After 2 years in limbo, summer music festivals are back to electrify concertgoers
CBC
As COVID-19 restrictions lift across the country, many summer music festivals are gearing up for the return of in-person performances.
Both the Halifax Jazz Festival and Ottawa's BluesFest are returning to proper live events after two years of producing virtual ones.
"It's about … the physical experience of going to an event and sharing it with other people — your family, your friends [and] people you meet," said Mark Monahan, the executive and artistic director of the RBC Ottawa BluesFest.
Andrew Jackson, artistic director of the Halifax Jazz Festival, expressed similar sentiments, noting that there was an overwhelming desire from the artistic community to do in-person events again.
"I think there's [an] almost intangible feeling you get by being in a live environment," said Jackson. "Having that physical response to the music hitting [you]."
Although the Halifax Jazz Festival plans to do an in-person gathering this year, Jackson maintains it will be a while before things are fully back to a pre-pandemic normal.
"It's going to take a long time to rebuild those audiences and get people back," Jackson said. "But I think they will return."
Here's a breakdown of the major music festivals across Canada returning with in-person performances this summer.
Where: Kootenay, B.C.When: July 22-25
This four-day music festival is known for its array of world-renowned electronic artists. This year's lineup includes BTSM and Claptone. Early bird pricing is set at $495 and general admission tickets are $525.
Where: WinnipegWhen: June 24-26
This is the festival that comes to you. The sākihiwē festival (formerly Aboriginal Music Week) travels to different communities in Winnipeg so that families can enjoy Indigenous music. The lineup is expected to be announced later this spring, with tickets going on sale after.
Where: Rogersville, N.B.When: June 24–25, Aug. 26-28
Rogersville Music Inc. puts on two festivals every year featuring country and bluegrass artists. This year's headliners for the Rogersville Country Music Festival are Ben & Noel Haggard, while the headliner for the bluegrass festival is Rhonda Vincent & The Rage. Tickets range from $30 to $90.
