It’s a welcome sign of fall and a new term – Yorkfest, York’s party to beat all parties. This year’s free big bash and “everything-you-want-to-know-about-York” festival is back with a bang. The event is set to take place on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the Harry Arthurs Common, on York’s Keele campus. The York University Student Centre in conjunction with the Underground are presenting Yorkfest, which is the largest 
one day event at the University.
Right: Scene from last year’s Yorkfest
Now in its 10th year, Yorkfest provides a great opportunity for new musical talent to shoulder up to big name bands during a mainstage concert. Each year the musical act component of Yorkfest grows and changes to accommodate students’ taste in music and performances.
The talented musical groups set to perform this year include:
K-OS (left) is a hip-hop revolutionary. A rising star in the hip-hop world, K-OS defies convention. He casts aside the stereotypes associated with rap artists and pushes for change. His socially significant lyrics are powerful and his performances are memorizing.
The Cheap Suits (right) were born in a basement in Scarborough. What started as a one-off performance for their high-school talent night has turned into a promising career for these young upstarts. Five years later, the band has found its footing and sound and is ready to roll with their catchy blend of pop, punk, ska and soul.
Rising from the ashes of London, Ont. based band POPJOY, The Joys (left) are a four-piece group that mixes many musical influences, resulting in a sound that is both contemporary and classic in its origins, and served up with heaping doses of energy.
Liam Titcomb (right) is a native of Toronto and he isn’t afraid to make music his own way. Titcomb’s debut album features a pop base with an underlying folk flavour. His poetic lyrics and vibrant voice have a slight country feel.
Controller.Controller (left) has an energetic sound that is rhythmic post-punk rock, taking a cue from late 70s and early 80s bands like P.I.L., The Slits and Joy Division. Controller.Controller is all about tension and opposition, juxtaposing discordant and jagged rhythms with disarmingly pretty melody and counter-melody.
Jully Black (right) is known for her signature rasp and soul-stirring voice. She captured the ears of rappers like Choclair, Kardinal Offishall and Baby Blue Soundcrew, who recruited Jully to sing and write on their singles. Her association with Canada’s hip-hop elite became a launching pad for her career and now she’s received four Juno Award nominations and four MuchMusic Video Award nominations.
Also featured is the band Biggs Philosophies. The winners of York’s 2005 Battle of the Bands, this group’s indie-rock sound is post-punk and gives new meaning to the term “atomic”. Headed for stardom, they’ve returned to their York roots for YorkFest.
In addition to the concert, York’s many student services and clubs offer informative displays in the York Village. This year the village area will highlight more services on-campus than in previous years; and host over 80 tables including clubs, services and companies all offering tons of prizes and giveaways.
Check the Yorkfest Web site for a full event schedule.