By Lauren Kalinowski
The smell of incense wafts from The Aviary’s tile covered entrance on East 111th Avenue as Purple City Festival’s sneak peek event sets the tone for what’s coming this summer. Inside the venue, a scene straight from underground rock’s beating heart: mini skirts with leather jackets, worn hardwood floors vibrating under thrashing guitars, and skylights draped with hanging vines creating an ethereal atmosphere.
Friday night’s showcase featured four local acts that captured the festival’s underground spirit. Stucco opened with their nerdy charm, featuring a bass playing vocalist who immediately grabbed attention. As the Oilers victory celebration spilled into the venue, Vertigo took the stage with an ethereal presence, dark haired vocals contrasting with a bleached blonde pixie in a shoulder padded leather jacket, backed by synth textures and stellar guitar work. Hot Garbage lived up to their name in the sexiest way possible, delivering a harder, thrashier set that had the growing crowd going, complete with mascot adding to the chaotic energy. Marbled Eye’s four piece lineup closed the night with relentless rhythm and aggressive beats.
The actual festival transforms downtown Edmonton into a nine stage musical playground, taking over iconic venues from the Starlite Room and Temple stages to the atmospheric Freemasons Hall basement, the soaring McDougall United Church, and even the Chateau Lacombe. The Purple City Block Party on 102 Street brings the underground to the streets, while late night sets at The Y Afterhours keep the energy flowing into the early hours.
This youth inspired arts event showcases the newest sounds from the global underground, bringing together Los Angeles psychedelic rockers Wand, sultry reverb masters L.A. Witch, Vancouver punk veterans D.O.A., and Montreal’s electronic provocateur Marie Davidson. The festival embraces its progressive mandate with queer punk champions like Durham’s Babe Haven and Toronto’s theatrical industrial outfit SLASH NEED, while hometown heroes like surf punk legends James T Kirks and shoegaze masters Faunts represent Edmonton’s rich music community.
Beyond the music, Purple City offers free educational programming including a networking event with Women in Music Canada at the Chateau Lacombe, featuring DJ sets by Airisui and opportunities for industry professionals and artists to connect. These workshops strengthen the festival’s community oriented core, creating spaces for skill building and knowledge sharing alongside the musical discovery.
As a forward thinking festival built on Treaty 6 territory in amiskwacîwâskahikan, Purple City creates an all ages experience that’s diverse, inclusive, and progressive. From psyche rock to punk, avant garde to folk, this boutique festival invites you to explore, expand your mind, dance, and make new friends in Edmonton’s vibrant underground music scene.
All info and tickets available at Purple City Fest. The Festival runs Sept 5-7, 2025. Multi venue & all-ages.
