The American (May 24-27) has been a destination for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»music lovers for the past 10 years. We talked to locals who are making the 457 km trek.
Christine McAvoy, 28
Freelance Photographer
Indie Music Editor at
Sasquatch years: Four (non-consecutive).
Why do you like to go? Its the perfect way to start the summer festival season off. If youre lucky its usually warm and sunny at The Gorge and you get that feeling...a taste of whats to come.
Essentials to pack? Earplugs! Camera, refillable water bottle, a hat and sun screen, are all obvious choices. I also recommend a really warm sweater for at night, its crazy how much the temperature drops when the sun goes down, you need layers!
Favourite memory? The very first year I went was the year of the big hail storm. We were sitting on the hill in the sunshine and I looked to my right towards the campground and this giant black cloud of doom was forming. It got closer and you could SEE it raining sideways on the tents, moving closer and closer to the hill. We got SOAKED. People were running around naked, Neko Case had to stop her set, and it hurt! After they let us all go get dry clothes, I remember watching Matisyahu and this giant rainbow appeared. He stopped the song to tell the Bible story about the meaning of the rainbow.
Who are you most excited to see in this years lineup? Im all about the Yeti stage.I love seeing the CanCon bands, supporting them on the smaller stages or early in the day (Bear Mountain, Shad, Wake Owl), and Im a sucker for the comedy tent. Ive seen some of my favourite comedians there over the years. I still cant believe Nick Offerman is going to be there.
What song can you not wait to dance to? Im definitely not the wild/crazy/typical festival goer, especially since Im in the photo pits half the time, but HANDS DOWN Bear Mountain will be a huge dance party. Mark my words 1pm Bigfoot Stage on Saturday. DO NOT MISS IT.
How do you survive 4 days camping? I wish I could call what happens at Sasquatch camping.' Yes youre in a tent, but it doesnt have the traditional camping feel. My best idea ever was buying cheap champagne somewhere along the way and making Mimosas in the morning. So many people start drinking early...class it up a bit and get some vitamin C in you at the same time! Oh, and premier camping all the way. That shuttle at the end of the day is your best friend.
To someone who has never been, describe the Gorge: Breathtaking insanity. The Gorge is probably one of the most epic and beautiful venues Ive ever been to, the view alone is worth the trip, and you juxtapose that with people in crazy outfits, partying their butts off for four days.
What are some other music festivals you love? Im a festival junkie. Im heading to NXNE in Toronto in June, then its Tall Tree, Keloha, , Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Folk Music Festival, Squamish Valley Music Festival, and Rifflandia. Its a nice balance of home-and-away, and you get into what is known as festival mode...little sleep, lots of BBQ food items and being dirty all the time.
This years line up is fantastic, but who would be your dream headliners for next year? Sasquatch is usually good with including some bucket-list bands for me (like Tenacious D last year)...if they keep up with the Canadian music and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»bands I will be very happy. That said, David Bowie. Mind would be blown.
Favourite thing about the 5-hour drive? Trader Joes for good-for-you foods and Costco for bulk junk-food items and 24 packs of beer for $24. That and those fake wild horses on the hilltop...I think they got me 3/4 years, thinking they were real. Now I just look for them and know that were close to the festival.
Greg Hoekstra, 30
Communications
Sasquatch years? Three.
Why do you like to go? The Sasquatch trifecta: great music, great people, great scenery.
Essentials to pack? Peanut butter, sun block, back-up sunglasses (you will lose at least one pair).
What are some items youve brought before that you now know to leave at home? My dignity.
Sasquatch highlight? Watching Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears perform on the Yeti stage. It was one of those unexpected festival surprises, and halfway through their set, a giant toilet paper fight erupted in the crowd.
Who are you most excited to see in this years lineup? The xx at the Gorge will be something special.
What song can you not wait to dance to? I dont know if it will make me dance, but Im really curious about the 3D set by Primus.
How do you survive 4 days camping? Eat bananas, drink Gatorade, and use wet naps liberally.
Describe the Gorge: The closest you can get to a perfect music venue.
What are some other music festivals you love? I tend to stay close to home. I try to support local festivals when I can, including the and .
Dream headliners for next year? Neil Young, Radiohead, Ray Lamontagne.
Favourite thing about the 5-hour drive? Driving through , a bizarre little Bavarian mountain town in the middle of nowhere.
Dave Childs, 29
Australian sign language interpreter
Musician
Sasquatch years: This is my first!
Why are you going? Lured by an endlessly epic lineup.
Who are you most excited to see in this years lineup? Mumford and Sons, Father John Misty and Aussie rocketeers Tame Impala.
What songs can you not wait to dance to? Mumfords whole set. I saw them at Splendour in the Grass back in Australia and their energy is feverishly infectious.
How do you survive four days camping? With a loose grasp on your dignity.
What are some other music festivals that you love to go to? Havent been to any other festivals here in Canada but my favourites from back home are Splendour in the Grass, and Big Day Out is fun for a frolic.
Dream headliners for next year? Where to start! I would love to see the local talent of Feist, Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene again. Grizzly Bear, Battles, Bon Ivor, Dr. Dog and on and on...
Sibel Unlucay, Ageless
Teacher
Sasquatch years: This year makes one.
Why are you going? A few of my favourite things and people make it hard to say no.
Essentials to pack? Something noticeable so friends can spot you in a crowd.
Who are you most excited to see in this years lineup? Im most excited to see myself at the front of the shower and bathroom lines.
What song can you not wait to dance to? Anything by Empire of the Sun.
How do you survive 4 days camping? Eat peanut butter sandwiches and avoid mirrors.
What are some other music festivals you love? in Golden Gate Park. Two words: rainbow trees.
Dream headliners for next year: Big Boi, Daft Punk, and The Strokes for good measure. If Im really dreaming, Bob Dylan.
Favourite thing about the 5-hour drive? Interstate people watching accompanied by a Sasquatch mix tape.
Angie Michelle, 27
Student
Sasquatch years: This will be my 4th glorious year.
Why do you go? Why wouldnt I go? Amazing music, camping, and the most beautiful scenery you could ask for. Oh, and American beer of course.
Essentials to pack? Disco ball, rain boots, backpack, flashlight.
Favourite memory? MGMT in light rain during sunset, Foster The People and Band of Horses.
Who are you most excited to see in this years lineup? Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs & The Presets.
What song can you not wait to dance to? Garden, Household Goods (TEED) & My People (The Presets).
How do you survive 4 days camping? Being surrounded by positive, good people, always eating a healthy breakfast (Caesars and Mimosas) engaging in physical activity (ladder ball, dancing around) and most important, always having the best time ever!
What are some other music festivals you love? Coachella & Burning Man.
Dream headliners for next year: Daft Punk.
Favourite thing about the 5-hour drive? Eating snacks, listening to the bands you are about to see, and talking about previous years and favorite memories.
James Jupp, 28
Photographer
Sasquatch years: First time.
Why are you going? This years line up really caught my attention and I have wanted to go for many years.
Essentials to pack? Film+camera.
What are some items you now know to leave at home? At previous festivals Ive brought way too many clothes. Less is more.
Who are you most excited to see in this years lineup? Tame Impala has my vote.
What song can you not wait to dance to? Helicopter by Bloc Party.
How do you survive 4 days camping? Water, trail mix, apples, and mini donuts when it comes to eating. I tend to always find some sort of body of water to bathe in wherever I go.
Other music festivals you love? Glastonbury.
Dream headliners for next year: Nicolas Jaar, Animal Collective and David Bowie.
Shereen Jamil, 21
Freelance Journalist
Model
Sasquatch years: First time!
Who are you most excited to see in this years lineup? Im really excited to see The xx, Arctic Monkeys and Sigur Ros.
What songs can you not wait to dance to? The Lumineers Ho Hey.
How do you survive 4 days camping? Dry shampoo, fresh fruit, mini BBQ and good company.
Other music festivals you love? Lollapalooza!
Dream headliners for next year: Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Favourite thing about the 5-hour drive? Music, sun shining and my man.
Tips FROM :
Hot and cold showers are available ($3)
Alcohol is permitted within your campsite, but no open containers or alcohol consumption allowed in public areas or roads.
The store has a variety of beers, wine, soft drinks, snacks, ice & some items you may have forgotten (sunblock, basic toiletries, etc).
You can bring a small camera with no zoom, lens or flash, one 20-oz, factory sealed bottle of water, a small bag or backpack and a small (1 gallon), clear bag of snacks.
Outside alcohol, lawn chairs and coolers are not allowed. More at .
Getting there FROM VANCOUVER:
Take I-5 south to I-90 eastbound. Follow I-90 east to exit #143 Gorge Amphitheatre. Follow Amphitheatre signs for roughly 6 miles. Approximately 5 hours total.
You can follow music reporter Kelsey Klassen on Twitter .
