Eventide Music Series returns to Centennial Square with free weekly concerts

The Eventide Music Series is one of Victoria’s favourite recurring live music events that happens every summer and it is back for another year! 

Eventide was started in 2014 by CFUV, the University of Victoria’s campus community radio station, as a way to showcase live music of diverse genres.  

This will be its 13th consecutive year, which includes 2020 and 2021 when artists were paid to livestream their sets. 

Every Wednesday, from July 8th to August 26th, there will be a free show in Centennial Square. 

Each week, different local music promoters have curated concerts spanning numerous genres, giving attendees a taste of something new every time. 

“Eventide has grown to really represent all the diverse genres, communities and groups that don’t normally get an opportunity to play in an outdoor free space that is funded by [the] city and non-profits,” said Troy Lemberg, music supervisor at CFUV.  

“Each curator often represents some niche community within Victoria’s arts ecosystem and we are giving them a platform and a space to celebrate their work they have done.”

Through the years, Eventide has only grown in popularity, becoming a mainstay of summer for many. 

Given that some of the evenings feature underground artists and experimental genres, Lemberg says this feels like a feat, and that he is proud to see some of Victoria’s most unconventional artists receive the recognition they deserve. 

“Even the weirdest and most esoteric evenings last year had crowds of 120-160, with additional people who are walking by and stick around for a portion of an act,” he explained. 

“Our busiest nights fill the square with 400+ crowds which could even be reaching 600.”

Above all, Lemberg noted that it has been such a pleasure to see Eventide grow, and in some cases witnessing attendees from previous years get up on stage and perform in a full-circle moment. 

Ultimately, this music series is about giving a platform to artists who may not otherwise get one. 

“It may not be for everyone every night but it is nice to see different scenes get their moment and be celebrated,” said Lemberg. 

Below are the lineups for all Eventide Music Series events this summer:

• July 8th: PINDN presents: Hasaatuk, Ay Lelum, PINDN & the Nation of Creation, Vanlene
• July 15th: Gigtoria presents: Slash Need, Hedonist, Dastard, Exotic Dancer
• July 22nd: Ready, Set, Sound presents: Concrete Vehicles, Savy, Small Pleasures, Fembite
• July 29th: Public Assembly presents: Meredith Bates, faun.a, Vonne, Linda Fox, Neighbourly
• August 5th: Cavity presents: Grave Infestation, Dungeon Serpent, Altered Dead, SKULL, Pepper Spray, Destructive Interference
• August 12th: Analog Burnout presents: Felisha & The Jazz Rejects, The Phigs, Thunes
• August 19th: Near Dark presents: Flesh Produce, Colin Fisher, Laminations, Still Depths 
• August 26th: CFUV presents: Hot Goss, Reveal Yourself, PC Dagg, tontoloop 

This year there is one notable addition CFUV is making to the music series: a stamp card!

This card will allow attendees to collect a stamp for each Eventide week they attend, with prizes for reaching certain numbers. 

Those who get their card stamped five-of-eight nights will get a limited CFUV merch item. Those who receive all eight stamps will get to curate their own radio show to be aired on CFUV.

CFUV is able to make Eventide happen through a partnership with the City of Victoria, which provides 75% of the artists payments on top of covering some other logistical costs. 

Lemberg says he and the rest of the CFUV team feel lucky the City has not decreased the funding for the music series, despite being under financial pressure this term. 

Check out one or all of this year’s Eventide shows and follow Eventide Music Series on Instagram for more details on each show!