Sheepdogs, Jason McCoy, Tom Cochrane in Musicfest lineup
Tom Cochrane, The Sheepdogs, The Rheostatics and Jason McCoy are among the musicians that will take to the Fred Anderson Stage at Del Crary Park this summer as part of the 31st annual Peterborough Musicfest, organizers announced Tuesday.
The full performance schedule was revealed Tuesday morning in The Display Room at The Silver Bean by Musicfest sales manager Vince Bierworth.
As previously announced, Kim Mitchell will kick off the season on Canada Day. Musicfest shows are free and start at 8 p.m. each Wednesday and Saturday from July 1 to Aug. 26.
Classical guitarist Jesse Cook will perform July 5, Tom Cochrane and Red Rider on July 8, pop singer Ruth B. on July 12, while the Peter borough Symphony Orchestra’s “Stage and Screen: Star Wars, Spies and more!” takes the stage July 15.
Rockers Stephen Stanley Band, as well as Lindsay’s The Kents, perform July 19, tributes Absolute Journey and Elton Rohn take the stage July 22 and 29, respectively, and a cappella pop artists Eh440 perform Aug. 5.
Country band Washboard Union performs Aug. 9, the reunited 1990s pop band Philosopher Kings on Aug. 12 and rockers The Sheepdogs – featuring PCVS graduate Jimmy Bowskill, who grew up in Bailieboro and joined the band to play guitar in late 2015 – on Aug. 16. Tribute bands Abbamania and Night Fever perform Aug. 19, indie rockers The Rheostatics on Aug. 23 and country star Jason McCoy wraps things up on Aug. 26. The artist headlining the Aug. 2 show will be announced June 1.
About five months of hard work went into securing this year’s lineup, Musicfest general manager Tracey Randall told those gathered.
Pointing out that it is the longest-running free summer concert series in Canada, she said Musicfest is open to any further sponsors who may wish to support the concerts.
“We’re just really proud of that and we want that to continue,” she said.
Musicfest received funding this year from the city, county, provincial and federal governments as well as Canada 150, Celebrate at Home and Ontario 150.
The concert series was founded in 1986 by Fred Anderson as the Peterborough Summer Festival of Lights and included an illuminated boat show until 2005 and fireworks until 2009. It was renamed to Little Lake Musicfest in 2010 before being rebranded again for 2013.
Last year’s 30th anniversary season included Serena Ryder, Kiefer Sutherland, I Mother Earth featuring Edwin, Cold Creek Country, The Spoons and Platinum Blonde.
A 2016 economic impact study found Musicfest provides a $4.2-million boost to the region through hotels, restaurants and shopping, with 125,000 attendees each year, officials stated.
NOTE: For more information, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or call 1-800-461-6424 or 705-755-1111.