Inside the Creative World of Bass Coast: Where Art, Music & Community Collide

Photo courtesy of Banana Cam

This summer marks the 17th edition of Bass Coast Festival, once again transforming the riverside landscape of Merritt, BC on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Nlaka'pamux and Syilx people into a celebration of music, art, and community expression. Widely known as one of North America's top boutique festivals, Bass Coast has carved out a unique space on the global circuit - not just for its cutting-edge electronic music, but for the intentional, immersive experience it delivers across every element of its programming.

An independently owned and artist-run event, Bass Coast continues to evolve while staying true to its core values: creativity, community, and curation. With a globally diverse lineup, large-scale interactive art, and a strong focus on education and connection, Bass Coast 2025 is shaping up to be another unforgettable year in the festival’s legacy.

Photo courtesy of Bass Coast Photo Gallery

The festival introduces a new theme each year that inspires visual expression and creative exploration. This year’s theme is WILD THINGS—a celebration of the bold, the chaotic, and the beautifully bizarre. In a world increasingly obsessed with perfection and uniformity, Bass Coast embraces the wild, the weird, and the wonderful. I can’t wait to see how this theme comes to life through costumes, installations, and stage design.

Photo courtesy of Bass Coast Photo Gallery

The Art

One of the most unique aspects of Bass Coast is its commitment to visual art. Each year, muralists are invited to contribute to the festival’s permanent mural collection—works that are reinstalled annually for all to enjoy. In addition, Bass Coast has been awarded $300,000 in funding to support its interactive art program, allowing both emerging and established artists to showcase large-scale, immersive pieces throughout the site. The result is a vibrant, ever-evolving landscape of creativity that rivals the festival’s music programming.

Photo courtesy of Bass Coast Photo Gallery

The Music

Bass Coast is known for its thoughtfully curated lineup that balances international talent with returning and emerging local artists. Headlining this year is trap producer G Jones, known for his genre-defying sound. From the UK, artists like Conducta, Main Phase, Cesco, and Mia Koden will bring UK garage and bass energy to the stages. INVT—known for blending techno, UK bass, tribal house, and Latin influences is another must-see act.

Don’t miss Bambii from Toronto recently awarded the 2024 Juno for Best Electronic Album of the Year for her EP Infinity Club. Returning local favorites include Sam Steele, The Funk Hunters, Rumpus, SkiiTour, Slynk, and co-founder The Librarian, all set to deliver unforgettable sets.

Photo courtesy of Bass Coast Photo Gallery

The Community

Beyond music and art, the weekend also includes workshops, wellness activities, and movement-based programming such as yoga and dance. The community is what truly sets Bass Coast apart: radically inclusive, deeply respectful, and endlessly creative. It’s a place where people are free to show up as their most authentic selves, co-creating an environment of connection, exploration, and mutual care.

Looking ahead to Bass Coast 2025, the festival continues to set the standard for innovation in music, art, and community experience. If you’ve been meaning to experience it, this might be the year to finally make it happen.

Article by: Christina Zhu 

City: Vancouver, BC

Festivals Attended: Tomorrowland, Shambhala, EDC, Beyond Wonderland, Envision & Veld 

Favorite Genres: DnB, Bass and House

Favorite Current Song: Zulan - Forever