Purple City Music Festival Shows Just How Fearless, Friendly and Fascinating Edmonton Can Be
Photos by Shannon Johnston.
Purple City Music Festival has quickly become one of Alberta’s most exciting festivals because of its fearless approach to music programming. What started with a reputation for synth- and darkwave has expanded into an eclectic showcase that balances international acts alongside highlighting Alberta’s thriving local scene. Across one night you can find Philadelphia’s UNIITY levelling the Freemason’s Hall, Montreal art punks DVTR tearing up the Temple stage, and spot Alberta favourites like Dial Up, Uncanny Valley and DRSE all within a few block radius.
We were proud to once again be a part of the festival with the our showcase at Y Afterhours on Saturday. The lineup underscored just how tuned-in Purple City is to what’s buzzing right now featuring NUXX, Slash Need, Jehovah's Princess Ceremony Shadows, SILKRØAD and MORRISMORRIS filling the room with industrial, goth, and synth-driven intensity. Slash Need in particular turned their set into an unforgettable spectacle, opening behind a giant screen that cast eerie shadows before dropping it to reveal dancers and lead vocalist Dusty’s charged stage presence. With Toronto peers Shiv and the Carvers singing along from the front row after their own block-party performance, members of VERTTIGO in the crowd dancing alongside UNIITY, it was a moment that captured how the festival builds community between artists and audiences alike.
That commitment to thoughtful curation was highlighted again by Vancouver artist Devours, who remarked during their set that “Purple City could not have made a better lineup for tonight.” Which rang true as when Marie Davidson closed the weekend at Y Afterhours with a commanding set. Her stage presence is rooted in authority as she spits fire at misogyny and transphobia while also holding the crowd in her arms. When she launched into her anthem “Work,” calling for love, empathy, and resistance in the face of racism, sexism, homophobia, and war, the entire crowd was locked in and holding onto every word.
Photos by Daman Singh.
Just as integral to Purple City’s magic is how their venues help shape the experience for audiences. The entire festival is clustered within a handful of blocks in downtown Edmonton, which means crowds aren’t losing energy on long commutes between shows. From the historic Freemasons Hall Of Edmonton, to the neon-splashed Y Afterhours, and the bustling block party in between, Purple City ensures you’re able to catch almost every set you could be excited to see. Outside, the block party stage highlights a mix of local wrestling talent thanks to their partnership with Love Wrestling and a diverse array of cross-genre talent, including folk, rap and punk music intermixed between matches. Crucially, not just the block party, but all of Purple City’s programming is all-ages, a rare and vital commitment at a time when youth access to live music feels increasingly limited. For teenagers and younger fans, Purple City isn’t just entertainment; it a chance to discover community and creativity in their own city.
Other recent additions to the festival include their Talk City music conference which boasts completely free educational and skill-building programming, and the Masonic Market, including vintage finds, handmade goods, and community vendors. It’s impressive that as Purple City continues to expand with every passing year, they continue to find new ways to platform even more local creators.
The proximity of the venues, the diversity of the programming and the focus on highlighting local artists whenever possible, shows that Purple City is going to continue getting better and better each year. As Purple City continues to grow, it’s creating a festival that highlights the best Alberta has to offer, while also giving local audiences a chance to connect with some of the most exciting names across genres internationally.