The Milk Carton Kids are returning to Vancouver Island MusicFest

The Milk Carton Kids first played MusicFest in 2012 when they opened for KD Lang.

鈥淎nyone who saw that show that night knew then they would be around for a long time,鈥� says Doug Cox, MusicFest Artistic Director. 鈥淪ince then they鈥檝e gone on to become the darlings of the Americana music scene.鈥�

Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan got together over a decade ago. Now, with seven studio albums to their credit, they have maintained their characteristic minimalist sound while finding fresh, exiting expressions for their music.

What started as a three-week recording session in the fall of 2021, with Pattengale producing the contemporary folk duo himself for the first time, stretched into a months-long project that found the pair digging deeper into their craft than ever before.

With a new studio of their own in Los Angeles and the realization that they were in no hurry, The Milk Carton Kids took the time they needed to be fully satisfied with I Only See the Moon.

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 been as happy with the collection of songs that we鈥檝e put on record probably since our first record, and it鈥檚 because of a lot of the lessons we鈥檝e learned over the years, including giving yourself time and space,鈥� said Ryan.

The three-time Grammy nominees sound refreshed on 10 new songs distilled to the essence of The Milk Carton Kids: two voices blended together in spellbinding harmony, accompanied by subtly perfect acoustic instrumentation. Turns out that鈥檚 a tough sound to get just right, but I Only See the Moon shows just how much Pattengale and Ryan were willing to work for it.

The Milk Carton Kids will perform on Friday, July 12th on the concert bowl stage.

Vancouver Island MusicFest takes place July 12 鈥� 14, 2024. For an up-to-date list of all currently announced performers, tickets, camping and information, visit