Heavy metal music is often viewed as a boys club. However, a new festival seeks to break down that perceived barrier.
Metalocalypstick Fest is a Western Canadian outdoor festival that just doesn’t celebrate heavy metal, but embraces the power of women in metal.
The festival recently announced its 2017 line up for Canada Day weekend, July 1-2, in Lone Butte, B.C. This year’s lineup features bands from across Canada and beyond with Cabrakaan (Toluca, Mexico), Sovereign Council (Kingston, Ont.), Violent Betty (Saskatoon, Sask.), Atmora (Windsor, Ont.), Scythia (Calgary, Alta.), Massive Scar Era (Vancouver, B.C./Cairo, Egypt) and many more.
“This year’s lineup is yet again a wide range of metal, everything from punk to folk metal,” said festival organizer Kaija Kinney. “There really is something for everyone here, and a chance to broaden your taste in music. Though we scaled back on our headliners this year, we did not scale back on the level of talent. We are super excited for all the bands playing. There will be some bands that blew us away last year returning and some amazing new talent from across the globe. You think listening to music on vinyl is heavenly? Listen to music surrounded by mountains.”
In addition to the festival celebrating women in metal, Metalocalypstick Fest gives back to the community by being a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and donating 100 per cent of proceeds to local charities Girls Rock Camp, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter, and Earth Protectors, plus sponsoring an independent band picked by Metalocalypstick Fest judges.
Formed in 2016 and based in Valemount, B.C. near Jasper National Park with the beautiful backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, Metalocalypstick was created to present a unique experience within the Western Canadian metal community, a gathering of similar views, aspirations, and musical taste.
The festival was founded by Kinney of Vancouver’s Anarcheon. After researching a lack of female-based metal festivals to apply to, Kinney took matters into her own hands and decided to produce the event.
“This festival means the celebration of both sexes coming together and creating something amazing,” Kinney said. “People like to say women in metal aren’t a big deal anymore and that we are all the same. I feel that is untrue — this is still a male-dominated world and women are still looked as lesser. I want to showcase all these ladies and celebrate the differences of men and women rather than pretend we are all equal. Truth is we are different why can’t we celebrate that?”
Tickets are available for $94.65 for a two-day general admission pass including camping, and $63.48 for a one day pass at www.metalocalypstickfest.rocks.