The Prince George Metal Festival (PGMF) is launching its first event and aims to unite metal bands from across BC and Alberta with local bands in the North.
The event will take place May 29 and 30 at Legion 43, with a two-night lineup featuring artists from Edmonton, Vancouver and the North.
A total of 11 bands will perform during the two-day event, including headliner Cocaine Mustache, Vancouver bands Terrifier, MVLGRAVE and Shattered Throne, and a longtime heavy hitter of the western Canada metal scene, Edmonton’s Quietus.
Longtime metalhead and PGMF organizer Brad Foster said the event drew a lot of interest during the planning stage, thanks in part to fellow organizer and metalhead Dusty Gagnon.
“The PGMF is myself and Dusty Gagnon from the band Dead Horse Hill. It literally started with a conversation over Facebook. He messaged me and said he wanted to do something with Cocaine Mustache, our Friday night headliner. I said let me see what I can do, and that put the wheels in motion. From inception to finishing the first one was about a week,” said Foster.
Foster said he is particularly excited for Friday’s headliner.
“They’re a fantastic party band. They’re not your typical blast beat, full-on speed metal band. They’re more of a very heavy blues rock band that has a fantastic message about partying — that it’s just part of everyone’s life. It’s a fantastic release, just like the music, just like the mosh pits,” he said.
Foster has been a frequent member of the northern scene for decades and is a fan of the bands playing. His own band, Deveined, is also scheduled to perform May 30.
He said the metal scene in Prince George and the North is strong, something that made him want to showcase its growth over decades.
“The metal scene here is strong. Omnicena and the Legion put on constant shows,” said Foster. “Omnicena allows all ages, which really helps. The metal scene here has been around since the early 1970s. I don’t know if some people even realize that it goes back that far.”
He added the scene has grown in recent years because local bands are choosing to stay in Prince George, something the PGMF can benefit from.
“What you see now is a lot of people staying in Prince George,” said Foster. “In the past, a lot of really quality players moved to Vancouver or Edmonton or other locations for a bigger market, but I feel that local metal bands right now are staying close to home and supporting each other. There’s a lot of support.”
He attributed the North itself as one of the reasons for that growth, inspiring the metal scene for one simple reason.
“People being forced to spend half their time indoors,” he said.
Funds from a PGMF ticket contest will also go to a good cause. Foster said a local metalhead and his family have fallen on hard times, with serious medical issues leaving him unable to work.
While the individual is receiving disability support, it is not enough and has forced the family to downsize significantly.
The rules for the contest are listed below:
Send an e-transfer of $5 to [email protected]
Make the security answer: PGMF
Include your name and phone number in the message section so organizers can reach out
Winners will receive five weekend passes to the festival, with the winner announced May 15, 2026.
Tickets for PGMF are $35 for one night or $60 for both nights when purchased together. Tickets are available at Grow King Hydroponics.
Those outside Prince George who plan to attend can message PGMF on Facebook to purchase tickets.