As serene Del Crary Park continues to stir from its winter slumber, it’s hard to picture the treasured urban greenspace being the frenetic home in but six weeks to live music, singing, dancing, and thousands of smiling faces.
But that will indeed be the case starting Saturday, June 28 as Peterborough Musicfest embarks on its 38th summer season of free concerts, that night welcoming Juno award-winning musician Serena Ryder back to its stage to open the annual festival.
Before a large crowd buzzing with anticipation, most of the remaining season lineup was revealed Thursday morning (May 15) at The Silver Bean Café in Millennium Park — along with a new performance opportunity for local musicians.
After opening remarks from Musicfest board chair Brian Ellis and Musicfest executive director Tracey Randall, emcee Vince Bierworth revealed the acts confirmed date-by-date, noting the headliners for four concert nights can’t yet be revealed due to ongoing negotiations or contractual obligations.
Still, Bierworth had plenty to share. Including six concerts announced earlier this year — Ryder’s season opener on June 28, punk rockers Gob on July 19, U2 tribute band Acrobat on August 2, Celtic rockers Mudmen (with Irish Millie) on August 6, The Celtic Tenors on August 9, and classic rock mainstay Kim Mitchell closing out the festival on August 16 — there’s a total of 16 shows scheduled.
Here’s the Peterborough Musicfest summer lineup, with four concerts in July still to be announced.
- Serena Ryder (rock) – Saturday, June 28
- Neon Nostalgic (retro rock tribute) – Tuesday, July 1
- William Prince (folk/country) – Wednesday, July 2
- To be announced – Saturday, July 5
- To be announced – Wednesday, July 9
- Steven Page (pop/rock) – Saturday, July 12
- Sloan (indie rock) – Wednesday, July 16
- Gob (punk rock) – Saturday, July 19
- Abbamania and Night Fever (ABBA/Bee Gees tribute) – Wednesday, July 23
- To be announced – Saturday, July 26
- To be announced – Wednesday, July 30
- Acrobat (U2 tribute) – Saturday, August 2
- Mudmen (Celtic rock with guest Irish Millie) – Wednesday, August 6
- The Celtic Tenors (Celtic) – Saturday, August 9
- Choir! Choir! Choir! (Queen music singalong) – Wednesday, August 13
- Kim Mitchell (classic rock) – Saturday, August 16
Country music, which has always been a popular park draw, is missing from the list but, according to Randall, two of the headliners to yet be announced will fill that void.
After the reveal, Randall provided insight as to why certain acts can’t yet be announced.
“I’ve got a couple of bands that are playing at other festivals, selling tickets right now, so we’re not allowed to announce (them) until June,” she explained. “We’ll do that as soon as we can in a couple of weeks.”
Speaking to sponsorships for the season, which are key to the offering of free-admission concerts, Randall says she’s at about 83 per cent of the goal, adding “I need about another $80,000.”
Another factor is confirmation of grants from upper levels of government that have been applied for.
“Last year, Miskin Law came in the week before we opened with $25,000, so we were able to go and get Metric (last year). We’re hoping we get a little more funding. Prices have gone up, our costs have gone up, so we have to find the money somewhere. We’ll do it. Every year we make it work.”
As for the music genre mix of the lineup, Randall is “really happy.”
“I love William Prince,” she said of the Juno award-winning roots singer-songwriter. “Thanks to FedDev (the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) who has given us the funding (for that show).”
“Sloan got stuck on the runway in Halifax the last time, so they didn’t come until the Sunday,” said Randall, referring to the Juno award-winning rock quartet’s rescheduled July 16, 2013 appearance at Musicfest. “Only 5,000 people showed up — we expected 10,000.”
“I’m really excited too about Serena Ryder. She has been a favourite of mine since I was a kid. And Choir! Choir! Choir! did so well last year, so we’re really happy to get them back.”
VIDEO: “Money City Maniacs” – Sloan
Besides announcing of the summer lineup, the reveal also brought news that’s sure to be music to the ears of local musicians.
On eight or so concert evenings yet to be determined, a second stage — sponsored by Cogeco and located near the food vendors — will be home to pre-main show acoustic performances by local musicians.
The Future Sounds Stage, says Randall, will not only “partly extend the night” for concert attendees, but also address some criticisms that Musicfest doesn’t do enough to promote the local music community.
“Every year, we try to have three or four (local acts) and we do,” says Randall, pointing to Irish Millie’s opening for Mudmen this season and Millbrook native Ryder’s opening night turn.
“We want the future Serena Ryders on our stage. Jimmy Bowskill grew up on our stage. We’re still working on it, but there will be a separate lineup (reveal) for the Future Sounds Stage. We may even think about having a competition where someone would win a spot on our (main stage), which is a pretty big deal.”
Equally pumped for the season is Ellis, who’s embarking on the first year of a two-year term as board chair.
“A lot of people don’t realize just how much goes on behind the scenes to make all this come together,” says Ellis, adding he too is excited about the Future Sounds Stage series.
“It’s something, as a board and as staff, we’ve thought about for a number of years. The second stage idea came up, we’ve got one of our partners on board … it’ll be a great opportunity for local artists.”
As for main stage lineup, Ellis lists Sloan, Gob, and Kim Mitchell as personal must-attends.
“I’ve actually never seen Serena Ryder, so I’m looking forward to that. And Mudmen have been on the wish list of a lot of people, so it’s going to be a great show.”
Also of note, Musicfest has entered two community partnerships that will be reflected on stage.
William Prince is headlining as part of what’s billed as “Woven Stories: A Night of Indigenous Culture, Music and Celebration,” and the concerts of August 2 to 9, featuring Acrobat, Mudmen, and The Celtic Tenors, will pay homage to the bicentennial of the Peter Robinson emigration to the Kawarthas — a celebration being marked via a number of local events this year.
For more information on the 38th Peterborough Musicfest season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca.. Watch kawarthaNOW for updates about the four concerts still to be announced and the lineup for the Future Sounds Stage.
