SappyFest


SappyFest is an annual independent arts and music festival held in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. Started by Paul Henderson, Jon Claytor, and musician Julie Doiron as an extension of Sappy Records, the festival launched 2006.
The festival is produced by Sappy Records in partnership with OK.Quoi?! Contemporary Arts Festival, Struts Gallery, and the Faucet Media Arts Centre. SappyFest draws musicians and audience members alike from across the continent. Many Sackville residents volunteer their time to SappyFest, either by billeting visitors, working security, taking tickets, or taking on a slew of other tasks. Steven Lambke is the current Creative Director of Sappyfest.

By year

2007

Headliners included Julie Doiron, Constantines, Chad VanGaalen, and Eric's Trip from August 3–5, 2007.

2008

SappyFest '08 occurred on Friday 1 August 2008 – Sunday 3 August 2008. Headliners included Julie Doiron, Chad VanGaalen, The Acorn, and Miracle Fortress.

2009

Headliners included Wintersleep, Destroyer, Timber Timbre, Ohbijou, The Burning Hell, and Old Man Luedecke.

2010

The festival took place from July 30 to August 1. Performers included Attack in Black, The Sadies, Chad VanGaalen, Jim Guthrie, Old Man Luedecke, The Felice Brothers, Holy Fuck, and Gentleman Reg. On Sunday, Halifax band Sloan performed unannounced at the mainstage tent. The setlist included their album Twice Removed in its entirety, a first for the band.

2011

The lineup for the Sappyfest in 2011 included Rich Aucoin, Grimes, Chad Vangaalen, Charles Bradley, and a surprise show from Arcade Fire, performing under the decoy name Shark Attack.

2012

Headliners included Metz, Fucked up, and Thee Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra La La Band

2013

In 2013, the festival ran a conference on presenting small music festivals in rural contexts, called "Why Nowhere?". The music line-up that year included the Joel Plaskett Emergency, Chad VanGaalen, Shotgun Jimmie, The Underachievers, Colin Stetson, Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens, and Pictish Trail.

2014

Taking place on the first weekend of August, the 2014 lineup included Ought, Basia Bulat, The Constantines, as well as Shotgun & Jaybird.

2015

SappyFest X was temporarily relocated to York Street due to a major reconstruction of its usual home on Bridge Street. Performers included Angel Olsen, PUP, Shotgun Jimmie, and Jennifer Castle

2016

Returning to the familiar setting of Bridge Street, the 2016 lineup included Cakes Da Killa, TUNS, Julie Doiron and the Wooden Stars, Dilly Dally, Nap Eyes, Century Egg, Partner, and Ought.

2017

The 2017 lineup included Lido Pimienta, Weaves, Partner, Daniel Romano, and Willie Thrasher.

2018

The 2018 lineup included U.S. Girls, Jeremy Dutcher, Jennifer Castle, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Nap Eyes, and Bonjay