This region is home to what has grown into Canada's premier female-focused metal festival.
The Metallocalypstick Festival pounds the rocks of Lone Butte (near 100 Mile House) each summer. The co-founder and chief organizer, Prince George's metal queen Kaija Kinney, is the frontwoman for Vancouver band Anarcheon. She wanted to participate in more festivals aimed at female musicians, and when she found few options she made this event her own mission.
"This festival means the celebration of both sexes coming together and creating something amazing," Kinney said. "People like to say women in metal aren't a big deal anymore and that we are all the same. I feel that is untrue, this is still a male dominated world and woman are still looked as lesser. I want to showcase all these bad ass ladies and celebrate the differences of men and woman rather than pretend we are all equal. Truth is we are different why can't we celebrate that?"
Metalocalypstick happens over the Canada Day long weekend each summer. This year, 22 bands will take the stage. Kinney said each one features "at least one woman in a show of feminine power across metal, punk and rock."
This year, bands from Canada, Tasmania, Mexico, Egypt and USA will gather for the one of a kind festival in the Canadian wilds.
The lineup for 2019 includes:
Attack The Fire (Vancouver)
Call Of The Siren (Edmonton)
Chaos Century (Vancouver)
Crimson Caliber (Medicine Hat)
Fallen Stars (Vancouver)
Forsaken Rite (Edmonton)
Interitum (Launceston, Tasmania)
Kayas (Vancouver)
Kelevra (Regina)
Kosm (Vancouver)
Lost Nebula (Hermosillo, Mexico)
Massive Scar Era (Vancouver/ Cairo, Egypt)
Obsidian (Vancouver)
Ophelia Falling (Vancouver)
Orchestry (BC)
Sins Of Sorrow (Edmonton)
Siren's Rain (Puget Sound, USA)
Subterranea (Toronto)
Sugar Wash (Edmonton)
The Shit Talkers (Vancouver)
Violent Betty (Saskatoon)
The Vth Circle (Vancouver)
A not-for-profit organization is attached to the festival. It is the donation vessel for contributions to Girls Rock Camp, Earth Protectors, and the Vancouver Rape Relief & Women's Shelter.
"Each year an independent band is also sponsored by the festival to further their musical pursuits," Kinney said.
It all happens at the Lone Butte Community Hall.
Tickets and more information is available through the official website: http://metalocalypstickfest.rocks/
