10-Act Festival coming to the Osprey
Event hits the Osprey stage Aug. 17 and 18
Ten musical acts in two days hit the Osprey stage in Shelburne on Aug. 17 and 18 for the annual Songs at Sea Level Music Festival, this year sponsored by Boxing Rock Brewing.
The jam-packed two days of music opens with the familiar faces and harmony-rich sounds of local guy-gal duo, Naming the Twins. Robbie Smith and Kathleen Glauser have a unique, fun sound reminiscent of folk revival groups of the 60s. They have released three full-length albums to date, with another slated for this fall.
Following these local favourites will be an evening of performers new to the Songs at Sea Level stage.
East Coast Music Award winners Roxeen & Dalrymple are Nova Scotia’s premiere mandolin and guitar bluegrass duo. Though a new acoustic act, they are far from being new on the music scene. Originally having teamed up 25 years ago as bandmates, the two are playing great music together once again.
Next up is the five-piece Halifax folk-jazz ensemble Tin Pan Darlings. As a tribute to the classic jazz that inspires them, this group will perform a set of original music to their own black and white vintagelooking silent film.
Things really get cooking when renowned blues-rock group Wayne and the Eastenders hit the stage. They’ve been playing the blues cir- cuit for years, and their 2018 album Diggin’ the Dirt was nominated for ECMA Blues Album of the Year.
The Friday night wraps up with dancing and grooving along to local pop-rockers, Common People. These guys have played together for about a year but they already have an original single. They’ll be adding to their set popular favourites by the likes of Coldplay and Oasis along with some old rock classics to get the crowd on their feet.
DAY TWO
The next day, opening Saturday’s Aug. 18 lineup is well known and much loved Shelburne bluesman Bob Vacon. Vacon is highly regarded in Shelburne County and beyond for his powerhouse voice and his passion for Piedmont finger-style blues.
Making their Songs at Sea Level debut as a new blues duo are The Port Roseway Strutters, who will be playing down-home roots and blues. The band is comprised of international ukulele blues artist Manitoba Hal and Nashville singer/ songwriter Jay Pilzer. Though new as a duo, these two are no strangers to the music scene – both have a long background in performing blues music.
Following The Strutters, the seven-piece group Shirley Jackson and Her Good Rockin’ Daddys will bang out a horn-heavy rock n’ roll blues sound reminiscent of the times when the bright honking of saxophones put the swing into dance clubs.
Next up, The Barrowdowns will be bringing intricate, upbeat, unique folk music. Diverse instrumentation and soaring five-part vocal harmonies characterize the distinct alternative folk sound of this indie-folk band.
Following The Barrowdowns, things heat up at the after party with the Elliott Brotherhood Band. These high-energy local rockers will be bringing the house down, so there’s sure to be lots of dancing for the rest of the evening.
BEER PAIRINGS
Boxing Rock beers will be paired with each of the musical acts. There’s as much variety in the music as there is in the brews. Samples of up to 10 beers will be available at the bar, along with full servings of each.
Over the weekend, Megan Egan’s food catering service, The Beast and the Beauty in the Kitchen, will be at the theatre with chowders, wraps, sweets, and other delicious treats. The theatre will be hopping for the festival and the bar fully stocked with Boxing Rock.