It’s time to grow out those mullets now.
The Funtastic Sports Society has announced the lineup for this year’s A&W Funtastic Music Festival, and those who grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s will be pumping their fists and banging their heads to some nostalgic rock.
Held on the Canada Day long weekend, the 27th edition of the music festival at the Vernon Army Camp grounds will feature Canadian rockers Glass Tiger, U.S. hard rock band Great White, and tribute acts to Bon Jovi (Blaze of Glory), AC/DC (Who Made Who) and Led Zeppelin (The Led Zeppelin Show.)
Young musicians and bands across the valley will also have the opportunity to play at Funtastic, said the festival’s music director Tim Reardon.
“There is a lot of great local talent and it is a great chance for young musicians,” he said. “It is a popular event and gives people the opportunity to be on a proper big stage at a venue like Funtastic.”
Taking the stage on opening night, Thursday, June 30, will be Glass Tiger, whose hits include Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) and Someday.
Last seen at the 2011 Juno awards, band members have been busy working on personal projects and usually only come together from time to time for special gigs.
Best known for single, Once Bitten, Twice Shy, Great White made headlines in 2003 when a fire broke out at a nightclub where they were playing leading to the deaths of 100 people in West Warwick, Rhode Island, including the band’s guitarist Ty Longley.
The band made a comeback in 2007 with the release of a new album and an accompanying tour.
Among the many Okanagan bands performing will be this year’s winner of best rock album at the B.C. Interior Music Awards, which will be handed out at a ceremony in Kelowna on April 23.
Tickets for the A&W Funtastic Music Festival go on sale June 1. Visit www.funtastic.org for more info.
