Incredible Weather, Even Better Music: Field Trip Day Two Rocks Toronto

The most important lesson of Field Trip, day two? Hold out hope.

What was initially projected to be a day filled with torrential downpour and booming thunder turned out to be one of the most beautiful days of the year so far.

There was not a raindrop in sight, or a single crack of lightning across the Toronto skyline.

With the sun came a scorching cast of music from artists of all different backgrounds performing their hearts out for a sea of eager fans.

Here’s everything you need to know about Field Trip day two:

Nefe

We’re going to say it: Toronto’s own Nefe is the reason the skies were clear yesterday.

Her warmth is unprecedented—fresh off of the release of her new Mama EP, Nefe’s deeply personal lyrics read like an open diary, and you can’t help but see yourself in her songs. The music is all her own, too: combining a gamut of influences, from John Mayer to Ella Fitzgerald, the earthy guitar tones and her soulful vocals break through the noise and deliver a punch to the gut. Nefe owned the Field Trip stage, her voice carrying across the tree line and across the Fort York grounds.

We have our suspicions she’s got way more tricks up her sleeve, and can’t wait to see what comes next.

Timber Timbre

Timber Timbre’s gothic take on folk and blues music is so unique that it sounds like it’s being transmitted from an alternate universe.

Sure, the quartet has the powerful ability to create wide expanses of dark clouds, but even at the bleakest moments, the songs will still envelop you with a sense of warmth. There’s a reason they’ve been nominated for the Polaris prize multiple times: powerful songwriting and haunting vocal delivery make a statement you’ll not soon forget.

James Vincent McMorrow

Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow is now four albums deep into his career, with We Move and True Care both arriving in the last year alone. He’s a busy man, but his passion for music is evident as soon as he hits the stage: his soulful voice stretches to breathtaking heights as he mans guitar, keyboards, banjo, and more. He’s known for folk anthems, but his recent work experimenting with R&B is a testament to his ability and drive to evolve.

If his electric set at Field Trip is any indication, we’ve seen just the beginning of James Vincent McMcorrow.

BadBadNotGood

Toronto jazz quartet BadBadNotGood has had an incredible 2017—from production credits on Kendrick Lamar’s epic DAMN. album and Freddie Gibbs’ You Only Live 2wice to scoring a feature from Snoop Dogg on the remix of “Lavender”, the members are on top of the world. Which makes a hometown show all the more exciting.

The complexity of their jazz arrangements is mind-boggling—keyboards, saxophone and bass licks weave in and out of each other effortlessly. And if the word ‘jazz’ scares you, it shouldn’t: BBNG has crafted an incredible sound that could serve as your Sunday chill-out playlist just as easily as it could soundtrack a kegger. You’ll hear electronica and hip-hop influences deeply embedded in the web of sounds.

These guys may only be in their mid-20s, but their talent is well beyond their years, which is only more evident watching them live. They’re a must-see on the festival circuit.

Feist

An appearance with Broken Social Scene was far from enough: Feist’s solo set at Field Trip gave us what we were pining for.

With new album Pleasure out for just over a month, it’s no surprise this was the focus. The minimal arrangements that allow Feist’s beautiful, angelic vocals soar across the sky left the crowd of thousands speechless. And when it came to fan favourites like “Mushaboom” and “I Feel It All”, she was more than happy to have the crowd sing along and amplify the elation.

Oh, and she’s incredibly funny too: improvising lyrics catering to the Toronto-centric crowd brought the laughs and the cheers. Music or not, Feist knows how to charm the hell out of us.

Phoenix

French disco-rockers Phoenix are veterans of the touring game: together since 1999, they cemented their status as a fantastic live act at Field Trip. And with a bevvy of new material from upcoming sixth studio album Ti Amo, the members were still fresh-faced, wide-eyed, and ready to prove they still have what it takes to get the crowd dancing.

Their set-up was out of this world: with a screen underneath their feet, and mirrors behind them pointing at a 45-degree angle, the images reflected off of the glass and hit the audience at different angles. No two spots in the crowd would’ve yielded the same experience. And when it came to running through staple tracks like “1901” and “Liztomania”, the visuals kicked into overdrive, providing the feel of an intimate disco club in the middle of a field.

At this rate, it feels like Phoenix will never have to rise from the ashes—they’re flying higher than ever before.

Take a look at the rest of our photos, and how we spent our amazing day, below:

Goodbye, lightning forecasts
Hello, sunshine! @nefemusic brought the good weather & good vibes to @FieldTrip pic.twitter.com/D3EIlLw6oS

— Universal Music CA (@umusic) June 4, 2017

We @hannahmusic!! Her set at #FieldTripTO has been amazing!! pic.twitter.com/nn7Ewcmuob

— Universal Music CA (@umusic) June 4, 2017

Getting in the GROOVE here at @FieldTrip thanks to @badbadnotgood #FieldTripTO pic.twitter.com/NrKmq1cBKI

— Universal Music CA (@umusic) June 5, 2017