Adding to the mix is the Battle of the Beats – Whistler’s ultimate town
party and spectacle on Saturday April 16 from 8:30–10pm. Featuring free
flowing battles between MCs, DJs, break dancers, fire-spinners, go-go
dancers and Brazilian Capoiera performers, the Battle lays claim to a
stellar line-up of performers including Prevail and Moka Only from Swollen
Members Fame, K’naan, Vinyl Ritchie, Emotionz, Mat the Alien, Grandtheft, DR
one and many more.



“We are extremely happy to have finished off the 2005 concert line-up with
bands that have really made their mark in BC,” said Derek Arrowsmith,
Upstream Entertainment. “The Tea Party has demonstrated true staying power,
and Xavier Rudd is one of the fastest growing artists on earth, with his
easy grooves and incredible lyrics.”



These performers join a line-up of Juno-nominated artists playing at this
year’s Festival. Finger Eleven was nominated for Single of the Year and DL
incognito for Rap Recording of the Year. Outside of the Junos, you can’t
open an entertainment publication without press on the breakout Canadian
artists Hot Hot Heat from Victoria, who are bound for stardom. The
international talent is also not to be overlooked – Toots & the Maytals are
coming off a Grammy win for Reggae Album of the Year, and are largely
credited with originating the genre. The String Cheese Incident and Michael
Franti & Spearhead attract loyal cult-like followings that crave their
unique and powerful live performances.



Bios of the band additions appear below:



Tea Party – One of Canada’s premier bands, the Tea Party has been pumping
out chart-topping albums and rocking big crowds for over a decade. From Juno
nominations and multiple Much Music Video Awards, to touring with such
heavyweights as Ozzy Osbourne, The Prodigy, New order, Garbage and The White
Stripes, these guys have done it all.



Xavier Rudd – The critically acclaimed, heart warming and musically talented
Xavier is likened to Kurt Cobain on Prozac, spreading an essential
contemporary spirituality. Currently touring with Jack Johnson, Xavier is a
unique multi-instrumentalist solo artist whose songs balance acoustic soul,
manic fretwork, rhythmic stomps, exotic percussion and modernized
didgeridoo, Xavier’s performances are mesmerizing.



The 2005 DKNY Outdoor Concert Series offers the strongest music line-up to
date and every concert is free of charge. For a complete schedule of
Festival events, log onto www.whistler2005.com.



The TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, voted Whistler’s “Event of the
Year”, is produced by W1 – Whistler’s largest sport and entertainment
marketing company. Experience the synergy of legendary music, arts and
sports events, featuring the World Snowboarding Invitational, the World
Skiing Invitational and the DKNY Jeans Outdoor Concert Series, as well as
the Pro Photographer Showdown and Filmmaker Showdown. New additions to the
line-up this year include the Smirnoff Experience and BRAVE Art. For more
information please visit www.whistler2005.com.