B.C.’s Madeline Merlo to headline Peach Festival
B.C.’s own Madeline Merlo can’t wait to perform at next month’s Peach Festival.
“I’m so excited. I’ve been coming to Peachfest my whole life and now I get to sing there,” said Merlo. “Peachfest has that summer-fun vibe and I will be bringing that to the show.”
Merlo and her band are one of the festival’s headliners and take the stage the last night of the festival, Aug. 12.
Peachfest takes place from Aug. 8 to 12 and features headliners like Kim Mitchell, George Canyon and April Wine, while also hosting five days of free family fun including a kids’ zone, street hockey tournament, sand castle competition, parade, Mega motocross and more.
Merlo’s popularity has risen sky-high this year. Earlier this month she found out she is a finalist for Canadian Country Music Association’s female artist of the year award.
“It was quite shocking to be in a category with someone like Shania Twain,” she said.
Two years ago she took home the CCMA’s rising star award.
“That really shined a light on me and it helped elevate my career.”
Her newest single, “Neon Love,” has already hit more than one million streams on Spotify.
Merlo, who was raised in Maple Ridge, said she loves playing outdoors and has always brought that party atmosphere to her shows.
Expect her to sing crowd favourites “Motel Flamingo” and “War Paint.” She also plans to do some fun covers.
Her band is mostly from Ontario, so she’s hoping to get them on the Okanagan River channel while they are here, she said.