Guest Post: Phillips Brewery Backyard | Victoria, British Columbia by Melanie Ransome
We have a Guest writing in the Diary today! Melanie Ransome is the Head of Social Media and Marketing Communications for Rifflandia Festival. She has taken time out of her busy schedule and we couldn't be more thankful! Check out her post on Victoria, BC's Phillips Brewery Backyard.
{Feature Photo by: Sara Hembree}
Living and working in Victoria, BC, you learn two things pretty quickly: people love what they do and they want to share what they do with anyone they can. I am lucky enough to work for Rifflandia — a four day music festival which goes down in September of each year. While working with the company, I’ve learnt the importance of community and witnessed some pretty amazing collaborations. One of my favourites is the Phillips Brewery Backyard.
Disguised as a brewery parking lot by day, the Phillips Brewery Backyard has no problem transforming itself into an unforgettable outdoor venue. Set against the backdrop of one of the region’s favourite craft breweries, The Phillips Brewery Backyard has everything you need: world-class performances, top-notch production and some of the best beer in Canada (courtesy of Phillips Brewery, of course).
Its first run was in 2011 during Rifflandia Festival where Lyrics Born, The Coup and many other notable acts graced the stage — which, by the way, is the brewery’s loading dock! With a few more shows under their belts (Wintersleep and USS), Phillips Brewery was ready to really give the town something to talk about.
After a big renovation earlier this year, boasting an increased capacity, bigger stage and better layout, the Phillips Brewery Backyard was back in the game. To kick off the venue in grande fashion, Atomique Productions (Rifflandia Festival, Rock The Shores) and Phillips Brewery threw The Phillips Backyard Weekender — a two day festival featuring De La Soul, The Cat Empire, The Dirty Heads, Buck 65 and more. We’d love to illustrate every detail, but you should really just watch this…
Just when you thought this venue couldn’t get any more legendary, Rifflandia Festival 2013 happened. This meant big things for the Backyard. James Murphy and Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem / DFA Records) performed DJ sets, Action Bronson carried on the 2 High 2 Die tour and Souls of Mischief graced us with their celebration of 20 years since 93 ‘Til Infinity.
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What did you think comparing it to Rifflandia 2016? If you we’re there
Wish I could say! Wasn’t lucky enough to be there.