(Anagance, NB) – Messtival is a festival centered on music, the arts, buskers, sideshows and more. It is held in Anagance, New Brunswick at a beautiful farm. This was the eighth edition of Messtival and the first one that I attended. It is run by the TBA Collective , a non profit volunteer committee. The artistic director is Ian McMillian, Jonah Hache is the coordinator and Wasko the set designer.
Let me start by offering this disclaimer. The common theme is sarcasm at its best. The committee and the people attending continually whine and complain at how crappy this festival is, and of course it’s pure sarcasm. The more you complain the better time you are obviously having. I consider this the worst festival and the suckiest time I have had this summer. (Which means , It was the best festival and the greatest time I have had.)
Messtival limits the sale of their tickets to the event and plan to keep it that way so they can enjoy the intimate nature of the festival. All you see all day are people hugging and welcoming each other. The unique marketing angle of promoting themselves as “a festival not worth attending” and telling people they aren’t allowed to have any fun is genius. Everyone gets in on the act and it’s like you’re all “in” on the joke.
The lineup of talent was great. It opened with Heethcliff, then Plural followed by Mother, Juggs & Speed. The Jon Cohen Experimental, Earth Bound Trio, Xania, Papa Ya, Frase, Durians, Les Paiens and closing the main stage was After Funk.
Between bands and solo acts were the performing artists including Industribe, The east coast side show, Yoga led by Jodie Avard and art by No Fun Zone.
Messtival features one of the best light and projection shows I have seen since the 70’s. In fact it was easy to let yourself time trip back to the late 60’s and early 70’s with the light show, the smell in the air and the tie dye everywhere.
The stage called “Loserville” set up further into the woods away from the main camping ground became the main centre stage at midnight. This provides for “quiet time” for the campers who aren’t up to partying all night till dawn. The list of talent was just as impressive starting with Elephant Skeletons, followed by Hornitz, M.K.W., Darryl and his Boogy Buttons, Chairman Meow, Snug and greeting the sunrise was The Bass Babas (Wobble Wallah & Woodsworthy).
I will confess I didn’t make it to the second stage as I had to leave to go back to Nova Scotia. Messtival made a lasting impression on me and in keeping with the spirit and sarcasm of the festival ” I had an absolutely crappy time and I hope I don’t have to go back next year.”
All photos captured by David Hodges. Please do NOT use without permission.
Messtival Facebook Page: Click HERE
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