The team at Republic Live is excited. Ashley Capps from AC Entertainment is excited. And now music fans in the GTA are getting excited too.
The WayHome Festiva has been announced for July 24-26, 2015 at Burl’s Creek Event Park and has 47 names in the lineup so far.
With 5 months left until the gates open and thousands of people start filing into the park to see the stages and the music and the art we’ve decided that there’s no time like the present to start breaking down the music and who we’re going to see up on the main stage this summer.
So, today we’re here to look at the 5 headliners as outlined by the organizers in the press release we got while the 10am announcement was being made at The Gladstone Hotel on Tuesday morning.
Sam Smith
The 2015 Grammy darling is coming off a big high with his 4 wins… and this summer a whole lot of new fans are going to be looking forward to seeing Sam Smith up on stage for the first time.
The 22 year old will be using WayHome as a stop to promote In The Lonely Hour, but we wouldn’t be surprised if there are a couple new songs inserted into the set – it is 5 months away after all.
One thing is for sure, we’re going to hear the slow, somber ballads and thousands of people are going to be singing along, and that is one of the coolest things that can happen at any festival.
Kendrick Lamar
Another 2015 Grammy winner, Kendrick Lamar picked up 2 awards (Best Rap Performance, Best Song) and then dropped The Blacker The Berry on the world. If you haven’t heard it yet, check it out. It’s strong and powerful and screams “Black Lives Matter” without using the catchphrase.
There is no doubt that people will be excited for Lamar’s set – by all expectations it will be loud and lively and full of enthusiasm. Rap fans will be into it, and casual fans won’t walk away.
As a headline choice, 27 year old Kendrick Lamar is a good one. WayHome is showing that it isn’t just an indie rock or pop or rap festival – it’s a music festival and everyone is invited.
Alt-J
Currently touring their 2014 album, This Is All Yours, Alt-J will be taking the WayHome stage as indie rock darlings with the catchy Left Hand Free ready for the sing-along treatment from thousands standing in front of the stage.
With 2 full length albums and 2 EPs under their belts, there’s no worry about Alt-J having enough material to put together a solid and entertaining headline set at WayHome. But as relative unknowns to the general public (1 top 10 hit does not a known quantity make) we wouldn’t be surprised to hear a cover or 2 of either Brit groups that influenced the band or Canadian acts that will play well in front of the Burl’s Creek Event Park crowd.
Modest Mouse
Another indie rock act, albeit one with a hell of a 22 year long career to their credit, Modest Mouse will be showing up with a long list of tracks to play to the crowd.
With a new album, Strangers To Ourselves, dropping on March 17, 2015 this set will definitely be a showcase for Modest Mouse’s new music. But the fans will also expect (and rightfully so) to hear their favourites from the bands first 5 albums, and we’re sure they’re going to get them.
But with 3 singles already released from Strangers (Lampshades on Fire, Coyotes, The Best Room), don’t be surprised if WayHome is a new music heavy set for the band.
Hozier
The Irishman is red hot right now coming off an impressive performance with Annie Lennox at the Grammys. And honestly, if Hozier gets a stamp of approval from Annie Lennox, that should be good enough for the rest of us!
While everyone may spend the entire set waiting for Take Me To Church, don’t be surprised if you see heads bobbing and bodies swaying to songs like To Be Alone, From Eden and more.
His accent will make a lot of people weak in the knees, his songs will get people into the groove – and Hozier is a safe bet (in our eyes) for a highlight type headline performance at WayHome.
There are 42 other acts on the bill for WayHome 2015 – and we’re going to do our best to get through most of them between here and July 24… so stay tuned for more previews, news and all kinds of other great stuff from the GTA’s newest music and arts festival.
Be Awesome!
