This past weekend, thousands of fans gathered at Canada’s very own Burl’s Creek for two days of throwback pop-punk anthems, moshing, and pure nostalgia at All Your Friends Festival.
Held over the Canada Day long weekend, the festival returned for it’s second-ever edition on June 28th and 29th, bringing together some of the most iconic and up-and-coming names in rock, alternative, and pop-punk. With two stages, back-to-back sets, and crowds covered in eyeliner and band tees, the festival was an emo kid’s dream come true.
Day 1 kicked off with jam-packed sets from bands like Winona Fighter, Four Year Strong, and The Starting Line, bringing a mix of powerful belting, hype crowd energy, and the perfect amount of screaming.
Some artists made long-awaited returns to the scene and did not disappoint. Boys like Girls were a clear standout, with strong performances of hits like “Love Drunk” and “BLOOD AND SUGAR.” Frontrunner Martin Johnson commanded the stage, encouraging the crowd to “wake up!” and showcasing vocals stronger than ever.
But they weren’t alone: The Veronicas and Faber Drive also made their grand comebacks, hitting the big stage again after many years of hiatus. Reuniting with Canadian fans was clearly an emotional experience, as fans screamed along the lyrics to each song, and danced at every possible moment.
As the sun began to set, Rise Against closed out day 1 with a cathartic, scream-along set that had the entire crowd shouting “Saviour” like it was 2008. Their performance was a great reminder of why their raw energy and timeless hook continue to resonate with Canadian fans.
Day 2 kept the momentum going, especially blessed with bright blue skies and a lineup stacked with heavy-hitters and cult favourites.
Artists like Taylor Acorn and Anberlin kicked things off with earlier sets that drew longtime fans into jam mode, and left newer fans wanting more. State Champs amped things up a notch, tearing through their set with such a strong presence they could’ve easily taken on the main stage.
Pop-punk royalty and hometown heroes Simple Plan followed with an iconic set full of smash hits like “I’m Just A Kid,” “Summer Paradise,” and even “What’s New Scooby Doo?” It was clear they were just as excited to be there as the crowd was to see them, and were the best lead-up to the weekend’s grand finale.
Finally, Canadian punk-pop princess Avril Lavigne closed out the festival in true rock star fashion. From “Sk8ter boi” to “Complicated,” her headlining set was polished, powerful, and everything fans could’ve asked for. It was the perfect ending to an nostalgia-filled weekend.
If you grew up on MySpace, Vans Warped Tour, or have a piquing interest in all things emo, this weekend was the lineup to see. It’s clearly safe to say: All Your Friends Fest is here to stay.
Same time next year? We’ll most definitely be first in line.
Keep up with All Your Friends Festival: Website / Instagram / Facebook
