Squamish will be rocking to the sound of top touring acts Arcade Fire, Eminem and Bruno Mars this summer.

The fifth edition of the Squamish Valley Music Festival is going big in a bid to attract close to 35,000 music fans daily, from Aug. 8-10, with its site capacity expanded from 17,000 last year.

Other notable performers will include alternative pop duo Broken Bells, British pop-rockers Arctic Monkeys, influential rap group The Roots, pop-rocker Lykke Li and Canadian rockers Sam Roberts Band.

“We’re taking it to the next level and delivering an event that’s bigger and better than ever,” Live Nation Canada president Paul Haagenson said during a press conference Wednesday at the Commodore Ballroom, with representatives from the District — including Mayor Rob Kirkham — in attendance.

===

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL SQUAMISH VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP

===

Haagenson touted the economic benefits for the District of Squamish.

In 2013, he said, the festival had an economic impact of $18.7 million.

“Our goal is to make this the best festival in Canada,” Haagenson added.

With four improved stages located around Centennial Field and Loggers Sports Grounds featuring top rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic music and a strong B.C. presence (including local performers such as The Zolas, We Are The City, Good For Grapes, Rykka and more on the bill), the festival is hoping to align itself with the elite festivals in North America, such as Indio’s Coachella, Chicago’s Lollapalooza, and Montreal’s Osheaga.

The layout of the Squamish site has been expanded to include nearby Brennan Park, where the main “Tantalus” stage will now be located, effectively growing the festival’s area space from 31 to 80 acres.

“We’re introducing some larger format staging and a great many things that will make people realize we are now a world-class festival,” said Paul Runnals, the festival’s executive producer and vice-president of brand.LIVE, which co-produces the event.

Runnals mentioned significant improvements to the festival’s shuttle bus service, increased camping, and answers to concerns from residents in the area, including better waste management.

“There’s a lot of work going on,” Runnals said. “It’s going to continue for many more months.”

Some presale weekend passes will be available starting Monday, while the public sale will begin at 10 a.m. on Feb. 7.

Prices are $250 (presale), $295 (public sale) and $599 (VIP package) plus taxes and charges via Ticketmaster. Tickets will only be available in wristband form as the festival is doing away with paper tickets in 2014. The festival will also be entirely cashless, using the reloadable wristband chip system that was introduced last year.

Camping passes must be purchased when buying festival wristbands. Single-day wristbands will be made available, but only closer to festival time.

The entire schedule for the Squamish Valley Music Festival will be released in a few weeks.

Lineup and site details, ticketing info and answers to frequently asked questions are available at squamishfestival.com.

fmarchand@vancouversun.com

vancouversun.com/awesomesound

twitter.com/FMarchandVS