Here are all the Victoria-based bands playing at Phillips Backyard this weekend

Phillips Backyard Music Festival is back for another year and the lineup is stacked with some of the best artists around, and the local musicians among them are not to be slept on.

This year, the Phillips Backyard concert will once again feature the Music BC stage, on which artists from throughout the province will perform. However, some local acts will also be playing the main stage this year as well. 

Some are from the mainland, some are from up-island and some are from right here in Victoria. 

Below are all the Victoria-based bands and artists to see at Phillips Backyard this weekend:

Nicky MacKenzie is a singer-songwriter who was born in Victoria, grew up on Salt Spring Island and is now based out of Victoria. 

Her music fuses soul, R&B and contemporary pop, and she is known for her personal songwriting and expressive vocals. 

MacKenzie first came into the spotlight of BC’s music scene when she became one of five grand prize winners in the Canadian Songwriting Challenge and was a contestant on CTV’s The Launch. 

She is also no stranger to the Phillips Backyard, having played there in both 2023 and 2024. This year, she will be playing the main stage at 6 p.m. on Friday. 

Blush. is an indie-alt Victoria band that blends shoegaze and 90s alternative rock accented with lush guitar textures and atmospheric synths.

The four-piece caught Victoria’s attention almost instantly when they started performing and have since released two dynamic EPs that have gained recognition throughout BC. 

This year will be Blush.’s debut on the Phillips Backyard stage. They will be playing the Music BC Stage at around 7:35 p.m. on Friday.

Carmine is a female-fronted, four-piece, powerhouse alt-rock band from Victoria who formed in 2024.

Since getting together, the band has been making waves in the scene and quickly built a reputation. 

Their early singles garnered them recognition as The Zone @ 91.3’s Band of the Month and they’ve since been taken under the wing of producer Mike Noble of Hotel Mira, who has helped the band continue to evolve their sound. 

Carmine played the Music BC Stage last year, but this year, they will be opening the day on the main stage at 4:30 on Saturday.

Jon and Roy are one of Victoria’s most famous musical acts led by longtime musical partners Roy Vizer and Jon Middleton, who is also a member of Ocie Elliott. 

The duo formed in 2003, blending folk, roots and soulful pop into a quintessential west coast sound. 

They too have played Phillips Backyard before and were even featured in the inaugural backyard showcase back in 2015. This year Jon and Roy will be playing the main stage at around 6:30 p.m.

Amulet is a Victoria-based four-piece alternative rock band influenced by the 90s alt scene and visceral pop. 

This will be their first time playing Phillips Backyard and they will be taking to the Music BC Stage at 4 p.m. on Sunday. 

In addition to these five local Victoria acts, there are plenty from Vancouver and elsewhere in the province playing this year’s Music BC Stage between headliner acts. 

Catch these bands as well as the big names like Chance the Rapper, Father John Misty, Modest Mouse, Wolf Parade, Angine de Poitrine and more this weekend at the Phillips Backyard Music Festival. 

The festival runs from Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 12th!

Although weekend passes and Sunday are sold out, there are still tickets available for Friday and Saturday via Phillips Backyard’s website.