This year I decided to check out as many bands as I could, like I do every year and come up with my own favourite picks of the weekend.

The music was more eclectic that ever before, having 4 stages for different kinds of music.

They had a small stage for DJ’s so they could bring in the dance crowd. The Main Stage was next to it, bringing in the bigger bands. You had the side stage for those edgier bands trying to make it to the main stage next year. Then you had the Barn stage which was our savior this weekend. It is the indoor stage for more folk, Country and experimental bands.

Since this weekend did bring a couple of torrential downpours, the Barn performers did benefit as people crowded themselves indoors to get out of the rain.

This really worked out for those artists as well as for fans that may have been looking to see a different band.  Well, they stayed and did enjoy what was happening on a rainy day. There were a couple of surprises for me as well.

So let’s get to it…

10-Peter Peres

Peter Peres was one of those surprises. He seems like a good ol’ Country boy. The added ingredient that made Peter stand out was his level of positivity. While most Country acts sing a mix of sad songs with a bunch of party songs, Peter took a slightly different route.

His constant level of happiness and joy as he sings becomes obvious, he loves what he does. His enthusiasm is infectious and you can’t help but cheer a guy like this on. You want him to write happier songs and to exude his high vibration as he projects himself into his words and actions.

This was a nice gift from the weekend.

9- Harkness

Here is another character that took over the barn stage. His unique presentation of wearing a purple onesie with futuristic glasses and guitars set on a stand gave this artist a mysterious flare.

Once he began with his futuristic opening, his pop sensibility took over.

His is an odd curator of experimental pop music has you scratching your head and tapping your feet at the same time. In fact, his music is so infectious you will have to go to a doctor to get a penicillin shot. His pop music can be compared to earlier pop legends but with a slightly techno funk groove to it.

8. Feura

Feura is a force!

Feura has pure punk energy, and she is not shy when using it at full speed. With her non-stop stage antics as she kicks high in the air, rolls around on the ground and can scream in your face, because she can, you don’t want to miss a moment.

She looked very comfortable playing the Main stage. I have seen her in clubs, but with her restless energy, she fits a larger stage much better.

7. Already Late.

This is a band that came all the way from New York to start making a name in Canada. They are a three-piece band that loves to play high energy music. I say music, because that layer in so many musical textures, you can’t give them a blanket title.

They have moments of Rock, Pop, Hip Hop and some Punk rock rolled into a tight reefer, what kind of high are you gonna get?

They even get a personal credit with Blast because they improvised a song about one of our members Dana, who helped us at the festival. What this video-  https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dcdp_wBhPOc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

6. Propter Hawk

I saw propter Hawk about 3 years ago, and the growth of this band surprises me still. The first time I saw them they looked unprepared. Today they are one of the best leading live bands in the club scene today. They are hitting a Rock-solid sound with raw precision. They feel like a solid roots Rock band that tips it hat to the Band. This festival they upped their status and added a horn section which really added a new dimension to their sound.

This is becoming a band that starts off strong and adds some sweetness to the end of their songs. They have the ability to hit you in that rocking soulful place and then get you up and dancing around.

5. Tony Rust and the Mudhorses

This was the first band to get my blood flowing at Gussapolooza. This band hails from Montreal and decided to see if they could add some new fans to their music. Well, they got at least one new fan. Watching this band live is a photographer’s dream. They carry a spark between each member of the band, and they feed off that energy to give us a great show as well as keeping themselves engaged in playing at a high and fun level.

They are a solid live Rock band with flicks of Country in their sounds. This is simply a feel-good band and it is apparent when you watch them interact on stage.

4. The Meringues

I caught the Meringues last year as we were leaving Gussapolooza . I stayed because the lead singer caught my attention. She is a young punk that purposely goes out and tries not to look pretty. She spills her guts out on stage and apologizes for none of it. She loves being that rude child that every parent wants to lock up when company comes over.

This year, her presence is even bigger and more in charge of her rude behavior.

They are definitely the most promising band and got to finish off the Saturday night lineup. That is a true honour in Gussapolooza.

The band itself being a punk band, has some pretty rocking chops. I could hear some Led Zeppelin and even Ace Frehley in some of the guitar parts.

The highlight of this performance was when the band brought on a huge fan and let him take videos and photos of the band while on stage. You can witness this cool moment on our YouTube channel-  The Meringues and their biggest fan on stage. – YouTube

3. Black Paint

Black Paint was the true surprise for me at this festival. From a distant I heard a noise and went to investigate. I walked in on a very raucous band flailing about and creating a wild sense of chaos. I moved closer and was hit with their wild vibe. This is a band where you have to get sucked into their vortex and just hang on for the ride.

Their stage presence has all the marking of those great live acts before they became too safe. There is some fiery blood pumping through these veins and the crowd was soaking it all in. You can see that in my video on Instagram-  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcV5qmhu89N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

2. Manic Boys and Girls Club

This is a band that I have my money riding on. I saw two years ago at Gussapolooza and they totally woke me up, and I have been following them around when I can.

This year they have come back as the big band winners from last year’s Gussapolooza.

When the lights went down and I could hear Bella singing, she was not on stage, she was walking through the audience letting us know she is still one of us-(Or Guss).

Once she hit the stage, she and her brother Fernandez pulled out their guts and spilled it on stage. The level of commitment this band is now bringing to the stage is bigger and only getting better.

When you explode confetti near the beginning of your set, you know you still have enough in the well to satisfy this crowd.

Last year Gussapolooza got to name a brand-new song, which they now could play for us with a solid title. They gave us a chance again, with another new song. If you went to meet them after the show, let them know your title and they will consider it for the new song. I overheard someone call it Pavement. Well, that title hit you in the face like a sidewalk.

We will have to wait until next year to find out the new title.

1. Feral Minks

This is a band that I have been watching since last year. I loved them last year. I saw them at NXNE and they kicked butt. Now they are back and they won “Band of the Year” and got the headlining spot on Saturday night. Thank you, Russ and Val for spotting great talent in your festival and promoting it.  The audience truly was in love with this band as they both danced and moshed around the stage to show them as much appreciation as possible.

I stood behind young women dancing and next to a bunch of drunken men moshing out their love. This band creates movement.

I look forward to see what they will do next.

In fact, I can’t wait to see what Gussapolooza will do next. They kept some of our favourites and opened the door to a bunch of new bands that want a shot at a devoted audience. If there is something about this festival, it is that they have extremely loyal fans. So, for you music lovers who love discovering new and different music, this is a festival worth checking out. You meet a lot of musicians, and you make a lot of new friends.