The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer to headline Unbuckled 2016

Written for Daily Hive by Steven Voser

The official lineup for Unbuckled 2016 has just been announced and local blues-rock powerhouse Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer will be taking centre stage.

Known for putting on electrifying live performances that make you look twice to ensure there’s really only two people on stage, these guys will be providing the soundtrack for this year’s instalment of Vancouver’s ultimate backyard BBQ.

Their gritty, powerful blues rhythm has won the duo a huge local following, plenty of radio play, and a handful of awards in the past years.

Check out the teaser video for this year’s event.

For the full lineup, more details on yard sales, and general event information, keep reading and make sure you get your tickets today. Tickets start at $29.50 and include a Starter BBQ Pack (smokie, beverage, and freezie) before 5 pm – available at unbuckled.ca. Tickets are limited and prices will rise closer to the event date.

The Music

Unbuckled 2015 was known for having plenty of fun games, great food and drinks, and some incredible local acts. This year they are expanding on the concert with more bands, bigger names, and longer hours! Here’s the full lineup for this year’s event:

The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer

This Vancouver duo are a powerhouse known for putting on invigorating blues/rock performances that are bound to leave your feet stomping.

Shawn Hall and Matthew Rogers first met at a recording session in 2006 and realized they had a passion for similar music genres, mainly blues and folk. They quickly formed a folk duo and began expanding their sound to be bigger and more electric.

By 2013 the two were already performing at over 15 major festivals across Canada and the US, including SXSW, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues, Vancouver Jazz Festival, Ottawa Blues Festival, and more.

Now, Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer are known for putting on spectacular live performances combining vocals, guitar, foot percussion, and harmonica. They’ve recorded four studio albums, won multiple awards, and will be bringing their unique sound to the Unbuckled stage this year.

Willhorse

Willhorse is an all-male country rock band from Golden, BC, with a repertoire of songs that effortlessly gets toes tapping and hips moving within seconds of them taking to the stage. The band has a distinctive, somewhat southern sound reminiscent of ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

These guys first gained success by touring across Canada, winning regular air time on various radio stations across the country and placing in the top 5 of the 2013 Peak Performance Project.

Willhorse are also playing Unbuckled in 2016 (Unbuckled)

Their sound is often described as effortless and natural, filled with powerful rhythms and strong hooks that leave you with no choice other than to sing along.

Locked ‘n Loaded

Locked & Loaded, The Roxy Cabaret’s premier country cover band, will be back to grace the stage at Unbuckled 2016. Catch them playing your favourite country classics, including everything from Johnny Cash to Luke Bryan.

The Yards

Unbuckled – Vancouver’s ultimate backyard BBQ (Unbuckled)

At Unbuckled 2016, all guests are encouraged to gather their posse to book their very own yard; an unsettled 16’ x 16’ plot of grass designed to be decorated and turned into a unique homestead for the team to hang out in.

Yards go on sale on Friday, August 19th, at 10 am, and are available in two tiers:

• Regular ($225): Located near the baseball diamond.
• Themed ($395): Located next to the stage and saloon. These yards are perfectly situated in the middle of all the action. Choose from Wild West, Pirate, Florida Keys or Mexicana and we’ll get your yard space all set for your arrival!

All yards can fit up to 20 people and come equipped with:

• 1 picnic table
• 2 bales of hale
• A clothesline with 20 pegs, and
• A photo package for the entire crew.

You and your team will also get early check-in to the event and are allowed to arrive up to 30 minutes before the gates open to set up your plot.

The teams with the most dolled-up yards on the day will win some fun prizes. If you’re interested in creating your very own piece of southern heaven for the day, they suggest bringing along some of the following decorations:

• Lawn chairs
• Rubber chickens
• Flags
• Garden gnomes
• Handheld water guns
• Inflatables
• Household plants

Please note that the following decorations are not permitted on the event grounds:

• Couches
• Glass items
• Weapons
• Firecrackers
• Cigars/smokes
• Outside alcohol

Please note: Yard sales do not include entry into the event. Each team member needs to buy a ticket to enter the event.

The Games

The On the Chain Gang game at Unbuckled (Unbuckled)

There’s nothing like a little friendly competition. There’ll be three team tournaments open at this year’s event, allowing guests to sign up teams of 8-15 people and compete to win a variety of unique prizes. The tournaments at this year’s event are:

• Hillbilly Hustle: Wheelbarrow races, three legged races, and potato sack races.
• Deadshot Dodgeball: Teams challenge other sharp shooters to prove who’s the grittiest with the deadliest arms.
• On the Chain Gang: Teams walk the line in this traditional tug o’ war game of strength.

Apart from the above tournaments, all guests will be able to partake in a bunch of non-team events, including:

• King of the Rodeo: Get on, hold on, and stay on the mechanical bull.
• Tarnation Toss: Heave your water balloon the furthest without making a splash.
• Heartbreak Hoe Down: In this contest of staying power, participants compete to see who’ll be the last person dancing.
• Pioneer Pong: A large scale version of ping pong where players toss big rubber balls into giant plastic cups.

Join Vancouver’s Biggest Backyard BBQ

Some serious linedancing at Unbuckled 2015 (Unbuckled)

This year, Unbuckled will be bigger than ever before, with an increased capacity of 2,500 cowboys/gals and extended hours.

Tippler’s Saloon will be serving up the best in refreshing cocktails and ice cold brews while the Ranchman’s Grill will provide traditional southern grub, including rib ends, pulled pork sandwiches, smokies, briskets, cornbread, and plenty more.

To make sure you’re part of Vancouver’s Ultimate Backyard BBQ, get your tickets today. There are a limited number of tickets that include a complimentary beverage, a smokie, and a freezie (before 5 pm) for $29.50. Ticket prices will increase closer to the event date. For more information about the event, the site, the games, or food/drink visit unbuckled.ca.

Unbuckled 2016

Where: Brockton Baseball Diamond – Stanley Park, Vancouver

When: Saturday, September 10, from 1 to 9:30 pm

Tickets: Start at $29.50 and include a Starter BBQ Pack (smokie, beverage, and freezie) before 5pm – available at unbuckled.ca

Daily Hive Vancouver is a proud media partner of Unbuckled 2016