Sunk City Festival 2025

Nanaimo’s Underground Soundscape Unleashed

Imagine stepping into a secret world where the city’s back alleys and hidden courtyards thrum with hypnotic beats, visceral noise and boundary-pushing performances. What begins as a whisper of bass grows into a roar that sweeps you off your feet—yet the full story only unfolds when you arrive. Curious? You should be.

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Event Overview

Sunk City is a three-day underground music festival held over the May Long Weekend—running May 16, 17 and 18, 2025—in downtown Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Hosted across multiple intimate venues, the festival spotlights the immense local talent of the Snuneymuxw Nation’s unceded lands alongside out-of-town trailblazers, all converging to celebrate experimental sounds, art installations, and community spirit.

Festival Highlights

Lineup & Genres

From queer hyperpop duos to dystopian darkwave, and from heavy-metal techno mashups to ambient drone soundscapes, Sunk City’s 2025 lineup pushes every boundary:
• 2GIRLS1DAW (Vancouver/Surrey) – queer hyperpop/dancecore
• Dielectric (Victoria) – dystopian darkwave synth magic
• Caveman and the Banshee (Nanaimo) – heavy-metal meets techno acid trip
• Yoga with Live Music: Alex Hicks & Cosmic Dust (Nanaimo) – restorative sound journeys
…and dozens more artists spanning noise, punk, electro-doom, folk and psychedelic improvisation.

What to Expect

• Multiple Pop-Up Stages: Experience surprise DJ sets in secret courtyards and guerrilla percussion sessions in vacant storefronts.
• Art & Installation: Keep an eye out for interactive projections and kinetic sculptures tucked between venues.
• Local Eats & Merch: On-site food trucks, beverage stalls and band merch booths keep you fueled—supporting Nanaimo’s vibrant indie scene.

Schedule & Venue Access

Box Office Opens

Venues

Accessibility

Tickets & Packages

• Advance Tickets: Available online via Eventbrite and in person at The Vault Café, Sound Heritage, Noise Agony Mayhem and Lucky Cloud.
• Kids (12 & Under): Free admission—bring the next generation of festival-goers!
• No On-Site Camping: Plan to stay in Nanaimo accommodations; see our travel section below.

Travel & Accommodation

• Getting Here: Nanaimo is easily reached by the BC Ferries from Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay, or via scheduled flights into Victoria International Airport followed by a scenic drive.
• Where to Stay: Look for boutique downtown inns or waterfront hotels within walking distance of most festival venues—book early for best rates.

Disclaimer

Vanislander provides information for general reference only. We do not assume responsibility for any changes, cancellations, or modifications made by third parties. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official websites or social media channels of the respective organizers or businesses.

Insider Tips

Layer Up

May temperatures can dip in the evening—bring a light jacket.

Cash & Cards

Some pop-up spots accept only cash; ATMs are limited downtown.

Charge

Portable battery packs let you capture every moment.

Respect the Spaces

Venues are community hubs—treat them with care so they’ll welcome us back.

For more information on the full lineup, detailed schedule, ticket options and venue details, head to the official Sunk City Festival page on Backyard Fest at www.backyardfest.ca. You can also explore the complete May 16–18, 2025 schedule—including box office times and pop-up stage locations—at www.backyardfest.ca/schedule. To dive deeper into artist bios, past lineups and festival history, visit the “Lineup” and “Past Lineups” sections on the site.

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