It’s that time of year again…the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and music is filling the air at festivals everywhere. Whether you are planning on road-tripping to the States or staying a bit closer to home, nothing says summer time fun like crazy adventures at open air rock festivals. So toss on some fab jeans or cut-off shorts, wellies for those muddy days and some bomb eyewear, and check out some of these cool events…
June 13 – 19: NXNE, Toronto, Ontario
Iggy Pop doin' his thing on-stage with fans at NXNE
This annual festival based off the SXSE event in Texas, is the biggest festival in Ontario. Virgin Fest fell by the way-side with it’s over-commercialization, and Canadian Music Week lacks the publicity needed to make it a contender. With over 635 international, national and local acts at 50 official festival stages, this is a week of good tunes spanning every genre that you DON’T want to miss. Many of the shows are held indoors, but Dundas Square throws some great free events (like the Iggy Pop concert last year) as well as on Centre Island.
The event takes place throughout the city, so the emphasis is effortless, metropolis cool. For guys, flat-top black shades with bad-ass detailing are where it's at. Try the "G-Money" shades from Chrome Hearts...guarenteed to have chicks thinking you ARE the band!
And for the ladies? Focus on classic but unique shapes that will be effortless. Salt's "Caden" is a modern spin on Audrey Hepburne that will have you looking like a super-star.
If you’re down for a flight and a roadtrip, don’t miss THE biggest music festival in the world. Glastonbury is turning 41 this year, and is the largest open air music and performing arts festival in the world. Located in the Vale of Avalon, an area steeped in symbolism, mythology and religious traditions, the vibe prevalent throughout the festivities is freedom and a carefree sense of awe. Roll with the mood, don’t show up with preconceived ideas or a schedule, and open yourself up to exploring all the new and fabulous things that this event has to offer.
We are loving hippie-chic frames for the chics...Our number one favorite? The limited edition collection that Barton Perreira collaborated on with Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony. "Candy" is the epitome of effortless cool which is essential at style-savvy Glastonbury.
Glastonbury is all about effortless cool with a rocker edge. Aviators are the way to go. Try Carrera's "Turbo" or Barton Perreira's "Eyston"...
This 20 year-old festival was the brainchild of Perry Farrell and was originally a musical roadshow. Now an annual festival in Chicago, the festival boasts 130 acts from a vast array of different genres (hip-hop, electronica, reggae, indie, rock, modern roots, etc).
Even the name Lollapalooza conjures up candy-coated colors swirling in our minds. We like these "Darling" rainbow bright shades from Barton Perreira's collaboration with Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony. Or for more subdued flavour, opt for Dita's "Holiday".
Aviators are a classic favorite at festivals, but Lollapalooza is similar to NXNE in that it's in the heart of the city. To give your shades a bit more of an urban vibe, the bar detailing on these Entourage of 7 PCH2 frames is exactly what you need to take this classic to the next level.
August 29 – September 5: Burning Man, Black Rock City, Nevada
THIS is THE festival in America. Nothing comes close to matching the epic size and nature of this event which is celebrated by hundreds of thousands of concert-goers across the States and Canada. Located in the stunning desert, this festival has the best of music, art, mutant vehicles, fire breathers, circus performers, performance artists, etcetera. It is a hark-back to the 60s; free love, artistic expression, and damn good music reign. Nudity is also a common sight, so seeing a bunch of folks in their birthday suits is not out of the realm of possibility. Perks: You can get an even tan! Boo yeah!
The number one requisite for sunglasses at Burning Man? They need to be super-durable, comfortable, large for optimal protection from the sun and have kickass lenses to keep your peepers in shape while the rest of you falls apart. The Mykita "Elroy" features super-sturdy hardware and construction, and is of course polarized. Maui Jim's "Pau Hana" features the company's standard and outstanding lenses; polarized, high contrast so you'll see the festival in all it's colorful glory, and mirrored to prevent squinting. They're also very durable as the line originally catered to the sports crowd and has carried their hardy construction to even their most fashionable frames.
September 21-25: POP, Montreal, Quebec This festival features art, music, film, conferences and workshops profiling Canadian, local and international talents. The tunes span over many genres and many of the events are kid-friendly (and there’s even some special goings-on just for the munchkins).It’s the biggest music festival in Quebec and definitely a unique and fun experience. With it’s close proximity to Toronto, this is an easy fest to make it over too, and you’ll get to feel like you’re a bit farther from home with that unique vibe that is the signature of Montreal!
Montreal is known for it's fashion-forward presence in Canada as well as it's quirky nature. For this festival, you need something a little bit different. The Benjamin "Graham" sunglasses are totally gangsta'; brushed metal front and tortoise temples give this a distinctive feel. Gals should try Initium's "Disco", a VERY unique shape, super-sized to hide those tired eyes after a long night out, and uber cool.
So what festivals will you hit up and what are you going to wear? Let us know on our facebook fan page.
