Lacombe’s annual indie musical festival featuring local talent stroke a chord with fans over the weekend.
Presented by RGB Productions, the eleventh Alberta’s Own Independent Musical Festival enlisted 40 bands in what is known as Alberta’s hub for some of the best and brightest rising stars.
“The beauty of this event is we see a lot of different people each day whether they are interested in rock, country, rap, rockabilly,” said Alberta’s Own volunteer and organizer Luci Henry.
“There is a plethora of genres at this festival,” she said, noting that the event sees approximately 3,500 people over the weekend.
“We are not in the huge numbers but this is more of an exclusive type of event. People like the idea of going somewhere where there isn’t 10,000 people.”
On Saturday some could barley contain their excitement for headliner George Canyon. The critically acclaimed High River native has sold over 300,000 albums.
“I am excited for all the bands but really excited to see George Canyon,” said festival-goer Jessica Grady, who was bundled up on Saturday.
From Sylvan Lake, Grady has been travelling to the festival for three years.
“It’s awesome every year and it’s great to support the community as much as possible,” she said.
Alberta’s Own owner Rob Bouvier says the show keeps coming back to Lacombe, his hometown, because it is central and not far from the highway.
“It makes a lot sense for it to be here,” he said.
“We have people who come here who haven’t missed a year.”
He says this year about 600 bands in Alberta submitted an application to perform at the festival.
“There is a lot of talent here and a lot of people don’t really know how talented these bands are,” he said.
“You think indie, you think amateur but these bands are professional and have been playing for years and years.”
While Alberta’s Own plans for big names such as George Canyon and Big Wreak, the festival is a venue for smaller bands making way, such as Mid-Upper Gunner.
As the girlfriend of Matt Macfie, lead singer of the band, Robyn Sarty danced along to the music on Saturday. She and Macfie previously lived in Lacombe where he operated a music store.
“It’s great to watch him and to see old faces here,” she said.
Performances ran from Friday until Sunday afternoon.
For more information, visit www.abown.com.
jjones@www.reddeeradvocate.com