Beats, Breaks and Culture Festival 2008

This weekend Beats, Breaks & Culture will celebrate its fifth year anniversary, bringing some of the best new music and culture to the Harbourfront Centre.

This year in particular the line up is quite impressive, with some of the best national and international talent such as Ladytron and Crystal Castles on the bill.

And did I mention that admission is FREE?

Usually for Beats, Breaks & Culture weekend I pretty much camp at Harbourfront. There is something about the festival (and most of the World Routes Series) that makes it one of my favourite music events of the year. Enjoying the lake breeze while listening to great music for free, watching the sunset to your favourite tunes played live just a few meters from you, eating corn on the stick or some jerk chicken with a beer - it just doesn't get any better.

I'm mostly excited about Saturday's locals lineup: Woodhands, Thunderheist and Crystal Castles at the Sirius Satellite Radio Stage. It's great too see so much talent coming out from our very own hometown Toronto!

But Beats, Breaks & Culture is not only about the big name acts though. Make sure to check all the other side events that are going on like the Graffiti Competition hosted by Manifesto at the Ann Tindal Lawn, or the DJ-centric events such as 7th Heaven, which is one of my favorite dance parties in Toronto, at the Brigantine Room. You can even get a cool haircut for free, courtesy of Marca College.

Here is a schedule with my personal highlights. For a full schedule please visit the Beats, Breaks & Culture official site.

Beats, Breaks & Culture: 5 Year Anniversary - July 4 - 6, 2008

Friday, July 4th

8:00pm - Sirius Satellite Radio Stage
Poni Hoax
- Fun and energetic, this is a band you want to see live. Straight from Paris.

9:30pm - Sirius Satellite Radio Stage
Ladytron
- Do i really have to promote Ladytron? They sell out all their shows every time they come to town.

10:30pm - Lakeside Terrace
Public Transit Recordings (PTR) 10 Year Anniversary Party
With LAL, Moonstarr, Insideamind and DJ Dialect
- PTR is one of Toronto's finest record labels. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing Insideamind's always inspiring set.

Saturday, July 5th

2:00pm & Sunday, July 6th, 2:00pm - Marilyn Brewer Community Space
Free Retro Haircuts! In celebration of the fifth anniversary of BBC.
Hair Cuts Available for FREE:
1) Bob Cut (The Beckham)
2) Mo Hawk (The Faux Hawk)
3) High Top/Gumby (The Fresh Prince)
4) Feathered Cut (Layers)
5) The Wedge (Graduated Bob)
Come on up and get your FREE Hair Cut courtesy of MARCA COLLEGE.
- Hey! It's summer, I think it's time for a cool haircut! I think you need one too!

2:00pm - Sirius Satellite Radio Stage
Woodhands
- One of blogTO's favourite bands, it'll be worth getting there early to see their awesome live performance.

2:00pm and Sunday, July 6th, 2:00pm - Ann Tindal Lawn
GRAFFITI COMPETITION hosted by: MANIFESTO
-You can walk down to the lawn area to sport your new haircut while watching some amazing art by the best local talent.
 
8:00pm - Sirius Satellite Radio Stage
Thunderheist

9:30pm - Sirius Satellite Radio Stage
Crystal Castles
Their self-titled album is easily in my top 5 of the year. Can't wait to hear them play Black Panther live.

10:30pm - Brigantine Room Ann Tindal Lawn
7th Heaven
Featuring Resident DJ's Will Munro and Jaime Sin with Special Guests Eric Duncan (rub-in-tug/still g0ing) and Nacho Lovers.
- 7th heaven is one of my favourite Toronto dance parties, always bringing great DJs and crazy disco magic.

Sunday, July 6th

3:00pm - Sirius Satellite Radio Stage
Shad
- I think this guy will be the next big hip-hop star of Canada (and perhaps the world) . This might be your last chance to catch him in an intimate performance.

3:30pm - Toronto Star Stage
Katie Stelmanis
-Her amazing voice+synth combo is the perfect complement to finish off your weekend by the lake.

Photos: Crystal Castles mySpace and Stephane Gallois.