Still Dark in pictures: Three nights, five venues, 22 performers

Still Dark Festival’s punk, metal, folk and hip-hop became a weekend-long beacon of light to a sold-out Yellowknife crowd.

Artistic director Taylor Shephard said he was thrilled as the festival grew for its second year. “We’re really, really stoked with how it all went. All the bands, both locally and out of town, they did amazing,” he said.

“All the venues really showed up for the support. Our sound techs in town really killed it. Everyone, from the photographers to our volunteers, they really brought their best and we really appreciate it.”

Man on stage points at the crowd — JUNK at the Top Knight. The Vancouver rapper just returned to Canada after spending the last year touring through Europe. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

People in a mosh pit — Still Dark invited a wild crowd. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Band performs on stage — Brenden MacIntosh, pictured at the Raven Pub, plans to record an EP in March. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Twenty-two bands and soloists performed at the Elks Lodge #314, Gold Range, Raven Pub, Top Knight and Underground.

“It’s been a community effort,” said Layne Rybchinksi, co-owner of The Underground and drummer for Lester Slade.

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Rybchinksi said watching the festival’s vision come to life in its second year had been exciting, adding: “We’re bringing the community back together, one festival at a time.”

A band performs on stage — Lester Slade performs at the Gold Range. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Woman with a guitar on stage — Amy Nelson, with bandmate Jeffrey Oman, played in Yellowknife for the first time at The Underground. She just finished recording her second album. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Many artists debuted new songs.

“There were a couple new tunes that we played tonight for the first time, and I think it’s a great direction that we’re going to continue to write in,” Ben Cornel said of his set.

3 men perform on stage — The Northstars in support of Ben Cornel. Pictured from left: Glen Whalen, Benji Straker and Vishwaa Ramakrishnan. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

3 people leaned together to sing — Members of Prime Time perform an encore. The act has evolved from a cover band to performing original material. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Woman performs on stage — Edmonton-based Verttigo at The Raven. Singer Jasmine Ming-Wai Ma, in Yellowknife for the first time, revealed her uncle used to work at the Raven. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

man in front of laptop and microphone — Jonny Vu performs at the Top Knight. He also captured photos and video of the various performances. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Woman with guitar — Tansy, pictured at The Underground, also led a workshop called Money Basics for Artists. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Rainbow button that says "Fuck your executive order" on boots — While there were plenty of band T-shirts on display and for sale, most attendees wore sensible boots that would help them navigate between the five venues. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

A tape is on display at a merch table. — Artists brought T-shirts, vinyl and even a cassette tape for the merch tables. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

All the performers who spoke to Cabin Radio hope the festival comes back next year.

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Damon Benoit, singer for Sun Starved, was grateful to the organizers for dealing with Friday’s power outage and keeping the night going.

Calling Shephard a gem, Benoit thinks this festival is much-needed.

“God bless him for helping organize this stuff. It’s like the beginning of a resurgence in the Yellowknife music scene,” Benoit said.

“Something like Still Dark is a huge symbol of that, it’s a huge piece of that resurgence in the music scene – so more festivals like this, more acts like this, where you’re getting people from out of town, people from in town, people who might not be super-comfortable playing their own show can kind-of just jump in.

“I think it’s a fantastic festival and means a lot.”