CannaFest 2017 – Bigger, Louder & More Legendary Than Ever!

CannaFest 2017 – The Biggest Year Yet!

CannaFest 2017 took Grand Forks by storm, bringing legendary rock icons, rising stars, and fan-favorite bands together for an unforgettable three-day rock festival! With an electrifying lineup, a packed crowd, and MuchMusic VJ Michael Williams as the host, this festival cemented its place as Canada’s must-attend classic rock event.

Thursday, August 10 – A Powerful Opening Night!

CannaFest 2017 kicked off with a high-energy lineup that set the stage for an unforgettable weekend. Sterling from Victoria opened the night with a dynamic performance, bringing fresh energy to the festival. Rod Black followed, blending his signature country-rock fusion with powerful vocals that had the crowd engaged. Darby Mills Project took things up a notch, with Darby Mills’ legendary voice soaring through the night on hits like Don’t It Make Ya Feel. Nick Gilder & Sweeney Todd kept the momentum going, getting fans singing along to Hot Child in the City and Roxy Roller. Closing out the night, April Wine delivered a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing set, treating fans to classics like Roller and Just Between You and Me, making for a perfect first night of rock.

Sterling

Sterling, the powerhouse rock band from Victoria, BC, has been making waves with their electrifying performances and tight musicianship. Known for their high-energy stage presence and a sound that blends classic and modern rock influences, they have built a loyal fan base across British Columbia.
Rod Black

Rod Black kicked off the night with his signature country-rock fusion, bringing a unique energy to the festival. His heartfelt lyrics and commanding stage presence set the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening!
Darby Mills Project

Darby Mills Project showcased Darby’s legendary powerhouse vocals, thrilling fans with “Don’t It Make Ya Feel” and “Turn It Loud”. Her commanding stage presence and rock energy made her set one of the festival’s most memorable performances!

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Nick Gilder and Sweeney Todd

Nick Gilder and Sweeney Todd brought a wave of rock nostalgia, captivating the audience with chart-topping hits like “Hot Child in the City” and “Roxy Roller”. Their set was a perfect blend of smooth vocals, rock swagger, and unforgettable melodies!

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April Wine

April Wine had the audience singing along to timeless anthems like “Just Between You and Me” and “Roller”, blending nostalgia with high-energy rock. Their legendary sound and iconic hits kept the crowd buzzing all night!

Friday, August 5 – A Night of Classic Rock Energy!

The second night of CannaFest 2017 turned up the volume with an explosive lineup featuring both local favorites and legendary rockers. Maddog 2020 returned to the festival stage, delivering a powerful local set that had fans pumped. Shavers Bench brought their hard-hitting rock from Castlegar, keeping the energy high before Radio Freak featuring Jonah Rocks took over, showcasing impressive musicianship and killer drum solos. Kick Axe stormed the stage next, delivering heavy-hitting anthems like Heavy Metal Shuffle and On the Road to Rock, setting the tone for a hard-rocking night. Saga followed with their progressive rock mastery, mesmerizing fans with On the Loose and Wind Him Up. Harlequin, returning for their second time, had the crowd singing along to Innocence and Thinking of You. The night ended on a high-energy, crowd-shaking note, as Trooper delivered a legendary performance, getting thousands of voices roaring to Raise a Little Hell and We’re Here for a Good Time.

Maddog 2020

Maddog 2020 made their third appearance at CannaFest, proving once again why they’re a local fan favorite. Their high-energy set and killer rock sound had the crowd pumped from start to finish!

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Shavers Bench

Shavers Bench, a hard-hitting rock band from Castlegar, BC, has been turning heads with their electrifying performances and high-energy sound. Blending classic and modern rock influences, they’ve built a strong local following and continue to rock every stage they play!
Radio Freak featuring Jonah Rocks

Radio Freak, a standout local band, brings a dynamic mix of rock and alternative sounds to the stage. Featuring the incredible drumming talents of Jonah Rocks, their performances are a perfect fusion of raw energy, tight rhythms, and passionate vocals.
Kick Axe

Kick Axe shook the stage with their heavy riffs and powerful vocals, igniting the crowd with hits like “Heavy Metal Shuffle” and “On the Road to Rock”. Their performance was a masterclass in pure, unapologetic 80s rock!
Saga

Saga brought their progressive rock brilliance to CannaFest, mesmerizing the audience with soaring instrumentals and powerful vocals. Fans were thrilled to hear classic hits like “On the Loose” and “Wind Him Up”, proving that Saga’s music remains timeless!
Harlequin

Returning for the second time, Harlequin once again proved why they are a CannaFest fan favorite. Their set featured crowd-pleasing anthems like “Innocence” and “Thinking of You”, bringing an electrifying energy that had fans singing along!!
Trooper

Trooper closed out the night in epic fashion, delivering a high-energy performance packed with classic hits. The crowd erupted as they played legendary anthems like “Raise a Little Hell”, “We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time)”, and “Boys in the Bright White Sports Car”, making it a night of rock and roll euphoria!

Saturday, August 12 – A Legendary Finale!

The final night of CannaFest 2017 delivered an all-out rock spectacle, packed with legendary performances and unforgettable moments. All About Jack, the contest winner, kicked things off with an electrifying performance that proved they were ready for the big stage. The Vindicators followed with their hard-driving sound, keeping the crowd engaged before Dr. Fun and the Nightcrawlers brought their bluesy, high-energy rock to the mix. Platinum Blonde took the stage next, bringing their new wave rock anthems to life with Crying Over You and Standing in the Dark. The night escalated with Randy Bachman, a true Canadian rock legend, delivering fan favorites like Takin’ Care of Business and You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet. Loverboy turned the festival into a massive rock party, igniting the crowd with classics like Working for the Weekend and Turn Me Loose. Creedence Clearwater Revisited closed the festival in spectacular fashion, delivering hit after hit, including Bad Moon Rising and Have You Ever Seen the Rain, leaving the crowd in awe and ending CannaFest 2017 on the ultimate high note.

All About Jack

All About Jack, the contest winner, had the honor of opening the final night of CannaFest 2017. Their electrifying performance proved they belonged on the big stage, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening of rock!
The Vindicators

The Vindicators brought their signature hard-hitting rock style, delivering an electrifying performance that kept fans on their feet. Their mix of raw energy and classic rock vibes made them a perfect fit for the CannaFest lineup!
Dr. Fun and the Nightcrawlers

Dr. Fun and the Nightcrawlers delivered a groovy, blues-infused rock set that had the crowd moving. Their unique sound and infectious energy made them one of the night’s standout acts!
Platinum Blonde

Platinum Blonde brought their signature new wave rock sound to the festival, captivating fans with their smooth vocals and timeless hits. The crowd went wild as they played classics like “Crying Over You” and “Standing in the Dark”, proving that their music still resonates decades later!
Randy Bachman

Randy Bachman, a true Canadian rock icon, delivered a masterclass in rock and blues, thrilling fans with anthems from his legendary career. The festival grounds erupted as he played “Takin’ Care of Business” and “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”, turning the night into a full-on singalong!
Loverboy

Loverboy kept the energy sky-high with their signature rock anthems and undeniable stage presence. Fans sang at the top of their lungs as they performed classic hits like “Working for the Weekend”, “Turn Me Loose”, and “The Kid Is Hot Tonight”, making for one of the most electric performances of the festival!

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Creedence Clearwater Revisited

Creedence Clearwater Revisited closed out CannaFest 2017 in legendary fashion, bringing their timeless Southern rock sound to the festival stage. The crowd swayed and sang along to classics like “Bad Moon Rising”, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”, and “Down on the Corner”, creating the perfect finale for an unforgettable weekend of rock and roll!

Final Thoughts

CannaFest 2017 took everything fans loved about the festival and turned up the volume. With a lineup that included April Wine, Trooper, Randy Bachman, Platinum Blonde, and Loverboy, this was the year CannaFest truly became a must-attend event for classic rock fans. Grand Forks came alive with unmatched energy, and the festival continued to build its legacy, proving that it was Canada’s premier classic rock festival.