Must-See Khatsahlano Acts

We are so excited for Khatsahlano Music Festival, it’s getting debilitating.

But if there was ever a time to apply the word “stoked,” it’s in relation to this: Vancouver’s biggest, free-est, outdoor music festival, stocked with amazing local acts to catch playing en plein air in the ever-groovy atmosphere of West 4th Ave. Want to know where we’ll be hands-up, eyes-closed partying? Check out three Khatsahlano acts we can’t wait to catch:

Humans: Locals Robbie Slade and Peter Ricq make synth-y electro pop with an intoxicating balance of mellowness and grunge. Since forming in 2009, the duo has prioritized the danceability of their tracks, perfecting big wavy swells of lazy bass that compel shoulder swerving. Their legendary live shows are all about getting the crowd in motion. Listen for the infectiously funky “Bike Home,” and the band’s sexy remix of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Games.”

Young Braised: This glassy-eyed white boy rapper is going to put on an extremely fun show. Young Braised has just the right sense of self-awareness, loopy humour, and genuine talent, laying down rhymes rife with smartly funny references. Songs like “Murakami” and “Opacity” are laconically groovy and sub-aquatic, whereas “Snack City”? Hilariously awesome. 

The Grapes of Wrath: The Grapes of Wrath are what West 4th Ave sounded like in the sixties. Don’t ask me how I know that, it’s just an instinct. Influenced by acid-era Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel, the band started out in Kelowna in the seventies and went multi-platinum with their summery hits. High Road is their first album in 22 years, and it’s gorgeously, lushly, perfectly retro. Listen to “Mexico” in the July dusk and feel nebulously nostalgic and happy to be alive. —Adrienne Matei

Khatsahlano Music Festival runs Saturday, July 12th, on W. 4th Ave. from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., www.khatsahlano.com. Visit the Vitamin Daily booth for contests, snacks from Vega, marshmallows and more this Saturday!