9 things you need to see at Supercrawl 2016

Downtown Hamilton's biggest party is upon us — Supercrawl 2016 is this weekend.

There's more happening than one person could possibly see, and that's why you'll need to be choosy.

With that in mind, here are nine things you need to watch for at Supercrawl this year.

1. Matt Andersen & The Bona Fide

Even when he's sitting on stage with some of Canada's best musicians, New Brunswick's Matt Andersen totally stands out.

That's what happened in 2015, when Andersen played the Juno Songwriters' Circle in Hamilton alongside big names like Lights and Ian Thornley from Big Wreck.

Even in esteemed company like that, Andersen was the sole artist to actually bring people out of their seats, prompting cheers and bursts of applause mid-song.

His playing straddles folky fingerstyle and emphatic, soulful blues — and his voice is otherworldly.

Simply put: do not miss this set.

Andersen plays the Hamilton International Airport Stage at James and King on Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

2. The Dirty Nil

The Dirty Nil is one of Canada's best live bands, bar none.

The energy crackling through their set is undeniable, and now on the back of their first full-length release Higher Power, Luke Bentham, Kyle Fisher and Dave Nardi have been touring all over the world.

Their combination of punk, garage rock and pop hooks is coupled with a sincere reverence for rock and roll, which comes through in earnest in how sweaty the stage becomes after a performance.

The Dirty Nil plays the Exclaim/K-Lite FM stage at James and Murray on Friday at 9:30 p.m.

3. Circus Orange

Now a Supercrawl stalwart, Circus Orange's fiery acrobatics show draws massive crowds every year.

This year they're going full Spider-Man on the parking garage at York and James:

If you like aerial arts and tons of fire, this is the show for you.

Circus Orange performs at the parking garage at York and James on Saturday at 9:30 p.m.

4. Food

It's tough to leave Supercrawl hungry. There's tons of food on every corner.

On the food truck side, expect your staple hot dogs, poutines and beaver tails, as well as more eclectic fare like Brazilian food and chutneys.

There are also a ton of restaurants on James Street North, like Salt Lick for barbecue and Charred for rotisserie chicken, Work for great nachos and newcomer Born and Raised for pizza and other wood-fire goodness.

There are also great restaurants on adjoining streets just steps away, like the Burnt Tongue for soup on Cannon Street, or Hambrgr and Fsh & Chp on King William. Make sure to stop into The Mule on King William for Tacos, too.

5. Art

Channeling the spirit of the James Street Art Crawl, art installations are peppered all over Supercrawl.

You can't miss Cock Robin — a huge installation of a bird with a Second World War hand grenade that looms large over the street (and is conveniently located at 118 James Street North in the same building as CBC Hamilton).

Also make sure to watch out for Riskee Ball. It's a reimagining of the arcade staple ski-ball, but it shoots fire.

6. Turning LRT into ART

And speaking of art, CBC Hamilton is housing an exhibit of our own, called Turning LRT into ART.

It's a collaborative art piece, curated by CoBalt Connects.

Here's how it works. Drop into our office at 118 James Street North and answer a simple question: "How do you feel about LRT in Hamilton?"

Using your answers (chosen from multiple choice options running the gamut of reactions seen locally), participants then colour in a square on a large canvas housed in our lobby.

By the end of the weekend, we'll have pieces of art that are created out of people's opinions about one of the city's most important and controversial issues.

7. Choir! Choir! Choir!

Bring your singing voices to what promises to be one of the coolest performances of the festival.

Choir! Choir! Choir! is a collaborative performance including the audience. The band has been backed up by members of Blondie, R.E.M., The Pixies and the Flaming Lips.

Seriously, just watch the video above. Don't miss this.

Choir! Choir! Choir! is playing on Sunday at 4 p.m. on the Hamilton International Airport Stage.

8. The weather

So, not to be "that guy" at a party two years in a row, but the forecast isn't 100 per cent in Supercrawl's favour.

Friday is looking nice (mainly sunny with a high of 28 C) — but Saturday's forecast is calling for a 70 per cent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Sunday is much better, with a mix of sun and cloud.

Anyone who soldiered through Supercrawl last year knows that the show goes on regardless. Many performers and thousands of people pushed through torrential rains last year, all weekend.

So bring an umbrella and a rain jacket Saturday, and don't let being damp slow you down.

9. Fashion

The Supercrawl fashion stage showcases some of the coolest sights of the weekend, with a runway plunked right down on the street at James and Murray.

Aggy Power's "Nerds Unite" showcase will appeal to geeks and designers alike, while Blackbird Studios and The Eye of Faith highlight local fashion.

Supercrawl runs from Sept. 9 to Sept. 11 around James Street North. For more info, visit Supercrawl.ca.

adam.carter@cbc.ca