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PHOTO GALLERY: Phillips Backyard Weekender hits all the right notes

Local and international acts keep Victoria crowd cutting a rug
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American comedian, musician, beatboxer and singer Reggie Watts told the Victoria crowd growing up in Montana he caught a lot of “Lethbridge programming” before closing his set with a reference to the CBC. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS

The Phillips Backyard Weekender was in full swing by Saturday afternoon with a line-up that included American rapper Dessa, Vancouver soundscape artists Zee and the Empties and IMUR as well as New York City dance-punk legends !!! (Chk Chk Chk) before headliner Reggie Watts hit the main stage.

Sporting a t-shirt with the word “empathy” across his chest, Watts instantly connected with the Island crowd citing our secret desire not to let anyone else move here and overcrowd us, offered some advice (“moderation”) on the upcoming legalization of marijuana and in a British accent poked fun at our colonial roots and lack of diversity.

“Just kidding – I know you guys know how to party,” Watts joked saying he was warned we’d want to get to bed early.

The master improviser gave the national anthem a new twist and found the customs agent he encountered earlier that day in the crowd, promising everyone he was a perfect gentlemen and followed all protocol.

Before closing out the night with a blast of man-made beats for a crowd of all ages dancing in pockets throughout the lot, Watts said he has six or seven t-shirts emblazoned with the names of his favourite cities of all time.

“One of them says Victoria,” he said.

Phillips Backyard Weekender continues today with Hollie Cook, Small Town Artillery and The Revolution, Prince’s legendary back-up band. For a complete schedule check out BackyardWeekender.com.

Find more coverage from the Victoria News on Twitter and Instagram.

Check out the photo gallery below:

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Nic Offer of !!! (Chk Chk Chk) told the crowd, “It’s true. Elton John is a friend of mine and he likes our band.” Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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!!! (Chk Chk Chk). Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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Nic Offer of !!! (Chk Chk Chk). Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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It was all smiles Saturday at the Phillips Backyard Weekender. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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Dessa, an American rapper from the Twin Cities hip-hop collective Doomtree, gets the crowd going Saturday afternoon. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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American rapper Dessa signs an autograph for a fan after her Saturday afternoon set at Phillips Backyard Weekender. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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Fans take in Dessa’s Saturday afternoon set under the sun at Phillips Backyard Weekender. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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Zac McMillan of Vancouver’s Zee and the Empties. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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IMUR’s Jenny Lea performs on the Picnic-er stage at the Phillips Backyard Weekender. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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Amine Bouzaher of Vancouver’s IMUR, who closed Saturday evening on the Picnic-er stage. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
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The crowd at the main stage gets into New York City’s !!! (Chk Chk Chk)’s Saturday evening set. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS