Bass Coast Saves the Rave

The Cabin Stage at Bass Coast. Captured by Banana Cam Photo.

The population of the small town of Merritt, BC nearly doubles for four days in July as close to 7000 festival-goers set up camp at Bass Coast each year. The picturesque location nestled amongst the Coldwater River makes for a setting nearly as magical as the festival itself. Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2023 is an impressive feat for the boutique festival, especially as the music festival industry at large struggles to survive. Music Festivals across the world continue to face challenges in a post-COVID world. As the cost of living and travel climb, festivals become less accessible for organizers, artists, and attendees alike. Several local festivals including FVDED in the Park in Surrey and Merritt’s own Rockin River Fest all announced cancellations this year due to financial challenges. These circumstances make the organization of Bass Coast even more impressive. You won’t find any corporate sponsorships or brand activations on the grounds. Beyond a few campground upgrades and artist areas, there are no VIP tickets or exclusive areas. The result is a festival that feels uniquely egalitarian, with artists, staff, volunteers, and attendees rubbing elbows on the dancefloor. With the majority of funding coming from grants and ticket sales Bass Coast truly becomes “The Little Festival That Could” amongst an industry gasping for air.

Mat the Alien and Andrea Graham aka The Librarian. Captured by Banana Cam Photo.

The annual line-ups, which boast over 100 international names, rising local talent, and returning festival favourites, are curated by co-founder Andrea Graham, aka The Librarian, and Vancouver-based DJ Max Ulis. This year’s big names included CloZee, Move D, Hamdi, Black Loops, and Justin Martin. A commitment to a diverse and inclusive line-up makes for a truly special celebration of cultures and genres. One of the most memorable sets of the weekend was provided by Marcellus Pittman, who gave the crowd a history lesson on house music and the Black artists who invented the genre, the impact of which transcends far beyond the dancefloor.

CloZee sets off the Main Stage. Captured by KC.

Commitments like these make Bass Coast so much more than a music festival. Harm reduction, community-building, and sustainability are built into the ethos of the event. Workshops at The Brain touch on topics from biodiversity, mental health, exploring gender identity and queerness, and more. Harm Reduction Manager and Director of Education at Good Night Out Vancouver, Stacey Forrester, has developed one of the best festival harm reduction strategies in the world. The full program ranges from preventing sexual assault to the safe consumption of substances through education and on-site drug testing. The team’s scope spans beyond just the attendees to the protection of the wildlife and communities that depend on the neighbouring Coldwater River. Beyond the music and workshops are over 60 art installations, yoga classes, and even a full-service spa next to the Slay Bay stage if you’re in need of some R&R. The level of thought and effort put into the organization of the festival by staff and volunteers is evident on nearly every corner of the grounds down to unexpected Easter egg moments like a porta-potty decorated as a shrine to Nicholas Cage. It’s hard to even fit a fraction of these experiences into just four days, which means each year there’s plenty more to discover.

Art installations by Handsome Tiger light up the forest at night. Captured by Banana Cam Photo.

It would be impossible to truly capture the magic of Bass Coast without mentioning the festival-goers themselves. The commitment to costumes and decorations, many displaying this year’s “Avant Garden” theme, bring the grounds to life. From impromptu freestyle competitions while walking back to camp or dodging RC racers on the riverside there is no shortage of entertainment provided by attendees both on and off the festival grounds. Many festival-goers return year after year, which fosters a sense of culture, community, and inclusion on and off the dancefloor.

Festival-goers recharge between sets with some yoga at the Slow Tempo stage. Captured by FOTO.

Outdoor events of this scale certainly don’t come without their challenges. Like most festivals across the world, Bass Coast was on hiatus during the pandemic. The floods in the area in 2021 nearly led to the cancellation of the 2022 event. This year’s high winds and risks of thunderstorms may have disrupted some stages temporarily, but overall the event went off largely without a hitch. The effort of the organizers, staff, and volunteers to produce an event of this scale given the harsh climate and lack of corporate sponsorship is nothing short of extraordinary.

As the world becomes increasingly polarized the dancefloor remains one of the greatest equalizers we have. Events like Bass Coast remind us of the importance of coming together to reconnect with ourselves and others through a common love of art and music. As this little festival in Merritt continues to gain traction across the globe there’s no doubt that attendees have plenty to look forward to in the years to come.

Article by: Erin Holdbeck