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In the mid-2000s, Clark turned the Wolfe Island Music Festival, which started as a dock party, into one of the best secret Canadian music parties in Canada. It features unbeatable sightlines (seriously, sit on a blanket and see the stage for most of the day if you like), great food, a comfortable crowd and, most importantly, great lineups.

This is like Wet Hot American Summer for Canadian indie rock bands

The first of Saturday night’s big three acts, the aforementioned Hayden, said midway through his set that Wolfe Island was one of those festivals that other musicians often talk about when they cross paths on the road. The baritone folk singer’s hit filled-set — which included “Trees Lounge,” “Bad As They Seem” and “Dynamite Walls” — was notable both for its excellent sound and for its equally striking sunset set time.

Operators brought Dan Boeckner back to the Island for the first time since 2008, when he played with Handsome Furs. “This is like Wet Hot American Summer for Canadian indie rock bands,” Boeckner joked early in a rollicking showcase of new songs and tracks from the group’s debut EP. He wasn’t kidding — his former Wolf Parade bandmate Spencer Krug aired out his Moonface project earlier in the day. Sadly no Wolf Parade mini-reunion featured during either set.

Less sad was the closing set by 2006 headliners Constantines. A year into the Cons reunion, they’re still playing the same set at pretty much every show, but on a night like this one it hardly mattered. From Hayden to Boeckner to Bry Webb and Co., this year’s fest felt like a weird window into the beginning of Canadian indie rock’s greatest moment. When the crowd put its hands up during the breakdown in Shine A Light, the excitement of 2003 washed over a diehard crowd.

But you also couldn’t ask for a better backdrop. If the a future bill appeals to you, Wolfe Island is a can’t miss festival experience.