Review and Photos by Veronica Bonderud
The summer season has officially started in Victoria, British Columbia and Phillips Brewery knows just how to party. They open their doors to host a massive backyard party for music lovers and beer enthusiasts alike—and yes, beers are a must-have—at the back of their large-scale brewery.
Recently, Phillips Brewery has decided to host not one, but two Backyard Weekenders: Tilt from July 5th through July 7th and Reverb August 9th through 11th (named after two of their beers, respectively). The double weekender has been a massive hit for them. It has attracted big names for their lineup this year, including Orville Peck, Noah Cyrus, and Black Pumas.
Friday started with some local boys, OK Charlie. The first slot of the day is always a tough act, but this new-to-the-scene band handled it effortlessly. They had the crowd dancing and set the tone for the rest of the day with their fresh singles. Following them, the sister duo Vox Rea from Vancouver, British Columbia, kept the crowd dancing with their dreamy pop vibes. They closed their set with a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Chains,” which suited their style perfectly. The Vancouver representation continued with Hotel Mira, who kept the energy high with their indie-rock stylings. Their energetic frontman, Charlie Kerr, felt like a mixture of Gerard Way and Brendon Urie, bringing me back to my angsty teenage days locked in my room, blasting MCR and “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.” In reality, he’s a sweet and quiet guy. I caught up with him after the show, and he mentioned how he comforted a fan as she was crying and said, “I’ve really never had that happen before!” These guys are tight, edgy, but truly lovable, and they put on a killer show.
The headliners of the evening were Half Moon Run, another Canadian gem from Montreal, and Saint Motel. It had been a while since they had been in Victoria, and the crowd was ready to sing along; they knew every word! Saint Motel had only been to the city once before but were greeted warmly. Their songs are catchy and upbeat, and they have a fantastic and quirky presence on stage, making you smile and dance. Playing hits such as “Sweet Talk,” “Move,” “My Type,” and “Ace In The Hole,” they set the bar high for the rest of the festival and got everyone in the mood for the summer festival spirit.
Saturday was all about Hip Hop, R&B, and rap, much different from the indie-rock of the previous day. Canadian rapper SonReal lit up the stage and maintained the energy from the previous day. He ran around and amped up the audience, performing his hits such as “Can I Get a Witness” and “Everywhere We Go.” It was obvious that he truly loves what he does and songwriting. That was apparent when he grabbed his guitar and performed an acoustic set of a few songs, one even about his wife and daughter. The crowd absolutely loved it and hung on every word the poet sang.
Up next was Flyana Boss, two badass besties from Los Angeles. Bobbi and a very pregnant Folyan bounced back and forth, bringing a girly and sparkly vibe to their upbeat, quirky sound. These two besties genuinely enjoyed their time on stage, like real-life fairies, and Victoria fell in love.
Canadian R&B queen Jessie Reyez closed out Saturday with a captivating stage presence. Her hair cascaded down her back and in front of her face as she sang with her whole body. She affectionately told the crowd that she would “treat this show like a first date” and that “we’re really going to get to know each other.” This talented songwriter, known for singing about intense emotions and writing for artists like Dua Lipa, is raw with emotion and doesn’t hold back. She shared stories of couch surfing in Los Angeles, moving from Toronto with nothing, and trying to make a name for herself in music. Her duet “Healing” with SonReal by her side was followed by a story of staying on his couch, now a longtime best friend. She dedicated the last song of the evening, “Figures,” to the late Dylan Willows, a longtime radio host from Victoria who had just lost his battle with cancer. Willows was a true icon in the Victoria music scene, and his death deeply affected the town, which Reyez acknowledged. She was genuine, understanding, and compassionate, and Victoria fell even more in love with her after that night.
The final day of Tilt was a complete 180: “You’re in Rainbow Country Now.” It was fitting that Orville Peck was going to close the weekend, alongside his best friend Noah Cyrus, with Victoria’s Pride Parade that morning.
Goldie Boutilier and her all-female band delivered a beautiful mix of country and rock, infused with a touch of drama and 1960s glamour. They performed new songs including “The Actress,” “The Angel And The Saint,” and “Cowboy Gangster Politician,” all of which will be featured on her upcoming EP later this year. The set was beautiful and feminine, making me look forward to the release of the rest of the album.
Noah Cyrus graced us with her beauty next. She appeared in a tight, white latex dress and white fur boots, looking truly striking with her long black hair, tattoos, and calm demeanor at the microphone. She made it clear that she is her own woman, offering a different vibe from her sister, and her beautiful and haunting songs prove that. She has a natural bluegrass sound, complemented by strong and stunning vocals. However, don’t mistake her for a country singer; her songs blend country flow with pop and folk eloquence, setting her apart. The festival was mesmerized by her and her band, who provided full and tight support throughout her performance.
Our favorite masked cowboy, Orville Peck, took center stage to finish an amazing festival. He stepped up to the mic, looked out at the crowd, smiled, and said, “Hi! I’m Orville.” The crowd has not been alright since. Orville took us on a journey through his Bronco and Pony albums and seemed excited to be back in Victoria. He had been there the previous year and shared his fondness for the west coast, letting us know that Pony was recorded on Gabriola Island. He played hits such as “Outta Time,” “Big Sky,” “Dead of Night,” and “Daytona Sand.” Orville excitedly told us about his latest album, Stampede Vol 1, and how lucky he feels to have recorded with famous artists like Elton John and Willie Nelson. He then performed “Cowboys are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other,” a perfect way to celebrate Pride. On the topic of duets, he brought out his long-time best friend and our new favorite, Noah Cyrus, to sing their newest song “How Far Will We Take It?” This was their first time ever performing it live together, and they were both excited to share that moment with us. Finishing the night with “Bronco,” Orville gave the impression that he was born to do this and that being on stage is his favorite place in the world.
If this is just the beginning of festival season for Victoria, I can’t wait to be there for the next round. Next month, Phillips continues with Reverb, featuring Black Pumas, Current Swell, and Jungle, from August 9-11. Victoria sure knows how to throw a hell of a party, while still maintaining that festival family atmosphere. I have been attending the Phillips Backyard Weekenders on and off for almost ten years, and every time I return, I am welcomed with open arms by old friends and a big bear hug from festival producer Morgan Brooker. The Backyard Weekender is definitely worth the trip, with fresh beer on tap straight from the source, lots of Canadian bands featured, and music that everyone will enjoy.
Find tickets here: PhillipsBackyard.com
Support Dylan Willows’ family here: [Donate to Dylan Willows’ Family](https://www.dylanwillows.com/donate)
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