Trans-Canada Highwaymen and Crystal Faith Bring Two Big Nights of Rock to Peterborough Musicfest
/By Scott Arnold
With just three concerts remaining this summer, Peterborough Musicfest is heading into its final stretch with two more big nights of music at Del Crary Park this week.
Peterborough Musicfest Host and Events Coordinator Jess Morcombe has plenty to smile about with another big week of music ahead, including a Wednesday night appearance by Trans-Canada Highwaymen and a Saturday night rock sing-along with Crystal Faith. (Photo by Scott Arnold)
It’s hard to believe Peterborough Musicfest is already nearing the end of its 39th season, but there are still three concerts left to enjoy, including two very different nights of rock coming up this week.
Wednesday, August 12th brings Canadian supergroup Trans-Canada Highwaymen to the Fred Anderson Stage, while Saturday, August 15th will see Crystal Faith bring the music of Styx and Bon Jovi to the park.
But before looking ahead, there was plenty to celebrate from another busy week at Musicfest.
Big Night With Crash Test Dummies and David Wilcox Finally Gets His Night
Crash Test Dummies returned to the Musicfest stage Wednesday night for their first Peterborough appearance since 2019, and they were greeted by a big crowd.
“It was awesome,” says Peterborough Musicfest Host and Events Coordinator Jess Morcombe. “There was a huge crowd, lots going on, lots of dancing, lots of swaying to the music. It was a really lovely night.”
Then came Saturday, when David Wilcox finally made it back to the stage following another weather scare.
After a rainy afternoon that had people wondering if Wilcox might be cursed in Peterborough following the cancellation of his 2024 show because of a city-wide power outage, the skies cleared just in time.
“It was a day of speculation that David Wilcox may be cursed in the city of Peterborough after a couple of years ago the power outage,” Morcombe says. “But we pulled through, the sun came out at 6:30 and we had a lovely show.”
Wilcox has now performed at Musicfest three times, despite having four scheduled appearances, with his latest return finally putting an end to the long-running weather drama.
Four of Canada’s biggest names in rock come together Wednesday as Trans-Canada Highwaymen bring Steven Page, Chris Murphy, Moe Berg and Craig Northey to the Peterborough Musicfest stage for a night packed with familiar Canadian favourites. (Photo provided by peterborough musicfest)
Four Canadian Rock Icons On One Stage
Wednesday night’s show is one Musicfest fans have been anticipating since the lineup was announced.
Trans-Canada Highwaymen brings together four musicians who helped define Canadian rock: Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies, Chris Murphy of Sloan, Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness and Craig Northey of Odds.
“Yeah, it really is a super group and we don't toss that around lightly,” Morcombe says.
“You've got four people who really defined the Canadian rock genre.”
The group will perform songs from their respective catalogues, along with other Canadian hits and selections from their 2023 album Explosive Hits Vol. 1.
That means fans can expect plenty of familiar songs from four bands that have been part of Canadian music for decades.
“We've got Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies,” Morcombe says. “We've got Chris Murphy of Sloan, both of whom you might have seen separately on our stage last year. And then alongside them, we have Mo Berg from Pursuit of Happiness and Craig Northey of Odds.”
The group’s busy schedules make the opportunity to see all four together particularly rare.
“They both have such crazy tour schedules with their independent bands,” Morcombe says. “So together, that's something that Peterborough does not want to miss.”
Trans-Canada Highwaymen takes the Fred Anderson Stage at 8pm Wednesday, but there is plenty happening before the show.
local singer and songwriter Calvin Bakelaar of VANcamp will kick things off at peterborough musicfest on wednesday at del crary park on the future sound series stage at 6:30pm (photo by Scott Arnold)
VANCAMP Brings A Local Sound To The Side Stage
Peterborough singer-songwriter Calvin Bakelaar, performing as VANCAMP, will kick off Wednesday night’s Future Sound Series presented by Cogeco at 6:30pm.
For Bakelaar, it will be his second appearance on the Future Sound Series stage, but this time he’ll be performing solo acoustic.
“I'm really looking forward to it,” Bakelaar says. “I'm going to play solo acoustic this time. Last year I played it with the trio and I don't know, I really like those opportunities just to play sort of solo.”
It’s been a busy summer for Bakelaar, who has been performing regularly while also preparing new music.
“Lots of shows, releasing new music,” he says. “It's actually should be out on Wednesday, so that's exciting. Brand new EP.”
That EP, House Parties in the Avenues, will be available wherever music is streamed.
Bakelaar says playing at home is particularly meaningful, especially when friends, family and other members of the local music community are in the crowd.
“It's really special,” he says. “I think this year particularly has been pretty hard for me and my family. So it's nice to get an opportunity just to take some time, sit in the park and enjoy some live music.”
He’ll also get the chance to share his own music with that same community.
“I get the chance to play my music and yeah, it's just really cool,” Bakelaar says.
For anyone arriving early Wednesday, VANCAMP's set will feature a mix of indie folk, singer-songwriter and indie pop, along with some covers.
“A lot of it's indie folk, a lot of it's sort of got that singer-songwriter aesthetic to it,” Bakelaar says. “We've been branching into the indie pop section of music as well. So there's a little bit of everything.”
Music has been part of Bakelaar’s life for years. He started drumming when he was 10, but it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that he began writing his own music.
“I think during COVID was that opportunity where I had some time on my hands and I started writing and it's just been sort of nonstop ever since,” he says.
His first performance came much earlier, however, when he was a Grade 6 student.
“I was drumming at a Grade 6 talent show and I was drumming to the Beatles song ‘Help,’” Bakelaar recalls.
These days, he’s working on carving out his own place in Peterborough’s music scene.
“It's just, you know, it's finding the motivation to keep going and just do something you're passionate about,” he says. “And when I see my friends do things they're passionate about, that's what inspires me the most.”
Crystal Faith brings the music of Styx and Bon Jovi to the Peterborough Musicfest stage Saturday, August 15th, with a night of familiar rock favourites including “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.” (Photo provided by peterborough musicfest)
Crystal Faith Brings Two Rock Classics Together
Saturday night will bring another big sing-along to Del Crary Park when Crystal Faith presents The Best of Styx and Bon Jovi.
If the reaction to previous tribute shows is any indication, there should be plenty of people singing along.
“If you're looking for a great sing-along, we've got Crystal Faith coming on Saturday,” Morcombe says.
The five-piece tribute band will perform a 90-minute show featuring songs from both legendary rock catalogues, including “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.”
“You got some awesome harmonies and keys with the Styx songs and then, of course, incredible ballads for Bon Jovi,” Morcombe says.
“And I'm hoping the whole crowd sings along and we get people up on their feet and it should be a night to rock out to for sure.”
The Colton Sisters bring their folk sound to the Future Sound Series side stage Saturday, August 15th, getting the evening started before Crystal Faith takes the Fred Anderson Stage with the music of Styx and Bon Jovi. (Photo provided by peterborough musicfest)
