A green music festival under the rainbow
Jul 31, 2008 - 04:30 AM
By William McGuirk
During the beginning of Hayden's Hillside set on Sunday last, a complete rainbow appeared in the sky above. Seven belts of colour reflecting the diversity of the people below.
All of the punters filing up the causeway for the close of the 25th anniversary of the eco-friendly three-day event stopped in awe. Instead of the storms which threatened all day, Mother Nature presented this gorgeous gift. A thank you perhaps to the organizers who have a grass-roofed main stage, a solar-powered stage, dishwashing services for reusable dinnerware and free water.
Or it could have been the presence of Tibetan monks who were in attendance or the Aboriginal sacred fire which burned for the three days. It could be that the festival is in Guelph with its glorious Church of Our Lady Immaculate which sits high on a hill overlooking the city. However one explains it, there is a spirit to Hillside, a sense of community that embraces all.
Hayden has been touring with Oshawa's Cuff The Duke as his band and Wayne Petti made note of the fest's friendliness, thanking the person who handed in his lost wallet, cash and cards intact.
The Durham Region crew was front and centre this year. Sarah Slean of Pickering played and Montreal's Islands, which closed Saturday night, gave a shout to The Magic which includes, on bass, Oshawa's Tim Bruton (D'Urbervilles). Lead Nick Thorburn called them a treasure. The Magic played a fantastic set earlier on the Island stage and have opened for the Islands before.
The Sadies, which we claim as D-Rawk, blistered in the sun. The goodfathers of Canadian bluegrass, the Good Brothers, also played. At the Gospel Hour Sunday, they joked about closing the bar the night before and still making it out to play with the likes of Sue Foley, Roxanne Poitvin and Old Man Ludeke.
But of the D-Rawkers, it is Ajax's Brendan Canning, of Broken Social Scene, who is riding highest. And jumping highest. BSS closed the festival which also included Ron Sexsmith, Cowboy Junkies, Bourbon Tabernacle Choir and Born Ruffians.
Canning has just released his solo record, Something For All Of Us, and that's exactly what the band provided. They played a selection from the BSS songbook including Fire'd Eyed Boy, 7/4 Shoreline and Cause = Effect. Andrew Whiteman of Apostle Of Hustle, Jason Collett were present but girls, Feist, Amy Milan and Emily Haines, were absent. Chris Brown sat in and Gentleman Reg joined the band on stage. Torquil Campbell of Stars was also there.
Selections from Canning's release included Hit The Wall, Love Is New and Churches Under The Stairs. A song that in honour of HIllside and its infamous hippie vibe could be renamed Churches Under The Stars.
William McGuirk is a freelance writer and longtime Oshawa resident. He can be contacted at wmacg@yahoo.com.
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