2013 music hightlights!

As this year comes to an end I have been thinking about what has happened over the last 12 months. There were big events like my sister getting married, getting settled into a new home, rediscovering hiking, getting a new tattoo AND lots of music! 2013 was abundant in great musical events – festivals, road trips to concerts and local performances.

I will not be able to mention them all (I was out to A LOT of good music!) however here are some of my highlights :

The Playhouse had more than a few fantastic shows – Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Serena Ryder, Steve Earle, The Mavericks (amazingly energized show!), Roseanne Cash, Sarah Slean,Matt Anderson with Symphony New Brunswick, and probably more which I am forgetting right now.

steve earle and me

Steve Earle and Me!

Music festivals have always held a special place in my heart and I was fortunate to attend a few in 2013 and a goal for the new year is to search out at least one new festival.

Festival season started with Shivering Songs in the dead of winter with Sarah Harmer at the Wilmot Church and the Sadies at the Market to name but two! I loved the community feel of the Nashwaak Music Festival  and I saw the Sherman Downey Band for the 1st time, Paddlefest in St. Andrews (fondly known as the bubble) was fun with Ross Neilsen Band and The Belle Comedians. I made my way to Perth Andover for the Larlee Creek Hullabaloo and especially blown away by Christine Campbell and fell in love with Olympic Symphonium at the little chuch on Sunday. FredRock kicked butt despite the weather – Hollerado & City & Color were new to me and Matt Mays just seems to get better with time. I enjoyed a revisit with the Avett Brothers at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival and was really impressed by The 24th Street Wailers.

Matt Mays at FredRock

Matt Mays at FredRock

The Steve Poltz show at the Cedar Tree was unreal! (click here for previous post) That man knows how to entertain. He is a great writer, a great story teller and even a good actor at points. I left that show feeling so jazzed up and inspired. I am absolutely thrilled to know he will be back in Fredericton at the 2014 Shivering Songs Festival. Don`t miss your chance to see him!

yes, I was more than a little bit happy! Thanks Steve

yes, I was more than a little bit happy! Thanks Steve

I enjoyed shows at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre like Amelia Curran and David Francey. I was able to catch great local bands around town like Sissy & the Hobos, Keith Hallett & the Worlds Fair, Josh Bravener, Sugarbomb, Dapper Dan & the Drive In Classics and Mountain Chicken.

I made a few trips to Portland`s Port City Music Hall to see Todd Snider, Jason Isbell and Lucero. The sound is great in that room and the audiences were attentive and responsive at all 3 shows!

I sang along, I cried, I laughed, I was inspired, I was humbled and I danced! That is the power of the live music experience and the reason I feel so passionately about it. I will continue to support, promote and encourage the music in 2014!!

What are some of your musical highlights from 2013? Who is on your wish list for 2014? I would love to hear from you.

2014-01-01T04:20:58-04:00January 1, 2014|entertainment, fredericton, live music, Uncategorized|

Take time from your holiday preps and enjoy live music with your friends!

I know! This time of year is really busy with lots to do in preparation for the holiday season which is fast approaching. But I’d like to suggest that it is also really important to spend some quality time with your friends. So take a break from the hustle & bustle and get your friend(s) out to experience some live music this week!

Here are just a few things for your consideration:

Thursday night at the Capital Complex you can catch July Talk with special guests Sam Cash & The Romantic Dogs. There was a good write up on July Talk in the latest HERE magazine and got a good review from Bob Mersereau.

“Despite their relatively young union, the primary pair behind July Talk has already established its own sonancy: a sound rooted in roots and Americana with the dual-voice charm of Johnny and June, the creepy quirkiness of Tom Waits, and the hooks of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero.”

Friday night will see Shaun Leblanc playing at Roxstone Café between 7:30-9:30pm. Shaun is a singer-songwriter from Moncton and winner of the Galaxie Rising Star and 2 Music New Brunswick Awards. He will be serving up an evening of songs with admission by donation at the door. “With a solid piano background from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and a voice that blends the smoothness of John Mayer with the versatility of Justin Timberlake, Shaun demonstrates a natural ability for pop songwriting that is decidedly his own.”

Also happening on Friday the 13th, SUGARBOMB is playing Wilser’s Room starting at 9:00pm. I have only seen these guys once before but they were totally fun! They had the sound down and dressed the part and had everyone groovin’! I suggest you check it out for yourself.

“This 6-piece musical party has come together with a purpose to bring about the joyful revival of what is felt as the dynamo sound that impacted nearly everything during a Golden age of popular music – Motown & Soul.”

sugar-bomb

That’s just a few options so remember to check the running calendar for a more complete list of what’s happening for live music in Fredericton this week.

2013-12-10T23:34:28-04:00December 10, 2013|entertainment, fredericton, live music, Uncategorized|

November is full of live music opportunities for you to enjoy!

Hi all!

There has been, and continues to be, lots of music happening in the city this month! As a starting point you can check out my last post on the Fredericton Tourism site by clicking here.

Last Friday night I was blown away by one of the best shows I’ve experienced at the Fredericton Playhouse . The legendary, Grammy award winning group, The Mavericks provided a perfect night of music & entertainment. These 9 very sharp dressed and amazingly talented musicians played a solid 2 hours giving it all they had to give regardless of a smaller crowd then they must be used to. Its was awesome to see everyone up and dancing!

This week I’m taking my parents to the David Francey show at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre on Friday night. I have seen David before (like 4 times!) and I am always impressed with his modesty and authenticity. His songs are observant of the simple things in life and about things we all can relate to. I like his Scottish accent and he tells some funny stories 🙂 I’m very happy that he will be playing in my town this week!

Now if I could be in 2 places at once, I’d get myself to the iRock on Friday night too because I don’t like to miss a chance to see Les Hay Babies . These 3 girls are from the Moncton area and people are really taking note of their music as they are travelling the world these days! Check them out!

Come Saturday night, I will be hitting up Wilser’s Room to spend time with the fantastic Sissy & the Hobos ! They’re playing an early show starting at 8 and as always I look forward to their sweet harmonies and hoping for a few sing-alongs too! And quite honestly – getting a little more banjo in my weekend is just the very right thing to do!

Another show happening on Saturday night – too many overlaps this week! – is the Duane Andrews and Craig Young show at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. These 2 guitar aficionados hailing from Newfoundland are touring in support of their debut LP, Charlie’s Boogie. “Duane Andrews and Craig Young will showcase their eclectic genre comprised of gypsy jazz, bluegrass and traditional Newfoundland tunes. The refreshing live performance will leave audiences fascinated from start to finish.” I have no doubt it will be an amazing night of music! Preview a few tracks at http://www.charliesboogie.com/

So there you have just a small sampling of the live music happening in Fredericton this weekend – and I only touched on Friday and Saturday! Check out the running calendar on the blog, decide where you are going to let the music move you and then drop me a line to let me know where you went. Share the fun!

2013-11-19T22:14:33-04:00November 19, 2013|entertainment, fredericton, live music, Uncategorized|

Are you ready to get your HARVEST on?!!

Those of you who know me at all are aware that this second week in September is my most favourite time of the year! The tents are up, the music notes have appeared on the sidewalks, people are all a buzz about where they will be meeting up and great discussion is being had around what we are most looking forward to. Its simply fantastic to have so much energy in the city and all revolving around LIVE MUSIC! How could it get any better than this?!

harvest 2013

One of the best things about the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival is the fact that there is absolutely something for everyone, whether you have tickets or not! Click here to check out my latest post on the Fredericton Tourism site for more detail on FREE shows happening downtown starting tomorrow! And be sure to consult the full schedule released by Harvest today by clicking here.

This guy – JW Jones – will be playing for the crowds on Sunday afternoon in Officers’ Square – for FREE!

If interested, take a look at a couple other posts I previously submitted regarding Harvest by clicking here and here!

I know its a lot of clicking but I know you’ll be happy you did!

Be sure to get out and enjoy our city at its finest! People will literally be dancing in the streets and I hope you will be part of all the fun!

Please share your “Harvest Moments” with me if you get a chance. I’d love to hear how your experience goes.

HAPPY HARVEST!!!

2013-09-10T23:21:12-03:00September 10, 2013|entertainment, fredericton, live music, Uncategorized|
Go to Top