B.A. Johnston / Ketamines / Korean Gut / Cousins

This afternoon event, hosted at Calgary farm/beehive/community space the Area, provided an excellent start to the day's proceedings, with notorious eccentric B.A. Johnston slinging dogs from a grill outside the shed that contained the stage (the other shed served as a bar), and a bewildering but thoroughly appreciated kiosk providing free samples of expensive scotch, distributed by three young women who looked to have lost their way en route to the Stampede. NEEDS, Ketamines, and Korean Gut turned in energetic sets, with the latter's sardonic surf rock showing that their buzz is well-earned. Things took a turn for the heavier as Halifax's Cousins kicked off a miniature SappyFest featuring fellow east coasters Dog Day and Shotgun Jimmie. Twitter informs us that B.A. himself tore his favourite pair of underwear during his set -- but it was probably worth it.