I find the rhetoric of taunting Canada as “the backwards Northern cousin” and subsequent attempts to refute the superiority of the U.S. in comparison downright pathetic. In fact, I usually don’t engage with it. However, after last weekend, I did swell with a little pride as Canada’s Bonnaroo-affiliated music and arts festival, Wayhome surpassed all expectations, especially after that insanely campy promotional video.
In a maddening swirl of chaos, my partner Matthew won VIP tickets from The Drake in the literal eleventh hour (I’m not even being hyperbolic here, it was truly 11 hours before we eventually departed for the festival). Over the course of four hours, we walked down to Queen St. West to pick up our tickets, procured liquor and beer, purchased groceries, washed our laundry and withdrew money from our respective banks. That chapter of my memoir will be called “A Maelstrom of Errands”.
Our VIP passes gave us access to VIP camping, a restored 1920s barn with an elevated viewing platform, art installations and a variety of amenities, and the VIP pit at the two largest stages. While we camped with our friends and fellow plebeians on the GA campground, we took full advantage of the VIP pits for multiple artist sets including Alvvays and Broken Social Scene. We watched Kendrick Lamar, completely awestruck and two-stepping like the white (and half-white) boys that we are from the VIP section at the Wayhome Stage. Overall, I did feel like a “very important person”, so thanks to The Drake for making me feel like a 6ix God!
Wayhome lived up to its name, given that this was my second, third or fourth time seeing a large majority of artists (e.g. Slow Magic, Kaytranada). There was a sense of familiarity and security in the roster, the same comfortable feeling I have when curled up on my couch at home.
I unfortunately didn’t enjoy this same comfort while resting at night. While the campsites were more than adequate, equipped with reasonably clean portable toilets and trailer showers, they were situated in a sprawling field with no hope for shade. An acquaintance spoke about her desperation for even a moment of shade, writhing helplessly in the small plain of shelter offered by her hatchback. I think I will chalk this one up to unpreparedness on my part, as opposed to Wayhome’s.
One of the more memorable moments from the weekend occurred at our first stop of the weekend: the Waybright Stage VIP pit. We were enjoying the witty ramblings of Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett when I noticed the indie pop duo Sylvan Esso standing behind us. For those of you don’t know, Matthew and I shared our first date at their September 2014 show in Toronto. I shared this information with them in a display of inarticulate fangirling and to my utter surprise, we received a shout-out during their set two hours later (“This song goes out to anyone who has ever taken a chance on an unknown band at the Horseshoe Tavern”). That was just the start to a weekend of unending feelings.
Other highlights include watching Modest Mouse perform “Float On” against the setting Saturday sun, ODESZA’s entire set, the sneak preview of new music by both Alvvays and Sylvan Esso, when Broken Social Scene played “Anthems for 17 Year Old Girls” and earning the title ‘DJ Manbun’ after stepping in to continue the 4AM dance party that had erupted at out campground on Saturday morning.
It seems as though the general consensus is that Wayhome was a major triumph and I’m inclined to agree. Logistically, aesthetically and musically strong, Wayhome has already announced its continued residency at Burl’s Creek in 2016. Take that, American superiority.
Did you attend Wayhome? How do you think it compares to its older brother, Bonnaroo or French second cousin twice removed, Osheaga? Let me know in the comments.
Millennial Abroad 