# Pontiac Bandits local performances

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pontiac-bandits-local-performances
> Updated: 2026-07-30T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

In late July, the six‑piece country group the Pontiac Bandits from Ladysmith, British Columbia, won Sun FM’s local artist contest and secured an opening slot on the main stage of Sunfest on July 31, marking a dramatic step up from their typical audiences of a few hundred.

A week later, the band was announced as the headline act for the Ladysmith Days celebration on August 2 at the Ladysmith Amphitheatre. The gig was presented as a hometown showcase, referencing the duo’s longtime volunteer work renovating the venue and organizing community concerts, as well as their ongoing studies and family commitments.

## Claims

- Griffin Russell and Kyle Rainone are members of the Pontiac Bandits. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Russell and Rainone volunteered as coordinators for the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association’s Concerts in the Park series at the Ladysmith Amphitheatre during the summers of 2016 and 2017. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- They contributed more than $12,000 of their own money to upgrade the concert experience at the venue. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- They purchased a professional portable sound system and learned to operate live audio equipment. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- They installed ornate carpets on the stage and contributed ideas for the bandshell at the Ladysmith Amphitheatre. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Pontiac Bandits are scheduled to perform on August 2 at the Ladysmith Amphitheatre as part of Ladysmith Days. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The band also has upcoming appearances at Duncan’s 39 Days of July and Sunfest. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Griffin Russell was completing a master’s degree in public studies while volunteering. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Griffin Russell and Kyle Rainone volunteered as co‑ordinators for the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association’s Concerts in the Park series at the Ladysmith Amphitheatre in the summers of 2016 and 2017 (corroborated by 4 sources)
- They invested more than $12,000 of their own money to upgrade the concert experience at the venue (corroborated by 4 sources)
- They purchased a professional portable sound system and taught themselves how to run live audio for the concerts (corroborated by 4 sources)
- During the two summer seasons they hosted 16 concerts at the Ladysmith Amphitheatre (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-30: Pontiac Bandits set to headline Ladysmith Days concert on Aug. 2

Pontiac Bandits will perform on Aug 2 at Ladysmith Amphitheatre for Ladysmith Days, after years of volunteering, spending $12,000 on upgrades and hosting 16 concerts.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pontiac-bandits-to-perform-at-ladysmith-days-on-aug-2

### 2026-07-23: Pontiac Bandits Earn Sunfest Main Stage Slot in Ladysmith

Ladysmith’s country band the Pontiac Bandits won Sun FM’s contest and will open Sunfest’s main stage on July 31, performing before a crowd of up to 15,000.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pontiac-bandits-earn-sunfest-main-stage-slot-in-ladysmith

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Cite as: Pontiac Bandits local performances. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pontiac-bandits-local-performances