L.A. Witch, Wand, FREYA and Babe Haven electrifying Purple City year four Sept. 5-7
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Purple City Music Festival has announced its first wave, full of hot and heavy talent from across the continent on its way to downtown Dirt City Sept. 5-7.
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Holding the top spots (so far) are two delightfully sludgy indie KEXP-style legends, the surf-gothy L.A. Witch and L.A.'s psych-rock Wand.
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Legendary punk pioneers D.O.A. will bring their familiar crusty antics to the Purple lineup. And, more from California, dreamy Nuggets-compilation-vibing The Mystery Lights counter the wolverine-in-sheep's clothing metalcore punk of Babe Haven out of North Carolina — curated by year-round all-ages promoter Project 23.
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'When I first heard Mystery Lights,' says executive director Ryan Rathjen, 'I thought, it's produced so retro it literally sounds like it was made in the '60s. And Babe Haven are dressed up Chappelle Roan or whatever, but they're one of the heaviest bands going.'
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'She's a super amazing, boiler-room DJ. She kind of plays her show, sings, and then goes behind her decks and DJ and does all this crazy mixing stuff. Then she comes back out and plays — it's a really entertaining show.'
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Also in the first wave — 70 more of the 90-plus bands being announced in July — are metal scorchers FREYA, Seattle garage band Acid Tongue, darkwave return act Kontravoid, eletro-punk UNIITY, L.A. shoegazer Taleen Kali, New York's NUXX and Texas post-punk act Night Ritualz.
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Way more to come, but so far the locals include rare appearances by Faunts and the mighty James T. Kirks — both must-sees.
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Over 530 bands submitted from all over North America, up 100 from last year, Rathjen notes. 'We're starting to get traction in Austin, definitely New York, Seattle, Toronto.
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'We could easily have two Purple Cities, and it's been quite the task for the juries to get through it all.'
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This brings up the collective curatorial nature of the fest, now in its fourth year.
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'Purple City's ethos is collaborative in nature,' says Rathjen. 'We're trying to build community and just kind of signal boost what others are doing and trying to have more opinions to build something greater.'
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Calgary Herald
24-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
L.A. Witch, Wand, FREYA and Babe Haven electrifying Purple City year four Sept. 5-7
Article content Purple City Music Festival has announced its first wave, full of hot and heavy talent from across the continent on its way to downtown Dirt City Sept. 5-7. Article content Article content Holding the top spots (so far) are two delightfully sludgy indie KEXP-style legends, the surf-gothy L.A. Witch and L.A.'s psych-rock Wand. Article content Legendary punk pioneers D.O.A. will bring their familiar crusty antics to the Purple lineup. And, more from California, dreamy Nuggets-compilation-vibing The Mystery Lights counter the wolverine-in-sheep's clothing metalcore punk of Babe Haven out of North Carolina — curated by year-round all-ages promoter Project 23. Article content Article content Article content 'When I first heard Mystery Lights,' says executive director Ryan Rathjen, 'I thought, it's produced so retro it literally sounds like it was made in the '60s. And Babe Haven are dressed up Chappelle Roan or whatever, but they're one of the heaviest bands going.' Article content Article content 'She's a super amazing, boiler-room DJ. She kind of plays her show, sings, and then goes behind her decks and DJ and does all this crazy mixing stuff. Then she comes back out and plays — it's a really entertaining show.' Article content Also in the first wave — 70 more of the 90-plus bands being announced in July — are metal scorchers FREYA, Seattle garage band Acid Tongue, darkwave return act Kontravoid, eletro-punk UNIITY, L.A. shoegazer Taleen Kali, New York's NUXX and Texas post-punk act Night Ritualz. Article content Way more to come, but so far the locals include rare appearances by Faunts and the mighty James T. Kirks — both must-sees. Article content Article content Article content Over 530 bands submitted from all over North America, up 100 from last year, Rathjen notes. 'We're starting to get traction in Austin, definitely New York, Seattle, Toronto. Article content 'We could easily have two Purple Cities, and it's been quite the task for the juries to get through it all.' Article content This brings up the collective curatorial nature of the fest, now in its fourth year. Article content 'Purple City's ethos is collaborative in nature,' says Rathjen. 'We're trying to build community and just kind of signal boost what others are doing and trying to have more opinions to build something greater.'
Edmonton Journal
24-05-2025
- Edmonton Journal
L.A. Witch, Wand, FREYA and Babe Haven electrifying Purple City year four Sept. 5-7
Article content Purple City Music Festival has announced its first wave, full of hot and heavy talent from across the continent on its way to downtown Dirt City Sept. 5-7. Article content Article content Holding the top spots (so far) are two delightfully sludgy indie KEXP-style legends, the surf-gothy L.A. Witch and L.A.'s psych-rock Wand. Legendary punk pioneers D.O.A. will bring their familiar crusty antics to the Purple lineup. And, more from California, dreamy Nuggets-compilation-vibing The Mystery Lights counter the wolverine-in-sheep's clothing metalcore punk of Babe Haven out of North Carolina — curated by year-round all-ages promoter Project 23. Article content 'When I first heard Mystery Lights,' says executive director Ryan Rathjen, 'I thought, it's produced so retro it literally sounds like it was made in the '60s. And Babe Haven are dressed up Chappelle Roan or whatever, but they're one of the heaviest bands going.' Montreal techno queen Marie Davidson will also have a unique set. Article content 'She's a super amazing, boiler-room DJ. She kind of plays her show, sings, and then goes behind her decks and DJ and does all this crazy mixing stuff. Then she comes back out and plays — it's a really entertaining show.' Also in the first wave — 70 more of the 90-plus bands being announced in July — are metal scorchers FREYA, Seattle garage band Acid Tongue, darkwave return act Kontravoid, eletro-punk UNIITY, L.A. shoegazer Taleen Kali, New York's NUXX and Texas post-punk act Night Ritualz. Way more to come, but so far the locals include rare appearances by Faunts and the mighty James T. Kirks — both must-sees. Article content Article content Canuck buzz bands Devours, Wait//less, Shiv and The Carvers and Slash Need wrap up the first announced. Over 530 bands submitted from all over North America, up 100 from last year, Rathjen notes. 'We're starting to get traction in Austin, definitely New York, Seattle, Toronto. 'We could easily have two Purple Cities, and it's been quite the task for the juries to get through it all.' This brings up the collective curatorial nature of the fest, now in its fourth year. Besides Project 23, Purple City is once again teaming up with Vancouver's delightfully dark Verboden Music Festival, avant-garde and experimental label Honey Farm Records and CxUxYxA/Cleanup Your Act Productions, not to mention having lots of curatorial voices within its expanded volunteer base. 'Purple City's ethos is collaborative in nature,' says Rathjen. 'We're trying to build community and just kind of signal boost what others are doing and trying to have more opinions to build something greater.' Article content Part of this is an expanded and, most importantly, free music conference now dubbed Talk City, anyone can attend, wristbands or not. 'Our goal is to bring in a lot of industry delegates this year to expose the local bands, and have an educational aspect about booking, border crossing, all that kind of stuff.' As always, the festival is all ages, Rathjen explaining, 'we want to build the community up by having kids having this be their first experience being exposed to these bands from around here and all over. 'We want them to be inspired and be the next generation to play at Purple City and be the next big exports from Edmonton that blow up.' Love Wrestling also returns to the outdoor party in front of Starlite Room, running Saturday and Sunday for the first time. 'Spencer Love is the ringleader, and he's cooking up something, some big matches. I'm hoping to incorporate a bit of an Edmonton-Calgary rivalry if we can duke it out.' Article content Latest National Stories
Vancouver Sun
24-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
L.A. Witch, Wand, FREYA and Babe Haven electrifying Purple City year four Sept. 5-7
Purple City Music Festival has announced its first wave, full of hot and heavy talent from across the continent on its way to downtown Dirt City Sept. 5-7. Holding the top spots (so far) are two delightfully sludgy indie KEXP-style legends, the surf-gothy L.A. Witch and L.A.'s psych-rock Wand. Legendary punk pioneers D.O.A. will bring their familiar crusty antics to the Purple lineup. And, more from California, dreamy Nuggets-compilation-vibing The Mystery Lights counter the wolverine-in-sheep's clothing metalcore punk of Babe Haven out of North Carolina — curated by year-round all-ages promoter Project 23. 'When I first heard Mystery Lights,' says executive director Ryan Rathjen, 'I thought, it's produced so retro it literally sounds like it was made in the '60s. And Babe Haven are dressed up Chappelle Roan or whatever, but they're one of the heaviest bands going.' Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Montreal techno queen Marie Davidson will also have a unique set. 'She's a super amazing, boiler-room DJ. She kind of plays her show, sings, and then goes behind her decks and DJ and does all this crazy mixing stuff. Then she comes back out and plays — it's a really entertaining show.' Also in the first wave — 70 more of the 90-plus bands being announced in July — are metal scorchers FREYA, Seattle garage band Acid Tongue, darkwave return act Kontravoid, eletro-punk UNIITY, L.A. shoegazer Taleen Kali, New York's NUXX and Texas post-punk act Night Ritualz. Way more to come, but so far the locals include rare appearances by Faunts and the mighty James T. Kirks — both must-sees. Canuck buzz bands Devours, Wait//less, Shiv and The Carvers and Slash Need wrap up the first announced. Over 530 bands submitted from all over North America, up 100 from last year, Rathjen notes. 'We're starting to get traction in Austin, definitely New York, Seattle, Toronto. 'We could easily have two Purple Cities, and it's been quite the task for the juries to get through it all.' This brings up the collective curatorial nature of the fest, now in its fourth year. Besides Project 23, Purple City is once again teaming up with Vancouver's delightfully dark Verboden Music Festival, avant-garde and experimental label Honey Farm Records and CxUxYxA/Cleanup Your Act Productions, not to mention having lots of curatorial voices within its expanded volunteer base. 'Purple City's ethos is collaborative in nature,' says Rathjen. 'We're trying to build community and just kind of signal boost what others are doing and trying to have more opinions to build something greater.' Part of this is an expanded and, most importantly, free music conference now dubbed Talk City, anyone can attend, wristbands or not. 'Our goal is to bring in a lot of industry delegates this year to expose the local bands, and have an educational aspect about booking, border crossing, all that kind of stuff.' As always, the festival is all ages, Rathjen explaining, 'we want to build the community up by having kids having this be their first experience being exposed to these bands from around here and all over. 'We want them to be inspired and be the next generation to play at Purple City and be the next big exports from Edmonton that blow up.' Love Wrestling also returns to the outdoor party in front of Starlite Room, running Saturday and Sunday for the first time. 'Spencer Love is the ringleader, and he's cooking up something, some big matches. I'm hoping to incorporate a bit of an Edmonton-Calgary rivalry if we can duke it out.' Tier 1 wristbands, which go up in price after certain numbers are sold, are $130, VIP wristbands — which erase lineups and include a screenprint poster and T-shirt or tote — are currently at $250. You can buy them both now at , and individual show tickets for the nine or so stages will go on sale closer to the fest. 'It's all leaning into what Edmonton is,' Rathjen laughs, 'kind of heavy and dark and noisy.' fgriwkowsky@ @ Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
