Bachman still takin’ care of business
Canadian icon talks about the New Glasgow Jubilee and the power of music
“In Nova Scotia, I found that the audience is like most rock and roll audiences everywhere, they seem really into it, and it’s great.”
NEW GLASGOW - Legendary Canadian rockstar Randy Bachman will be joining local musicians and other talented artists on stage at the New Glasgow Jubliee. The festival, which started in 1996, will host performers from across the province and country, including the iconic rocker, Randy Bachman. He is known for being a part of the Guess Who, and BTO (Bachman Turner Overdrive).
Since playing shows across the globe in the early 1960s, Bachman has made his way to Nova Scotia numerous times. He said during his Sunday night performance in New Glasgow (Aug. 6), he’ll be playing songs that people are coming to hear.
“In Nova Scotia, I know the people really love rock and roll. I’ve played there many times in different bands … In Nova Scotia, I found that the audience is like most rock and roll audiences everywhere, they seem really into it, and it’s great,” said Bachman.
Since COVID-19, Bachman has been itching to perform in front of an audience. This summer, his band has a full bill and is touring across North America. He said after a trying few years, that people of all ages listening to songs they love in person have been a healing experience for everyone involved.
“Weird things are happening. There’s a certain tenseness in people, and as the music starts, you see the tenseness going away, you see the smile coming.," said Bachman.
"I look at the audience, and I see people who look like a school teacher, dressed in a suit or tie, male or female, who eventually, after a few songs, the tie comes off or the hair goes out and they are all up singing and dancing."
At 79-years-old, Bachman has seen a lot of fans and has been in
many different places, but he doesn't get bored on stage. He said that happens because he always tries to give himself and the crowd what they want with some flavour and slight changes to classic hits.
Bachman's son, Tal Bachman, who is known for the song “She's so High,” will be on stage at the Jubilee on Sunday, and Bachman said having him there adds to the quality of the music they all play.
“We do a lot of mash-ups, and we put stuff together. For us (the band), sitting together every night playing the same thing is very boring. It's like sitting down every night with a hot dog with a little strip of mustard on it,” said Bachman.
“After a few days you have to put some ketchup or sour crout on it, to do things a little bit more different.”
LOCAL AND LEGENDARY
Something that makes the decades-old festival unique is the inclusion of artists who are just breaking out, as well as established musicians, like Bachman.
There will be four acts playing every night starting on Friday, August 4.
Kristi Russell is the marketing director of the Jubilee. She said the opportunity for up and coming musicians to perform with seasoned veterans makes the show something enjoyed by a wide range of spectators.
“We're having a great comeback. People are ready to get out and explore music… You want something that brings people together. The festival experience is welcomed by a lot of people,” said Russell.
The show has three headliners, including Bachman, David Wilcox and Amanda Marshall. Some other performers include Classified, Ria Mae and the Stanfields.
Russell said she hopes the twelve singers that play throughout the weekend will satisfy a lot of different people.
“Honestly, there's going to be something for everyone there. We have reggae, we have rap, we have pop, we have rock. It's really nice to have something for everybody.”
Bachman said that he appreciates the work put in from the people that made the festival possible, and also made sure to note that he was happy to be playing on the east coast again and watching people enjoy live music he helped create and that he said now belongs to everyone.
“There's an awareness now, that these aren't my songs anymore. The songs belong to everyone, now. I'm just glad I was part of creating the originals,” he said.
The full list of the artists performing at the Jubilee can be found at their website: https://thejubilee.ca.