This is my first year attending the Ambleside Music Festival on Saturday, August 19th and Sunday, August 20th, 2023. Held at North Vancouver’s Ambleside park, hosting a handful of iconic rock and alternative musicians of recent and year’s past.
As the first concert since the pandemic and an outdoor one to mark the end of the summer season, this was a great location and occasion. And for those who planned ahead, there was even $40 on site parking that you could reserve and take advantage of.
Passes were sold for either of the days, or for the whole weekend. We did the latter and you had to keep our assigned wrist bands to return the next day. Therefore this review will be a compilation of the two experiences. Comparing Day 1 to 2, and where we stood to watch the performances on each. Hopefully this recap will be useful as tips for navigating next year’s affair. Because considering how much fun I had, I definitely want to come back!
For the first day we took a Lyft to the location, unsure of what the roads would be like and the crowds. Plus to not have to worry about drinking or driving. We actually ended up pregaming in my friend’s car, picking up a micky of vodka and a six pack of coolers from the closest liquor store. Then walked 10-15 minutes to the park, from the Park Royal area.
This was a scenic stroll that was easy enough. Views of the bridge and city in the distance, with plenty of folks walking their dogs on the path and fishing along the water’s edge. We would watch the sun slowly descend through the thick plumes of smoke that fogged up the air.
Knowing the crowds and number of available parking spot after Day 1, we would simply drive for Day 2, deciding to drink less on a work night. And there was plenty of free parking further away.
We would not spend the entire day in the park, but came down later, mainly for the headliner each day. But had we, we were more than welcome to pop out to return later, as there was in and out privileges for all festive goers. I am not familiar with too many festivals that allow you come and go as you see fit. Although, with security pat downs and bag checks each time, of course. Though the reality is that with doors opening at 1pm and the headliner starting at 8pm, this is a good chunk of time to have to stay within the gated up confines of the festival space.
Not to mention, with said large gaps in between sets there was plenty of down time. If staying in, this was time to either line up to use the washroom, line up to get a drink, or line up for food. And if not willing to line up for any of the above, you could easily camp out, by laying a blanket on the ground and taking a seat. As a group we found ourselves camping then moving closer in between sets to get a better vantage point.
Drinks included canned beer, wines, and coolers. Looking for the best bang for my buck, I stuck to the fruity mixer in either vodka, gin, and rum. Priced in the mid range at 7% ABV this was reasonable. With one drink in each hand we would roam the festival grounds.
On Day 1 we made the mistake of not eating enough and drinking more than we should have, plus the parking lot pregaming above. A few of us suffered the next day, despite going out to eat after the concert. (I was not one of them.) So on Day 2 we knew to take the time to line up for food and pay the hefty event prices that go with it.
For food there was a collection of food trucks including Shameless Buns serving Filipino fusion and one truck grilling up meat on sticks on the spot. We went for Mom’s Grilled Cheese, already being familiar with the brand and wanting to fill our stomach with tasty, carb-heavy, comfort food before drinking the rest of the night. The Ham option was cheesy and salty; and the Gouda sweet with green apples and a honey-based barbecue sauce.
Worth mentioning that event planners learned from Day 1 and were able to adjust and adapt for Day 2. There were a lot more staff stationed at each booth and although there were lines, they went by much faster. Even the queue for the outhouses were half its length, comparing Day 1 to 2. Although I did notice there were 2 additional locations for washroom stalls that I missed on the Saturday and there were teams on site cleaning them out regularly. Even the pump hand washing stations had flowing water on Sunday.
After Day 1 I was considering that the VIP passes may be a good idea, but after how show runners rallied for Day 2, General Admission suited us just fine. Outside from a designated seating area and fixed location with its own accessible bar and washrooms the VIP passes didn’t give you a better view of the stage. Just the convenience and accessibility of everything with minimum wait.
Sadly we missed the partnership that Ambleside Music Festival had with the Okanagan Wine Festival, not reading the invite closer. General admission ticket holders over 19 years of age had access to the Okanagan Wine Festivals tent, featuring an array of Okanagan wines, while VIP weekend pass holders were able to try exclusive tastings and premium wine offerings by the glass in the designated VIP area. I did not see this set up anywhere, so assume it was only for those who attended the first half of the days.
The festival grounds also included a handful of photo ops including a wall of vinyl as your backdrop, a moving metallic flicker background with the event’s name in acronym, “AMF” spelled out in free standing letters, and even a Barbie doll box that you could climb into.
And let’s not forget merch. Although pricy, I love good band merchandise, especially when you can wear it, and reminisce back to the occasion when you first bought it. And both headlining performances are worth revisiting in memory. And not only are they the best outfit at the concert you are attending, but do also help to keep you warm when the sun sets. I would walk away with the Weezer 2023 Tour hoodie and a “Semi-Charmed” baseball tee.
Day 1: Saturday August 19
1:00pm Doors open
2:00pm Post Modern
3:00pm Wallice
4:30pm Said the Whale
6:10pm Saint Motel
8:00pm Weezer
As for the music for Day 1 we were at further towards the back of the stage with a great view of the setting in its expanse. I enjoyed being able to watch from either of the two giant screens, and to have the crowd and their energy before me. To be on of a thousand voices singing to songs we all know and love.
Day 2: Sunday August 20
1:00pm Doors open
3:00pm Bran Van 3000
4:30pm Finger Eleven
6:10pm Bahamas
8:00pm Third Eye Blind
Although by far the better experience is as close as possible to centre stage. Although I enjoyed more of Weezer’s discography on Day 1, Day 2 with Third Eye Blind was a better musically inclined day when we inched our way closer song after song, to end up at the third row from right of the stage. Even the songs I was unfamiliar with I was able to enjoy, feeling the base in my bones.
In conclusion an enjoyable festival and a great line up however you want to do it. Already looking forward to next year! Stay informed with the link below.
