Live, In Review: Big Winter Classic
Live, In Review: Big Winter Classic
Words By:
Clay Geddert
&
Krystle McGrath
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The pandemic has been long, we’ve all waited patiently through countless waves of illness and the impositions on our lives that ebb and flow with no end in sight. Optimism has given way to apathy, hope for a ‘return to normal’ has waned to adjusting to the ‘new normal.’ The same is true for the live music, but more specifically, the Big Winter Classic. Postponed due to the fifth wave, The Big Winter Classic found itself in the throes of pandemic uncertainty as it planned around new spring dates. Despite all of the uncertainty, nothing pulls the mini beanie-wearing said indie-boy out of his depression pit better than the promise of live music - so I pulled on my beanie, saddled up my fixie, and pedalled down to the brew pub in the hopes of kickstarting some spring positivity with some musical catharsis. The sheer number of acts at the Big Winter Classic was nothing short of daunting, but the freedom to wander between stages gave plenty of opportunity to feel out the bands and find the spot that most interests you. On my first night there, that’s exactly what I did. (CG)
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There are so many things to see and hear over the course of these weekends there is no possible way to do it all! Ian of St Arnaud says, “Big Winter Classic is a big, fun party with all your best music friends from across the country… [and] despite only getting to spend a short while [at the fest] it felt like we got to see three fests in 6 hours” and this is exactly it. I know I rushed around venue to venue to venue and feel like I didn’t see the half of it! There are so many good options and good people, so many cool backgrounds, set designs, and artistic choices. The fashion, the sounds, the BEER. It’s genuinely such a good, fun time. (KM)
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Thursday, March 31 - I found myself bouncing between stages at Last Best. There I found new acts stretching their legs, shaking the rust, and finding their footing on stage. The crowd was forgiving and enthusiastic. Despite it being a school night, I was pleased to find crowds eagerly lined up at the front of the stage, no bands had to fear going on in front of a lacklustre audience. Clea Anaïs did an especially great job stirring the crowd and leaving their mark. Sultry and sensual tones reverberated through the Last Best Patio as jangling guitar sang alongside saxophones and Clea’s smooth vocals – I was shocked to stumble into a show so moving on my first night at Big Winter Classic. (CG)
Clea Anaïs (Photo By - Erin Prout)
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The rush and the adrenaline of non-stop music, people, and friendly faces is an experience that is vital to the human experience. Paris of Paris Pick knew exactly the feeling when she said, “It felt like both the artists and the attendees needed this event more than ever”. Because there is no replacement for the experience and fulfillment of seeing live music again and dancing the night away with friends, new and old. When you are watching a show, entranced by the performance, and standing amongst people that you can’t believe love the same things you do; well, it’s hard to describe the feeling. It feels right. It feels like you have found a place that you belong and that is happy to have you there, a part of its beauty and community. It’s like taking a warm blanket right out of the dryer and wrapping it snug around yourself after a long, cold, rainy day. Essentially – it’s the best. (KM)
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Friday, April 1 - A new offering for the BWC is the comedy night, and I couldn’t have appreciated it more. It offered the perfect opportunity to loosen up before the music with some beverages and a chuckle or two. Local drag phenom Karla Marx dominated the stage and was a stand-out crowd favourite – this, despite being a trans drag comic in front of a crowd of plaid-clad beer-drinking Albertans. I found myself seeing a lot of music on this night (including the face-melter of a headliner, Starcrawler) but more than anything I was impressed most by the honest and raw country poetry of Heather May. (CG)
Heather May (Photo By - Rhys Masrani)
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Steph Love of Krill Williams says one thing she loves about BIG is getting to “discover some bands [she] hadn’t heard before and make new friends who share a love of music”, and in a period of time that has felt so isolating, lonely, and cold for a lot of us, this burst of familiar warmth of friendships and shared passions is a breath of fresh air. A revitalization. And a reminder that there are good things left to enjoy – and enjoy at the same moments, in the same places, all at once. “It’s a safe space for people to get together and collectively enjoy some good tunes” Kenz of Krill Williams says. (KM)
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Saturday, April 2 – The night I had been waiting for. Plenty of impressive acts on the bill, but nothing excited me like TEKE::TEKE. I started my day with Chad Vangaalen, by far one of the most anticipated acts of the festival. It’s been years since he has graced the stage, and it should go without saying that you should jump at the opportunity to see the infamous recluse. While his rust was apparent, he had the crowd wrapped around his finger as his band plodded along confidently. Just as impressive and even more energetic was his opener who should not be ignored: Sunglaciers. They dished out vibes not unlike the 2022 internet heroes Wet Leg. After CVG I had to make a pit stop at Joe Vickers at Broken City, a must-see for any prairie country lover. Pure story-driven country with energy that was rather shocking considering their lack of percussion. But it was time for the show that really brought me here: TEKE::TEKE. In 2021 found myself agog at the sound of their latest album, and they brought the same Jazz X Tarantino energy to the stage without missing a beat. Jazz fills every corner as 50s guitar twang drives the engine. Filling the rest of the space is soft, airy, wistful vocals that dance all around like a fluttering butterfly. The energy was palpable from front to back, but describing it is as futile as trying to describe their genre. I left that show absolutely buzzing, nearly unable to sleep as their melodies bounced around my skull late into the night. I carried that energy into the start of my week and looked ahead eagerly to the following weekend, until:
Tuesday, April 5 – positive Covid test. I guess the pandemic is still here. At least I went out to the sounds of TEKE::TEKE, it was definitely worth it. (CG)
TEKE::TEKE (Photo By - Sara Grawbarger-Kuefler)
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For me, Big Winter Classic is something to look forward to every year. I know I will go and get to hang out with some great friends and meet new people that are even cooler than I could have imagined. Plus, I saw over 15 bands in the three weekends the festival took place this year. I even got to see comedy, which was an awesome new addition to the programming! No BIG experience is ever the same, it is a choose your own adventure. You can choose the venue you want to go to, you can choose the bands you want to see, you can choose the drinks you want to have (or choose not to drink!). There is no wrong way to do BIG. Everything is so close together that you just start walking and see where your feet end up taking you. No matter where that is, you know you’re going to have a laugh and at least a couple new memories. I hope to go to BIG every year, and I hope to see more people there too! As my good pal, Mackenzie Fraser, said, “Big Winter Classic lets you feel like you belong, you are safe, and you’re among cool people as you frolic around…it is a sparkly, bright light in our YYC community!” (KM)
Clay Geddert
&
Krystle McGrath