Welcome to The Riffolution: Beyond the Beat at The Royal BC Museum

Since 2008, Rifflandia Festival has transformed Victoria into a city-wide stage—reimagining both beloved landmarks and unexpected urban spaces as vibrant festival experiences, with music and community at their heart. Fifteen festivals later, we’ve evolved into a unified and electrifying gathering on the Matullia Lands at Rock Bay—an urban hub rooted in collaboration, creativity, and connection.

On September 11, Rifflandia will kick off its 15th edition, spanning four hype-infused days that welcome community, world-class artists, and experiences that will remain seared into our collective memories. To mark this milestone, we have partnered with the Royal BC Museum to present a special exhibition in the Pocket Gallery, located in Clifford Carl Hall. This mini showcase builds on themes explored in the museum’s current feature exhibit, Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change, highlighting artists who have graced the Rifflandia stages, while using their platform to raise awareness and push for change.

Rifflandia’s influence extends far beyond the West Coast music scene. Over the years, we’ve featured artists who defy convention, speak truth to power, and champion social and environmental justice. The Beyond the Beat exhibit at RBCM explores the long-standing connection between music, activism, protest, and revolution. This companion installation spotlights some of the most outspoken and impactful voices in Rifflandia’s storied history, including Public Enemy, Macklemore, Pussy Riot, Moby, and Courtney Love—artists who have challenged censorship, confronted injustice, and elevated the most pressing issues of our time.

Rifflandia is also celebrating our 15th year with meaningful local action. Through the Give Where You Riff program, 15% of every ticket sold will be donated to 15 community-led organizations, school PACs, and associations. Every ticket purchased helps fund programs that support education, sport, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ communities, music, and Indigenous initiatives, ensuring that the festival’s impact is deeply rooted in the place it calls home. This initiative reflects our enduring belief that music is not just for entertainment, but a force for good.

The Beyond the Beat exhibition opens to the public on June 28 and runs through January 2026. Admission to the Pocket Gallery is free and located on the main floor of the Royal BC Museum. For more information, please visit rifflandia.com and royalbcmuseum.bc.ca