Vancouver Island’s summer live music calendar is getting a heavy boost in 2026, as Mosh the Rock Island MetalFest announced a full-day outdoor event in Sooke, B.C., featuring a mix of international, national and regional metal acts.
The all-ages festival will take place Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Fred Milne Park, with organizers positioning it as a family-friendly event that blends live performances with food, vendors and a licensed beer garden in a coastal setting.
With gates opening at 11:00 a.m. and the first band set to start at 12:00 p.m., the festival is expected to draw fans from across Vancouver Island and beyond, adding to the region’s growing slate of destination music events that support local tourism and seasonal business activity.
Headlining the 2026 edition are Vancouver’s multiple Juno Award–winning metal band Anciients, a booking that gives the event a major Canadian anchor and adds national profile to a festival that is building its reputation on the West Coast.
Joining them as co-headliners are Arrow In The Quiver (Vancouver), The Rising Fall (Chicago, IL), and Squidhammer (Watertown, PA). Organizers said the top tier of the lineup will deliver a blend of progressive, extreme and modern metal styles, aimed at attracting both long-time fans and newcomers.
The event will also feature a strong showing from Vancouver Island and B.C.-based metal acts, including:
- Wolf Venom (Sooke, BC)
- The Grundles (Duncan, BC)
- Dead Rights (Victoria, BC)
- Overditch (Victoria, BC)
- Neveranother (Vancouver, BC)
- Conjure Hand (Victoria, BC)
- As Ash Fell (Nanaimo, BC)
- Mutual Trauma (Victoria, BC)
Organizers described the overall bill as “a stacked lineup of international, national, and regional talent,” with the festival designed to combine “crushing riffs, pit energy, and community spirit on the West Coast.”
From a business standpoint, the event is part of a broader trend of regional festivals expanding beyond major urban centres and creating economic benefits for smaller communities through visitor spending, local vendor participation and seasonal employment.
With Sooke located within driving distance of Victoria, the festival offers an opportunity for day-trippers and overnight visitors, supporting local restaurants, accommodations and retail businesses during the peak summer period. Events hosted in public parks can also increase foot traffic and help raise the profile of local venues and community services.
In addition to live music, the festival will include food trucks, local vendors, and a licensed beer garden, positioning it as a full-day experience rather than a single-stage concert. These added amenities are increasingly important for outdoor festivals, as they help boost on-site spending and create additional revenue opportunities for small businesses.
Organizers emphasized that the event is all-ages and family-friendly, with a ticket structure designed to encourage broad attendance, including youth pricing and free admission for younger children when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
Advance tickets are priced at $50, while tickets purchased at the gate will cost $65. Youth tickets for ages 12 to 17 are $25, and children 11 and under can attend for free with an adult ticket.
Online presale tickets are available through Orange Tickets, while hard copy advance tickets will be sold at several local and regional outlets, including:
- Phoenix Bar and Grill
- Cavity Curiosity Shop
- Long & McQuade
- Sooke Forbes IDA
- Sooke Pharmasave
Additional event information is being shared through the festival’s Facebook page.
Organizers have also published a Spotify playlist tied to the 2026 lineup, offering fans a way to preview the artists and helping build engagement ahead of the event.
“With a world-class headliner, international acts, and a powerful lineup of Vancouver Island talent, Mosh the Rock Island MetalFest 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated metal events of the summer,” the festival said.
The combination of Canadian award-winning talent, touring U.S. acts and local performers reflects a programming approach that can broaden the audience while supporting the regional music ecosystem. For emerging bands, festival slots provide exposure to larger crowds and potential networking opportunities with promoters and industry partners.
For Sooke and surrounding communities, the event adds to the growing business case for cultural tourism, where live music and festivals are increasingly used to drive summer visitation and strengthen local identity.
Mosh the Rock Island MetalFest 2026 takes place Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Fred Milne Park in Sooke, B.C., with gates opening at 11:00 a.m. and music starting at 12:00 p.m.