Which Island Music Festival?

Save for the Skeleton Park Music Festival and Tomfest, Kingston does not have much in the way of outdoor music spectacles over the summer months. Thankfully, there are two outstanding festivals happening on the fringe of the Limestone City.  While both events feature a mix of local and out of town acts, make no mistake, they are starkly different.  The Wolfe Island Music Festival is an intimate affair that proudly features local, and independent artists, and it is listed by CBC Radio 3 as one of the top summer music festivals in Canada.  Conversely, the 1,000 Island Music Festival focuses on big name acts, which will attract an estimated 15,000 people per day.  Which island music festival is right for you?  Check out our guides below and let us know which festival you’ll be attending.

Wolfe Island Music Festival

A two-day festival, that comes with a scenic ferry ride to Wolfe Island, overnight camping, smaller crowds, intimate venues, and more local/independent acts.  Weekend passes are $35 per person.

Friday, August 7th
5pm @ The Island Grill (1222 Main St – map) featuring:  Bidiniband & The Billie Hollies (progressive, alternative, pop), Shade (alternative, pop, rock), The Gertrudes (ambient, folk), Harbour Sharks (hip hop, dub, funk)
8:30pm @ Town Hall featuring:  Sarah Harmer (folk rock, indie, pop), Rocky Roberts (Americana, country, rolk rock), Bahamas (folk rock)
10pm @ The General Wolfe (1237 Main St – map) featuring:  Woodhands (electronica, pop, psychedelic), P.S. I Love U (2-step, bossa nova, breakbeat)

Saturday, August 8th @ Marysville Baseball Diamond
12:30pm – El Skibo (ska)
1:15pm – Cherry Chapstick (glam rock)
2pm – Julie Fader (indie, acoustic, zouk)
3pm – $100 (country, Americana, progressive)
4pm – Attack in Black (rock)
5pm – Wintergloves (rock, pop)
6pm – The Rural Alberta Advantage (rock, acoustic)
7pm – Ohbijou (folk rock, pop)
8pm – The D’Urbervilles (rock, pop)
9pm – Busdriver (hip hop, ghettotech)
10pm – Holy Fuck (electronica, rock)

1000 Islands Music Festival

A three-day pop spectacle that’s being headlined by Snoop Doggy Dogg, with larger crowds, and fewer local performers.  Weekend passes, including camping, are $160 per person.

Thursday, August 13th @ the main stage
5pm – Emily Fennell (rock, pop)
6pm – Ianspotting (alternative, reggae, funk)
7pm – The Irish Descendants (celtic)
8pm – Graham Greer (country, pop, rock)
9pm – The Official Blues Brother Revue (blues, soul)

Friday, August 14th @ the main stage (unless otherwise indicated)
3pm – Arietta (pop, progressive, rock)
3pm – Walk Off The Earth (reggae, rock)
4:30pm – The Latency (rock)
4pm (second stage) – We Are The Take (rock, pop)
5pm (second stage) – The Warped 45’s (rock, Americana)
5:30pm – Stereos (pop)
6pm (second stage) – Randy and Mr. Lahey (comedy)
6:15pm – Plain White T’s (rock, folk)
7pm (second stage) – NLX (folk)
7:45pm – The New Cities (punk, dance rock)
8:15pm (second stage) – Randy and Mr. Lahey (comedy)
8:30pm – Faber Drive (pop punk, rock)
9:30pm – Simple Plan (pop punk, rock)

Saturday, August 15th @ the main stage (unless otherwise indicated)
11am – Motion Picture Ending (alternative, pop, rock)
11:30am (second stage) – The Free Press (pop, rock)
12:30pm (second stage) – My Favorite Tragedy (rock)
1pm – Pilot Speed (folk, rock)
1:45pm (second stage) – Hello Beautiful (rock, pop)
2:15pm – Lights (indie, pop)
3pm (second stage) – Amanda Rheaume (rock, pop)
3:30pm – illScarlett (pop punk, rock)
4:15pm (second stage) – The Arkells (soul, rock)
5pm – Ten Second Epic (rock, pop, breakbeat)
5:45pm (second stage) – KO (rap, hip hop)
6:15pm – Kardinall Offishall (rap, hip hop)
7pm (second stage) – Randy and Mr. Lahey (comedy)
7:30pm – Akon (hip hop, r&b, pop)
8:30pm (second stage) – The Joys (rock)
????pm – Snoop Doggy Dogg (rap, hip hop)