Wayhome attracts 40,000 Wayhomies at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds

On July 23-26, Republic Live brought WayHome Festival back to Ore-Medonte, Ontario this year after its initial launch the previous year. WayHome came with a stacked lineup; The Killers, Major Lazer, Rae Sremmurd, Haim, Arcade Fire, to name a few; but this year we fished for the up and comers, and the names you’ll continuously hear buzzing the radio waves this summer.

Tory Lanez hit the stage on Friday night with a killer performance, pleasing the crowed with hits such as “Say It”, and his new single, “Luv”, which is debuting with his album on August 19th titled “I Told You”. The performance was taken further than the stage that Tory Lanez was given, diving into the crowds for an intimate experience. Don’t be surprised if you find him on top of you, hyping you up for what is a show you’d want to see again.

Another act on our radar was A Tribe Called Red taking the WayBold stage on a late Saturday afternoon. Hailing from Ottawa, the band represents the musical elements of First Nations. Ian Campeau, Tim Hill and Bear Witness found a way to collaborate electronic music with hip hop, reggae and dubstep with vocal chanting and drumming. If you’re looking for a cultural Canadian performance, A Tribe Called Red will leave you wanting more, and even exploring the culture in a way you would have never imagined to do so.

Day two of the festival started off for us with the talented MØ,  who we had the pleasure of interviewing prior to her set. The danish singer-songwriter performed some of her older hits such as “Waste of Time” and even a new song that may be titled “Beat of your drum” that has yet to be released. The crowd was going wild for MØ,  while she preformed “Final Song”. Everyone in the crowd knew the lyrics and sang along with happy vibes and smiles all around. As a special treat, for the first time ever MØ, preformed her solo for “Cold Water ft. Justin Bieber and Major Lazer” and she tells the crowd this was the first time performing it. Closing her performance with mega hit “Lean On” the WayBold stage was not a big enough stage for MØ, and her crazy stage dives. There were crowds flooding in everywhere and even beyond the tent. None the less MØ ended her set with an epic stage dive right into the crowd. Bold move.

The next act we caught was over at the main stage were none other than sister act HAIM. The trio consisting of Alana, Danielle and Este Haim. The trio kept on reminiscing about red pantsuits and Fergie songs while performing  older hit songs such as “Don’t Save Me” “Forever” and “Honey & I “. The girls told the audience they were currently working on a new album and really wanted the audience’s opinion on their new songs. One of the new tracks titled “Give me just a little of your love” had a very light beat that audiences were able to sing along too.   Another new track they preformed titled “Nothing’s Wrong” had a very raw and almost a Fleetwood Mac feel to it. They ended their set with “Falling” with a killer percussion set.

The long wait was over, The Killers finally took the stage and opened with “Mr.Brightside”. It just last year frontman Brandon Flowers performed at WayHome as a solo act. He must have really enjoyed his time to bring the whole band for a reunion. The band played all their older hits such as “Somebody Told Me” “When you were young” and ending their set with “All these things that I’ve done” .

The perfect way to end the three day festival of music and arts. The festival drew in about 40,000 fans this year and attracted from every Canadian province, territory, 32 states in the USA and eight foreign countries. We can definitely agree on WayHome being the “Canadian” Coachella.

Thank you Republic Live! Until next year! Wayhome 2017 will take place July 28-30.

[Day one review by Reem Chahrour]
[Photography by Melissa Campo]