Can a Lopstock revival conjure local music magic a third time?

Brendan Garlick has had his share of highs and lows.

In 2016, at the end of what he describes as “a long run of back luck and poor decisions,” Garlick got on a bus and left the city.

“Even though my body returned 8 months later, it felt like I haven't really been present again until this summer,” says the musician and artist. 

“My own life has been an unpredictable rollercoaster over the past twelve months, and with the pandemic firmly behind us, I was feeling impatient for my favourite bar to reopen.”

Garlick decided to do something about it.

He walked down to Loplops and knocked on the door.

Garlick told Loplops owner Stephen Alexander that he wanted to bring Lopstock back.

Lopstock, an original music festival, originated back in 2014 when Garlick’s band Gnaeus was looking to make a name for itself and break into the bar scene.

“Gnaeus, had only played a single show and I was looking to get more exposure for ourselves and other local bands that hadn't broken into the bar scene yet including K.I.C.K., The Pixo Control, and The Fraisers.”

His concept was to keep the event focused on “all original” music.

“The rules of Lopstock are that bands are allowed only one cover song,” he says.

“The event was billed as ‘A Bohemian Conclave in Sault Ste. Marie’ and ‘1 Day of Peace & Music’.”

Garlick noted that at the time it was “extremely challenging” for young musicians to get bar owners to take a chance on original music.

“It's far easier to book Bon Jovi covers for the millionth time, because those are perceived to draw a consistent crowd. By showcasing local artists at Lopstock, my hope is that more people will become aware of the huge amount of talent we have in this city and we'll get more shows as a result.”

Back in 2014 when Garlick was first developing the event, he set a date and reached out to the city to see if he could book the band shell at Bellevue Park but was convinced to plan an event at the Bondar Pavilion.

After reaching out to George Ravlich of Crank Sound Distribution to do sound, he discovered another festival was booked on the same day.

“Second Stage” was being coordinated by Stephen Alexander and being held on Queen Street in front of his bar on the same date.

So Garlick met with Alexander and Ravlich to discuss options.

Alexander offered the space inside his club as a potential location for the event and Ravlich offered an option to help make providing sound for the event financially feasible.

“Steve was all in for the event,” says Garlick.

“George believes in supporting local artists and he's a sweetheart.”

With the details worked out, Lopstock was born.

In the end, the event was successful enough to make a return the following year in 2015.

Fast forward to 2023, Garlick founded a new live entertainment company, Sault Noir, to promote events locally.

For his first act under that banner, he decided it was time to create the magic of Lopstock again.

“There are further exciting things to come from Sault Noir later in the year," he says.

“But my first focus is Lopstock 3.”

With the continued support of both Ravlich and Alexander, Lopstock 3 is set to bring the name back on July 29, 2023.

“I did my best to grab all of the up-and-coming local artists in my favorite genres,” says Garlick.

The event will feature local acts Pointless, Handsome Sandwich, Hollow Heads, Stoneburgh & Sawbé, Bold Noize, The Bag, Far From Fine, Jupiter Marvelous, Hannah Lindsay and Julianna Regan. 

“We'll have folk, rap, indie rock, pop punk, shoegaze, and metal. Obviously, I want people to feel like they're getting their money's worth when they buy a ticket. I don't want the show to get stale at any point.”

Garlick notes that another underlying goal of the event is to “promote networking between musicians.”

“Bill Priddle [from Pointless] and Juliana Regan are two of the most talented musicians currently haunting Coch's Corner on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Handsome Sandwich and Hollow Heads are, in my opinion, the two 'hottest' bands in the Sault - they're young, energetic, extremely talented, and ambitious. Stoneburgh, Sawbé, and Bold Noize, are technically proficient, melodic, insightful, and obviously driven. They're quickly disproving the notion that the Sault rap scene can't be taken seriously. Hannah Lindsay is brilliant and soulful, and fresh off her recent EP release. The Bag, Jupiter Marvelous, and Far From Fine are hidden gems that have been floating around the scene for a while and are ready to emerge from flying under the radar.”

Garlick notes that some of the members of acts on this year’s bill, played the original Lopstock events in 2014/15, albeit with different bands.

Garlick himself will not be performing at this event, but acting as M.C. and organizer for the event.

“A big part of this event is to show off how good my taste in music is,” he laughs.

“Seriously, all the artists are amazing.”

Lopstock 3 is happening on July 29, 2023 from 5 p.m. until 1a.m. The event takes place at Loplops (651 Queen St. East). Tickets for the event are $25 and can be purchased online here. Tickets are limited to 100.

Find out more information about Lopstock 3 here or by emailing Sault Noir directly here.