Review: Awakening Music Festival

Awakening Music Festival Review

Good people, fun times, great venue, and lots of laughs are just a few of the things you will find at Awakening Music Festival. Just north of Chetwynd, BC. Over the weekend, some really cool things happened, lots of friends were made, and some may be skeptical about this one, but enough people have seen it to make me believe there was a ufo in the sky.

After a good 10 hour drive from Kamloops, we had finally made it to the festival grounds. Upon arrival they were testing the visuals on the main stage. Astounding to say the least. The pyramid design was great and the video mapping done by Wax Candy was the icing on the cake. The main stage was rigged with an array of lighting & AV magic. Well worth the drive. Check out the images below.

This stage had it all. Great sound system, awesome dance floor with level ground (which is key in my opinion), a nice chill area off to the sides to take a break, and a wicked area for the artists backstage to have a good time. The sound system was nothing short of spectacular.  Twenty 18″ PK sub woofers to make sure you feel the music, and of course the stacks of tops to each side. Needless to say, my first impression of the festival was pretty good.

Walking down the path towards the vendors, the pushed over bunches of long grass make it feel as though you are walking on clouds. I gotta say, this was definitely a nice feature walking back to the camp after a long night of dancing. We get to the vendor village and pass food, free water, vendors selling jewelery, candy, and various other things. To top it off, there was live live glass blowing as well. The village wasn’t too far of a walk from the camp or the stages, with well priced food and souvenirs.

Continuing down the road, we are off to the Magic Kool Bus stage. Buses have been converted into lounge areas to allow people a bit of escape when they need it. Through the trees and to the stage which is built on top of a different bus, standing about 20 feet off the ground. The white background made a nice platform for video mapping, there were poles for the ladies to dance on at the front, and tons of visuals set up through the trees. Not quite as even as a ground as the main stage, but just as good of a dance floor, and lots more areas to chill off to the side when you need a break.

On the far back side of The Magic Kool Bus stage there was a trail. Go left, and you are on your way to the river and the beach stage. Take a right, and you will come across first aid, a hookah tent, and eventually come out behind the main stage. The trails were lit up with led lights, flashing and changing colors. Signs spread across all of the trees and various decorations along the walk. A hidden trail which loops around off to the side which had a gong part way through. The layout of the whole festival is really quite nice.

Heading down towards the river and the beach stage is a bit of a journey, but makes getting to the water that much better. In a nice calm environment, the river is flowing at the perfect speed to swim if you choose to brave the chilly north waters. There were calm spots to put your lawn chairs in and relax, a log to jump off, and a plethora of flat rocks to skip across and down the river. Not to mention, the dj’s were providing proper vibes.

The beach stage was top notch. Great vibes, great music, and quality artists. Below you can see a picture of the beach stage with Stickybuds and JPOD jamming out some proper vibes in a beach hut looking stage, while people out of view of the camera are enjoying their time in the river.

In all, I am very pleased with the way Awakening Music Festival went. I can’t wait to go back next year and I hope this article has convinced you to do the same. Big shout out to Nigel Rimmer and Curran Furry for organizing the event, and the team that helped them make it the fantastic time that it was. Show some love to Awakening Music Festival at the links below and don’t make the foolish mistake of not attending next years event! It’s going to be another one for the books!

Photo Credit

Ramlah(Ra) Osiris Stoyka is an Edmonton, AB Photographer specializing in event, and nature photography, as well as fire-prop performance, landscape, family, and portrait photography. I started shooting at a music festival in 2011 and quickly fell in love with the freedom and joy of random pictures gathered from random walks in.. . that direction.The next summer i did five music festivals. Clearly hooked. As time passed I evolved into other areas of shooting as i learned more about photography as well as developing a greater passion for it. I still enjoy the casual walk through nature or concrete on the prowl for that random lining up of symmetry ill see as my eyes find an angle, and lighting that speaks to me. These days i accept any challenge set in front of me will the fuel to provide exemplary art.

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