Musicfest Rolls Into Canada Day Week With Two More Shows at Del Crary Park
/By Scott Arnold
Neon Nostalgic headlines Wednesday's Canada Day concert while the Good Lovelies return to Peterborough on Saturday, with local musician Ty Wilson opening the evening on the Cogeco Future Sound Series stage.
local talent ty wilson will open musicfest from the side stage on saturday beginning at 6:30pm in del crary park (photo via tywilsonmusic.com
One week into its 39th season, Peterborough Musicfest is already riding plenty of momentum.
An estimated 10,000 people packed Del Crary Park for opening night on Saturday as Gowan returned to the stage, kicking off another summer of free concerts along the waterfront.
an estimated 10,000 people were at del crary park on saturday for the kickoff to the 39th season of peterborough musicfest (photo courtesy peterborough musicfest)
"It was an incredible way to kick things off," said Peterborough Musicfest Marketing and Communications Manager Raff Melito. "I think everyone who attended thought it was an incredible show."
The opening weekend also featured a 50-50 jackpot of more than $5,000 and a well-received side-stage performance from local artist Irish Millie.
Now, Musicfest is getting ready for a busy week with two concerts and some extra programming for Canada Day.
Through a partnership with the City of Peterborough, entertainment will begin much earlier than usual on Wednesday. Performers will take the stage at Del Crary Park from 1 pm until 4 pm as part of the city's Canada Day festivities before the evening concert takes over.
The night's headliner will be Neon Nostalgic, returning to Peterborough after making a strong impression during their first appearance at Musicfest last summer.
"They were so well received," said Melito.
The group brings an interactive live music experience featuring videos and plenty of familiar songs from the 1980s and 1990s, along with a few Canadian favourites to help celebrate the holiday.
A few days later, the music continues with another hometown favourite.
The Good Lovelies return to Del Crary Park on Saturday night for their first Peterborough Musicfest appearance since 2014.
"We're so excited to have them back," said Melito.
raff melito and ty wilson at del crary park ahead of saturday’s show which will feature wilson on the side stage at 6:30pm (photo by scott arnold)
Before they take the main stage at 8 pm, local musician Ty Wilson will open the evening on the Cogeco Future Sound Series side stage beginning at 6:30 pm.
For Wilson, the opportunity to perform at Musicfest is a full-circle moment.
"It's been a dream to be able to play Musicfest," he said. "Some of my first concert experiences were down here at the park."
Wilson has been busy over the past year, releasing a new record in January and continuing to build momentum with radio airplay and performances across the province.
"Lots of new music on the way, lots of festivals happening this year and excited to keep rolling," he said.
The Peterborough performance also comes during a busy summer schedule that includes stops at the North of Nowhere Festival in Lindsay and the Crooks Rapids Country Music Festival in Hastings.
Despite playing in more places these days, returning home to perform in front of a local crowd still means plenty.
"I've always got great memories of Musicfest and I'm excited to get back here and play," Wilson said.
He expects plenty of family and friends to be in attendance and hopes local music fans will come out early to catch his set before settling in for the Good Lovelies.
musicfest merchandise is now available for purchase at the wednesday and saturday shows at del crary park (photo courtesy of peterborough musicfest
