MUSIC IN ‘ALL DIRECTIONS’ AT GATEWAY FESTIVAL
Hurtin’ Albertan Corb Lund headlines diverse roster for summer bash
If you’re one of the Gateway Festival fans who missed out in 2016 when Corb Lund’s show was storm delayed, get your due in 2020.
The hurtin’ Albertan will be back in Bengough this summer for the annual music festival that’s scheduled for July 24-26.
Corb Lund is one of a dozen acts confirmed for Gateway so far.
Gateway artistic director Mike Dawson said he’s “kind of pulling from all directions, but I do hope that people discover new artists maybe they weren’t familiar with.”
For classic rock lovers, there’s Chilliwack and The Northern Pikes.
For rock and metal fans, there’s Nightseeker (featuring Deaner from Fubar).
Nostalgic for the late ’90s and early aughts? Limblifter has you covered.
Jay & Jo, Newkirk & Bell, Aaron Karpinka, and Donovan Woods will be bringing the folk and alt-country. Marissa Burwell and Big Day are bringing the indiepop-rock sound. Megan Nash fits somewhere in between all of them.
Sylvia Chave will be entertaining in the children’s area, too.
As usual, there will be non-stop music emanating from Gateway’s two stages.
“If there’s a chance to discover something new or another artist is playing on the second stage, you literally just have to turn around and look equidistance in the other direction to see some live music,” said Dawson.
“It’s one of the things that I think keeps Gateway exciting, but also creates the opportunity for us to present more artists.”
Dawson is working toward confirming about 10 more acts — from the Prairies and beyond — which he’s hoping to announce by early April.
“Having that opportunity to put on artists from our province who are certainly as talented as folks from elsewhere around the world honestly is part of what I get excited about and what I love to see happening,” said Dawson.
Two of those talented acts are Megan Nash, a Juno nominee last year and part of Saskatoon’s upcoming Junofest, and Jay & Jo, who were in Nashville last fall for the Americana Music Festival.
For non-musical aspects of the 2020 Gateway Festival, Dawson said to expect a return of the vintage car show that debuted last year.
Aside from the music, there are “so many other factors” that make Gateway great, said Dawson.
There are the “insanely friendly” residents.
There’s the regional park that includes a pool and golf course.
Nearby, there’s Castle Butte and the Big Muddy Badlands, and the town of Ogema, where Solo Italia pizzeria is located.
If there’s a chance to discover something new ... you literally just have to turn around (to see the second stage).