Peterborough Musicfest Announces Steven Page, Sloan and More Added to 2025 Lineup

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Barenaked Ladies’s Steven Page, Sloan and more were some of the acts added to this year’s Peterborough Musicfest lineup, announced at the Silver Bean Café on Thursday morning.

(from left to right) Vince Bierworth, event emcee; Brian Ellis, MUSICFEST BOARD CHAIR and TRACEY RANDALL, Musicfest Executive Director, showing off this year’s lineup of acts. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

Millbrook’s Serena Ryder, Kim Mitchell and Gob were acts announced before the full lineup release.

With a wide array of acts, the lineup caters to all music tastes but is looking to diversify it even more. With four dates (July 5, 9, 26 and 29) to be announced later, those spots will help round out all genres according to Tracey Randall, Musicfest executive director.

“We've already covered classic rock so we now need to cover country,” she explained. “We know that two of the four are going to be country.”

Musicfest is discussing adding acts to the vacant dates but cannot release details until next month. The free-concert series has roughly 83 per cent of its funding and needs another $80,000 to help sign off on finishing the lineup. Randall says once sponsorships and other funding can reach that amount, the full lineup can eventually be released.

“I've got a couple bands that are playing in other festivals, selling tickets right now so we're not allowed to announce until June,” she said. “Hopefully we'll do that as soon as we can in a couple weeks.”

New this year is a second stage to showcase more local talent as opening acts, a trial for Peterborough Muiscfest that will span roughly eight to nine shows, according to Randall.

“We just found that a lot of the local bands weren't getting picked up,” she explained. “We're moving ahead with a second stage on some nights. We're going to try it for now.”

The following is this year’s Musicfest schedule:

  • June 28: Serena Ryder

  • July 1: Neon Nostalgic (Retro Rock Tribute)

  • July 2: William Prince

  • July 5: TBA

  • July 9: TBA

  • July 12: Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies)

  • July 16: Sloan

  • July 19: Gob

  • July 23 ABBAMania + Night Fever (Bee Gees)

  • July 26: TBA

  • July 30: TBA

  • Aug. 2: Acrobat (U2 Tribute)

  • Aug. 6: Mudmen w/ Irish Millie

  • Aug. 9: The Celtic Tenors

  • Aug. 13: Choir! Choir! Choir!

  • Aug. 16: Kim Mitchell

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Canadian Punk Band Gob Makes Peterborough Musicfest Debut On July 19

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Legendary Canadian punk band Gob is making their Peterborough Musicfest debut as they are hitting Del Crary Park’s Fred Anderson Stage on July 19 at 8 p.m., announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.

Formed in 1993, Gob saw early success with albums such as Gob and Too Late... No Friends before releasing How Far Shallow Takes You in 1998. The punk rock band consists of Tom Thacker (vocals), Theo Goutzinakis (guitar/vocals), Gabe Mantle (drums), and Craig Wood (bass).

Their 2001 album, The World According to Gob, earned a JUNO nomination for Best New Group and achieved Gold status, with hits like ‘That’s The Way,’ ‘For The Moment’ and ‘No Regrets.’ The standout single ‘I Hear You Calling’ earned a JUNO nomination for Best Video in 2002.

Gamers may recognize Gob from the video game NHL 2004 as ‘I’ve Been Up These Steps’ was on the in-game soundtrack.

Bassist Steven Fairweather (formerly of By A Thread) was an addition to the band and helped deliver the album ‘Apt. 13.’

Beyond Gob, Thacker has also made his mark as the co-lead guitarist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist for the multi-platinum rock group Sum 41.

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Canadian Rocker Kim Mitchell to Close Out Peterborough Musicfest On Aug. 16

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Canadian rock icon Kim Mitchell returns to Peterborough Musicfest as the closer for the 2025 season, taking the stage on Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. at Del Crary Park, announced on Thursday.

Mitchell was known as the lead singer and guitarist for the band Max Webster before pursuing a solo music career. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.

This is Mitchell’s fifth appearance on the Fred Anderson Stage for Musicfest. He made appearances in 1997, 2002, 2012 and a special 2017 performance celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday.

“I’m all about customer service. People are coming out to hear certain songs and hear me playing them,” said Mitchell. “But they have been morphing and going through some changes. So ‘Go For A Soda’ sounds a little different the way we play it on a given night. And we will start to jam out on some of the songs and be a little freer with the arrangements. I like to give people what they want.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Kim Mitchell back to Musicfest for our closing night, said Tracey Randall, Musicfest executive director. “He’s a Canadian rock legend, and we know this will be an incredible show. In times when the news is often heavy, it’s great to have something like Musicfest to look forward to. Being able to offer world-class live music to our community—completely free of charge thanks to our sponsors—is something we are incredibly proud of.”

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Millbrook's Serena Ryder to Headline 2025 Musicfest Opening Night

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Millbrook-born Serena Ryder has been named to headline Peterborough Musicfest’s opening night for its 38th season scheduled for June 28 at Del Crary Park, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.

The singer-songwriter has headlined the opening night of Peterborough Musicfest in 2016. This is her fifth appearance on the Fred Anderson stage and her seventh performance for Peterborough Musicfest.

Ryder graduated from Peterborough Collegiate’s Integrated Arts Program She gained national acclaim with her ballad Weak in the Knees in 2007. She won the first of her seven Juno Awards the following year, taking home Best New Artist of the Year in April 2008. By July 2010, she was performing at the Lilith Fair. In February 2011, she toured across Canada with none other than Melissa Etheridge.

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Peterborough Musicfest Seeks Volunteer Treasurer On Board of Directors

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Peterborough Musicfest is seeking a volunteer to join its Board of Directors as a treasurer, announced on Thursday.

Since its inception in 1987, Peterborough Musicfest has become a summer classic in the region, drawing over 118,000 attendees annually to its free-admission concerts. The festival has generated over $4.3 million in local activity each year. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.

The treasurer will oversee the festival’s financial health, work closely with the Executive Director, Board and bookkeeper to ensure sound fiscal planning and governance according to a press release.

This volunteer position is ideal for someone with a strong background in financial management.

The role involves approximately 20 hours per year, including board meetings, executive and committee discussions and a minimum of five nights of park support throughout the summer months. The successful candidate will also provide financial oversight, assist in budgeting and help ensure compliance with government reporting requirements.

Applications are open until 4 p.m. on Jan. 17. They can be emailed to Tracy Condon, Board Chair, at info@ptbomusicfest.ca.

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Peterborough Musicfest Releases 2025 Edition of Diner's Book to Discover Local Restaurants

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Saving at local restaurants has become easier with the return of Peterborough Musicfest’s Diner’s Book for 2025, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The book is available starting Friday and costs $30. This year’s edition features 80 dining offers from restaurants, cafés, pubs, and other food venues across Peterborough, the Kawarthas, and Northumberland County (new this year).

The Diner’s Book, valued at over $1,000 in savings, contains ‘buy one entrée, get the second half price’ deals and more. Anyone can get the ‘Buy three Diner’s Books Get one Free deal’ with all proceeds towards Peterborough Musicfest.

“This year’s Diner’s Book isn’t just a way to save on incredible meals; it’s a way to give back and help keep free admission music alive for everyone to enjoy,” says Tracey Randall, Peterborough Musicfest executive director. “It’s also the perfect gift for the foodie in your life or that hard-to-buy-for person on your list. With something for every palate, it’s a gift that keeps giving all year long!”

The Books are available to purchase at Lansdowne Place (Customer Service Desk) and online.

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Peterborough Musicfest Seeks Volunteer to Join Board of Directors

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Peterborough Musicfest is seeking a volunteer to join as a Director for its Board of Directors.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The term is for three years and starts in February. The role is roughly 25 hours per year.

The following are the roles of the director:

  • Shape the future of Peterborough Musicfest by contributing to strategic goals and decision-making.

  • Support the festival’s financial planning and help secure key sponsorships and donations.

  • Be an ambassador for the festival within the community, forging connections with stakeholders, artists, and sponsors.

  • Bring your leadership and vision to ensure the festival thrives for years to come!

Applications can be emailed to Tracy Condon, Board Chair at info@ptbomusicfest.ca by 4 p.m. on Oct. 25.

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David Wilcox Peterborough Musicfest Concert Rescheduled to Wednesday After Saturday Cancellation

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Following last Saturday’s unexpected weather conditions and power outage, Peterborough Musicfest has rescheduled the David Wilcox concert for this Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Del Crary Park.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest.

Wilcox made the following statement on his social media account regarding the cancellation:

“We are heartbroken. Yesterday afternoon thunderstorms knocked the power out at the Peterborough Musicfest and we couldn't play. Many of our friends were there and we got to say hello to some of them. We're hoping to come back as soon as possible to rock out with you. Can't wait!”

This is the final concert for Musicfest for the season.

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Photos: Peterborough Musicfest Crowd Gets 'Down With Webster'

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Toronto-based band Down With Webster brought their rap-rock musical stylings to a packed Del Crary Park for Peterborough Musicfest, keeping the crowd riled up throughout the concert on Wednesday night.

The band, consisting of Tyler Armes, Patrick Gillett, Cameron Hunter, Andrew ‘Marty’ Martino and Martin ‘Bucky’ Seja, opened up with their song ‘One In a Million to get the crowd pumped.

They played several of their smash hits including ‘Rich Girl$,’ ‘Your Man’ and ‘Woah Is Me.’

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Hometown PTBO: Tracey Randall's New Role As Executive Director of Peterborough Musicfest and This Year's Lineup

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This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Tracey Randall about her new role as the executive director of Peterborough Musicfest, this year's lineup and more dream acts she would love to come to town.

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