Side by Side Weekend Marks Five Years of DIY at Club SAW
Ruby Doom, photo by Rebecca Judd
Walking through the gates of the Club SAW courtyard Friday night, palpable excitement weighed in the air just as heavily as the late-July humidity. Though performances wouldn’t start for another half an hour, a line of eager Side by Side Weekend (SBSW) festival-goers smiled ear to ear as they received their neon wristbands—an accessory worn by seemingly everyone in the Ottawa music scene all weekend long.
July 25th-27th celebrated Side by Side Weekend’s fifth anniversary. This milestone year for the independent, genre-diverse festival saw a lineup of over 30 artists, 70 per cent being Ottawa-area-based. Returning to artist-run centre Club SAW (plus a free offsite show at the Ottawa Pumphouse!), the three days of live music from heavy-hitters and up-and-comers were curated by co-presenters Club Records, Congrego, First Crush, and Fortress alongside the Side by Side Weekend team.
Bucko, photo by Ming Wu
On opening night, new-on-the-scene band lady grey and the phantoms served up candid, smouldering shoegaze, reminiscent of earlier sounds from fellow Ottawa group Empty Nesters. Next, local legend BUCKO turned a candle-lit performance on its head, premiering a new, dance-driven sound that raised heart rates and spirits. From there, Friday emulated heavier tones, first from Neurotypes. Fronted by multi-instrumentalist Nat Resi, the group stood out for its 80s-inspired sound à la Faith by The Cure, with a playful approach. Noise trio VICTIME engulfed the courtyard into an anti-rock whirlpool, with each member embodying the off-kilter deliciousness of their 2024 return En conversation avec. The cherry on top of Day 1 was synth-punk headliner Slash Need. Along with their entourage of lusty dancers, frontperson Dusty Lee and mad scientist synth maestro Lex Low chewed and spat out the audience with a venomous shadow show.
Hug Mosh, photo by Rebecca Judd
Day 2 of Side by Side began with Ruby Doom, an electric femme three-piece from Brantford, ON. Uplifted by the scorching snarl of singer-guitarist Cadence Nixon, the group’s alt-punk anthems had bodies grooving throughout the courtyard. Their camaraderie and effortlessness conjured visions of Bikini Kill, leaving the courtyard supercharged for the spectacle to follow. Shortly thereafter, Ottawa hyperpop heroine (and SBSW co-organizer) Hug Mosh took to the stage, decked out in a white lace dress, brown Doc Martens, and earth-toned bolo tie. They flaunted their trademark flow across synthetic new picks from latest EP, coolest girl in the world, before descending into the crowd for beloved rager “Cool Dance.” Closing things out was Afro-rap artist Banggz, who transported Club SAW to Lagos with his skillful flow and roster of dynamic collaborators.
glowveins, photo by Rebecca Judd
Running on fumes, Day 3 of the festival called for sunscreen, shades, and Side by Side x Spark Beer Palsner, as dozens flocked to The Pumphouse for Congrego’s (free!) park showcase. The beaming golden sun grinned on partakers and performers alike, as the afternoon moved through the textured bounce of Nothing Nobody, the discordant drive of glowveins, and the twinkling electronica of Sam Aleums. Most heartening about this magic was the passersby who soaked it in—halting their bikes to linger along the pathway—and the handful of children trying to decode the sonic swirl. The park showcase welcomed not only SBSW devotees into the fold, but curious community members from every walk of life.
The last hours of the day were spent back at SAW, where Side by Side Weekend shared the grounds with Ottawa indie label Club Records. Taking to the indoor stage for her first-ever show was Alyssa Iswolsky, otherwise known as Devoter, who drew listeners in for an emotive acoustic landslide. Iswolsky took time to apologize for her “bummer music,” but her eloquence and vulnerability were welcomed by the crowd. Outside, anticipation simmered for Knitting, the Montreal slacker-rock troupe led by pensive frontperson Mischa Dempsey. Between selections new and old, including springtime release “Nite Lite,” Dempsey took time to spread their appreciation for SBSW and the Ottawa arts scene – a message that lingered in the courtyard air.
Los3r, photo by Rebecca Judd
And to cap the festival off, back in Club SAW, the time had come for Los3r – the Ottawa glitchcore trio whose prolific sincerity has stoked a cult following. Los3r powered through a colourful 45-minute set—at one point teasing the prospect of “100 more songs”—and left every last grain of energy on the stage. Their performance—a sweaty, euphoric freefall—marked not a closing, but a release. It etched the fifth edition of Side by Side Weekend into hearts across the city.
Side by Side Weekend
Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (she/her) is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Also Cool Mag. Aside from the mag, she is a music promoter & booker, and a radio host & DJ.
Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag. She is currently based in Ottawa.
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