10 Things we loved about the 10th year of C.O.G.

As we kiss another year of Center of Gravity goodbye, we wanted to take some time to reflect on the epic glory of this long-standing festival to celebrate its 10th birthday.

From a stacked schedule of artists featuring EDM titans and hip hop legends, Center of Gravity tickets have become one of the most sought after ways to make the most of your summer and this year did not disappoint.

In case you missed it, we have been documenting the festivities in full force all weekend. Now, we wanted to bring you some of the highlights once again with 10 reasons we loved the 10th year of Center of Gravity.

1. The New Layout

Following their partnership with Live Nation in 2016, C.O.G. hasn’t only amped up their roster of performers but they have also shaken things up with a new layout.

Shifting the stage to a larger grassy area, the concert bowl was really made the center of attention, while still managing to keep the sporting events an integral part of the festivities.

With more room to rave and a better-controlled party environment, the new set up made for a whole new way of experiencing the decade old festival.

2. The Insane Lineup

Speaking of the new roster of artists at the festival, this year's lineup featured some of the biggest names to hit the C.O.G. stage yet. I mean they had some big shoes to fill after Skrillex and Ice Cube headlined last year, but they more than out did themselves.

Locking down herculean EDM producer, Marshmello, dream team DJ duo, Ephwurd and the behemoth Canadian producer, Excision, it was tough to find someone who wasn’t getting down with the amazing talent on stage.

Though they are known for their focus on electronic music, C.O.G. also makes a point of booking a wicked collection of rap and hip hop artists.

This year they solidified rapper Lil Dicky, whose set was equally as hysterical as it was impressive, Schoolboy Q who closed out the festival and had one of the most loyal audiences rapping along throughout his sets entirety, and original rap pioneer, Snoop Dogg whose appearance drew a crowd that was the biggest and most diverse of the weekend.

3. Promoting Canadian Music

Keeping on the music train, we want to talk about the emphasis on the Canadian talent that was showcased over the weekend. Unlike what you would see at most large festivals in Canada, a big percentage of the acts booked hailed from our home and native land.

With Kelowna boys, Datsik (Ephwurd) and Excision high up in the roster...

...and other BC artists like Dirty Radio, Skii tour and Merkules all killing their sets, you can’t help but wonder what is in the water here in British Columbia.

4. The Sports

Another staple of Centre of Gravity is the sports. From extreme freestyle motorcross that showcased athletes flying through the air conducting dangerous stunts, to BMX and skateboarders showing off their best tricks, it just wouldn’t be C.O.G. without these bad ass athletes showcasing their fearlessness.

But it’s not all jumps and wheelies! Professional basketball and beach volleyball players use the weekend to practice their skills in round robin competitions, providing attendees with endless amounts of entertainment from early morning to late afternoon.

5. The Weather

Weather can make or break a festival weekend, and lucky for us, it made it. With beautiful blue skies, signature Okanagan heat and perfectly chilled evenings, mother nature shined down upon us this year adding to an already incredible weekend.

Even though it can be wonderful, the heat can also be a dangerous beauty that you can get lost in. Luckily there were water stations and food trucks on site to keep ravers happy and hydrated.

6. The Food

Dancing for hours on end in the heat can work up quite the appetite, but C.O.G. had all of your grumbling belly’s needs accounted for.

With local food trucks on site serving up everything from vegan tacos to ice cream and poutine, the options for delicious eats was endless.

7. The Fashion

Let’s get real here for a second - one of the best parts about going to a music festival is the fashion and getting to put together the perfect festival outfit. From group costumes to individual glam, everyone’s attire was on point.

Gone are the days of flower crowns, as 2017 marks the year of skin tight bodysuits, glitter and neon. From gemstone accents in makeup looks to wearing straight up glitter in place of clothing, the ladies and gentleman of C.O.G. were slaying the fashion game.

An added bonus for those who love to make outfit changes was the vendor's village, featuring accessories and trendy staple pieces in abundance and even body painting stations. You could take your look from Coachella circa 2010 to #onfleek with just a quick walk through and people were loving it.

8. The Organization and Security

What people tend to forget about a festival is all of the hard work and planning that goes into it. From the organizing of artists and site planning to keeping attendees safe and having fun, C.O.G. and the staff behind it gave us a weekend to remember.

With the warm temperatures and a jam-packed concert bowl, security was busy. Being sure to keep up with the crowd surfers and those who needed some water in between sets, security guards went above and beyond to keep C.O.G. goers in a positive space.

One of the stigmas surrounding music festivals is the overuse of drugs and alcohol. To help keep attendees and our community safe, C.O.G. recruited the help of local officials to keep an eye on the rowdiness while still making sure the good times never ended.

9. The Longevity

What started as a small festival in the town of Kelowna has since flourished into one of the must-attend events of the summer. Outlasting massive festivals like Pemberton, and Squamish, Center of Gravity has ridden the wave of festival trends, adapting throughout the years to keep things fresh and the hype high.

With the accumulation of the aforementioned things, it is no wonder C.O.G. is celebrating its 10th year and after a damn near perfect 2017, we are sure we’ll be attending for many more years to come.

10. All of You!

You can’t have a great festival without great people and those who attended C.O.G. this year were the cream of the crop. Even if you aren’t a big fan of the music itself, it is almost impossible to have a bad time when everyone else is in paradise.

With smiles everywhere you turned, hugs given out like handshakes and endless hours of dancing, the energy of C.O.G. was a bug that everyone was catching.

It didn’t matter who you are or where you came from, once you entered those festival gates you instantly became part of the #COGSQUAD and the overwhelming feeling of home would rush over you.

Positive vibes buzzing infinitely through a crowd of thousands, outstanding performances from every act that hit the stage, and just a good time all around, Center of Gravity 2017 was pure magic and left everyone stoked for the years to come. See you all next year!

Day one recap

Day two recap

Day three recap

Full weekend gallery, here!