Erik van Meerbergen figures that the last time his Big Love Band played at the Whistler Village Beer Festival (WVBF), it was 2017. He remembers enjoying a pleasant, sunny day—a far cry from the dimly lit indoor venues he's livened up at 2 a.m. many times before. Alcohol has a funny way of lowering people's inhibitions, and that is often a good thing for those trying to entertain them.
This Saturday, Big Love will again co-headline the WVBF. They'll be joined by two other Sea to Sky favourites, Red Chair and DJ Foxy Moron, as well as new kids on the block Fresh Cut Grass.
Van Meerbergen is expecting a heck of a party once more.
"What I like most about the Beer Fest is: it's sort of like a celebration for locals," he remarks. "We have a lot of amazing events all summer, but … it does feel like the end of the big push for everyone that works and lives in town. It's really great to be part of that and to help facilitate a bit of a celebration for everybody.
"Live music plus drinks equals [people loosening up], and that's really the bottom line. It brings a casual environment for folks to really let their guard down and enjoy the moment. That's definitely the feel for Beer Fest, and as musicians we feed off the energy we get from the crowd."
Though quality cover bands will usually be able to make a living in Whistler by catering to tourist nostalgia, big events like the WVBF represent a premium opportunity for artists to put their own stuff into the limelight. Festival-goers tend to pay attention to music, and Big Love has realized success when they Trojan-horse a few original songs into a set amidst recognizable covers.
Fresh things
When asked about sharing a venue with the likes of Red Chair and DJ Foxy Moron, van Meerbergen had lots of praise.
"With those guys, consistency is key," he points out. "They're professionals to work with. When you book them, you know what you're going to get. They're just great people and they're very talented at what they do."
A good reputation goes a long way in lots of industries, and the arts are no exception to that rule. van Meerbergen is humbled that his fellow Whistlerites continually support the Big Love Band, respecting their on-stage ability and dedication. Yet he's also thrilled to see less established talents with smaller reputations getting chances to shine.
"I really do appreciate the Beer Festival programming team because they're looking for fresh things—no pun intended on Fresh Cut Grass," van Meerbergen says. "There's a lot of programming teams that put things on in Whistler, and nobody's lazy. People really do their homework and try to support up-and-comers. I haven't met Fresh Cut Grass as a band yet, but I'm super excited to hear them."
The WVBF might mark an unofficial end to summer's arts scene, but it's also a good transition into fall and eventually winter. According to van Meerbergen, Gibbons-owned bars like Après Après are starting to put live music on again while Whistler Blackcomb (WB) intends to follow suit with its establishments. Life as an artist isn't always smooth sailing, but good things could be on the horizon.
"It feels like people are seeing the value in [live entertainment]," opines the Big Love frontman. "We already know the support we get from the community, and I wanted to share my gratitude for the people who are trying to make shows happen even in difficult times economically. We made it through summer, now let's get ready for the big winter ahead."
Learn more about the 2024 WVBF at gibbonswhistler.com/festivals-events/whistler-village-beer-festival/.
