JunoFest is sweeping Vancouver this weekend, with over 100 bands playing 19 venues across the city.
The party started Thursday night with Victoria, B.C.'s Hot Hot Heat headlining a free outdoor show in the 800-block of Granville Street. The weekend-long party will culminate at Sunday's awards show and broadcast at G.M. Place.
The $30 JunoFest wristbands allow the wearer into any of the Friday or Saturday shows though tickets for individual shows are often available at the door.
With so many simultaneous shows across the city, careful planning is needed.
Here are some local up-and-coming bands that may just be future Juno winners:
Local act Bend Sinister, with heavy piano-infused rock, has been a buzzed-about band for the last few months. They will be opening Friday for the shout-along punk band Inward Eye, and Mobile, Toronto's well-established electro-rock band, headlining the show. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. at the Bourbon Street club (50 Cordova Street).
Local indie-pop band Said the Whale! is sure to draw Vancouver's scenesters to the Media Club, with Newfoundland's indie favourites Hey Rosetta! sweetening the bill as headliners. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Media Club (695 Cambie Street).
On Saturday, Vancouver's hip crowd will probably be at Biltmore Cabaret to see the energetic You Say Party! We Say Die! and danceable rock band Sex With Strangers. Doors open at 9:00 p.m. (395 Kingsway).
Down at Richard's On Richards, the crowd for Shout Out Out Out Out will probably be moving on the dance floor instead of silently judging the band and other crowd members. Shout's infectious electronica has gained the Edmonton band a world-wide fan-base. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. (1036 Richards Street).
For the full schedule, check out the JunoFest website.
