Bass Coast: A First-Timer’s Journey Into North America’s Most Intimate Festival

Words by Christina Zhu

Photographs by Noah Bouwman

Bass Coast continues to hold its place as one of North America’s most respected boutique festivals, and now, after attending for the first time, I understand why. This isn’t just about music, it's about community, art, and the kind of intentional experience that stays with you long after the weekend ends.

What sets this festival apart isn’t its size, but how thoughtfully curated every part of the experience feels from the start. You can sense the openness in the energy, and there’s a shared respect for the space, the art, and one another.

“The energy this year was extraordinary, and you could feel the space to explore, engage, and recharge. The scale allowed the art to breathe and the festival to flow. We’re preserving that by keeping capacity limited in 2026.” says Liz Thomson, co-founder and art director.

Atmosphere, Art, and Community

Everywhere you look, there’s something to explore. For those who live for detours and discovery, Bass Coast is a side quester’s dream. The grounds are filled with interactive art, live painting, and creative encounters that constantly pull you in as part of the experience. During the day, you can catch artists mid-process, painting live under the sun. At night, the same pieces transform under lighting and projection, revealing something entirely new. It’s easy to lose track of time wandering through it all.

One of my favourite art moments was stumbling into The Arena, where Callan Schaub, a multidisciplinary artist known for his spin painting, was performing live. Watching him pour and swirl paint on a massive spinning canvas, with bass music in the background, felt like a performance on its own.

Stages That Invite Exploration

Bass Coast’s stages don’t adhere to a single genre. You’re never standing in one place too long. One minute you’re caught in a deep bass set, the next you’re in the middle of a groovy house set or a live orchestral jam.

The Somewhere Stage was a standout for me. Draped in flowing white strings and yellow cloth, it swayed with the wind during the day. At night, it lit up beneath the stars, with the full moon often rising just behind the massive planet-like art pieces that framed the structure. It’s hard to put into words, but the atmosphere at this stage was unforgettable.

A personal highlight was Lazy Syrup Orchestra, a set full of life, groove, and live elements that elevated the energy. Main Phase also delivered a set that had the crowd fully locked in. And the Librarian’s set on Sunday brought out the whole Bass Coast community, a wonderful moment to be a part of.

Over at Slay Bay, it had one of the best energies of the weekend, with sets from Justin Martin and Rumpus that kept the dancefloor moving. Lots of UK artists are bringing the underground scene alive, including Cesco, Donna Dada and more.

The Cabin Stage had its magic, too. This was the place to be for sunrise sets and daytime hangs. I caught a sunrise set by Black Loops, and as the sun was coming up, it was a surreal feeling to be dancing with all your friends around you.  

Wellness, Balance, and Harm Reduction

Bass Coast isn’t just about music and art, it's also about care. I started my mornings with yoga, which felt like a much-needed reset after long nights of dancing. These quieter moments helped balance out the high energy of the dancefloors and made the weekend feel sustainable.

The festival’s approach to harm reduction also stood out. On-site drug testing, a sanctuary space for grounding and rest, and a clear emphasis on safety made it easy to feel supported throughout the weekend.

Final Thoughts

As someone who’s been attending festivals for over a decade, I came into Bass Coast with curiosity and left with a deep appreciation. This festival is curated with so much intention from the music programming to the art, the people, the layout, and the land itself. It feels small in the best possible way.

Bass Coast is one of the few festivals where the community feels like the main event. You can tell that many attendees have been coming for years, and they return for more than just the music; they return for the community.

The 2025 aftermovie is officially here, capturing the spirit, sound, and shared energy of our 17th edition. This short film offers a cinematic glimpse into the art, music, and community that came together in the Nicola Valley this July. Watch the aftermovie now.

---