Wavelength turns 10! And enters into a bold new era, closing the chapter on the organization’s defining Sunday night weekly to become mobile and monthly. Wavelength 500 (Feb. 10-14), our 10th-anniversary fest, is the epic five-night conclusion to the weekly series, including a packed night at Steam Whistle Brewing headlined by Holy Fuck, a one-night return to Sneaky Dee’s, and reunion sets by past WL regulars Rockets Red Glare, From Fiction and the Barcelona Pavilion. A special one-off edition of the ‘zine features stories and reflection by various scene participants as well as a list of every artist that played the first 10 years. The final night, Sunday at the Garrison, includes a surprise set by Owen Pallett, a spontaneous festival-closing set by the 2003 lineup of the Hidden Cameras, and teary, grad-party group hugs all around. You couldn’t make this stuff up.
After taking their first month off in 10 years, Wavelength returns in its new monthly format with an Images Festival collab (April 22 @ Workman Arts a.k.a. St. Anne’s Parish Hall) featuring Guelph’s multidisciplinary Polydactyl Hearts Collective, led by the founders of Kazoo! Fest.
Come summer, Wavelength tests out having a second annual fest. The first ALL CAPS! Island Festival is a two-day event at Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island (Aug. 7-8) that includes Canadian indie music icon Rick White (Eric’s Trip, Elevator) performing outside the historic “haunted” lighthouse, the Canadian debut of NYC art-rock duo Buke and Gase, and a closing set by Toronto blues-punk duo catl., complete with fireworks. Residents of the Artscape centre open their doors to attendees to explore and check out their artworks.
Memorable shows:
- Montreal avant-folk-pop band Elfin Saddle’s multimedia show WURLD on a bill that also includes burlesque troupe the Harlettes (WL 503, May 14 @ the Garrison)
- The Summer Courtyard Series features international heavy hitters like William Basinski, Frog Eyes, Grouper, and Pocahaunted (WL 504, June 10-16 @ Music Gallery)
- Wavelength’s first Pop Montreal showcase includes Rattail (featuring Jasmyn Burke, later of Weaves) and Doldrums (Airick Woodhead, formerly of Spiral Beach) (WL 508, Oct. 2 @ Cabaret Playhouse)