Peterborough Musicfest Adds New Tickets to Sold Out Show

After selling out their Live at Home, Peterborough Musicfest has opened up the show for more free tickets to the public on Wednesday.

The concert featuring The Reklaws and James Barker had sold out within 36 hours since they were released last week Tuesday.

The tickets will allow guests to view the hour-long performance but will not feature the 30-minute post-concert live conversation with the artists at the end of the show.

JENNA (LEFT) AND STUART WALKER (RIGHT), A SIBLING DUO, RELEASED THEIR FIRST ALBUM, “FRESHMAN YEAR” ON AUG. 27, 2019. PHOTO COURTESY OF PETERBOROUGH MUSICFEST

Jenna and Stuart Walker of The Reklaws are a country duo based in North Dumfries, Ontario. They first signed to Universal Music in 2017. Their second single, “Long Live the Night” went on to win the 2019 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) for top-selling Canadian single of the year. It was selected as the theme song for the Canadian Football League’s Thursday Night Football for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

They've toured with Dean Brody and Dallas Smith and earned a JUNO nomination for “Country Album of The Year”. Their latest album, "Sophomore Slump", is out now.

JAMES BARKER OF THE “JAMES BARKER BAND” HAS RELEASED THREE ALBUMS AS OF AUGUST 2020 TITLED “GAME ON”, “SINGLES ONLY” AND “JBB-SIDES”. PHOTO COURTESY OF PETERBOROUGH MUSICFEST

James Barker is the namesake of the James Barker Band who first burst onto the scene when they won the Ontario-based Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase in 2015 and were signed to Universal Music Canada.

With over 185-million total global streams, the multi-award-winning James Barker Band has taken the country music scene by storm and continues to break records one release at a time.

The show will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 27. Click here to get your free ticket to the show.

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Peterborough Musicfest Announces Its First Ever Livestream Show

Peterborough Musicfest is back in a whole new way this year.

After a challenging year that saw all live in-person performances cancelled, the festival returns with its first-ever live-streamed concert featuring The Reklaws and special guest James Barker on Mar. 27, 2021.

“Our good friends Jenna and Stu from The Reklaws will be in town to film this special live-streamed concert at the Showplace Performance Centre,” says Tracey Randall, Musicfest general manager. “James Barker will be featured from his home studio in Nashville. This is a first for us and we’re super excited about it.”

Jenna (left) and Stuart Walker (right), a sibling duo, released their first album, “Freshman Year” on Aug. 27, 2019. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest

“We have some fun stuff on tap for this concert,” adds Paul Rellinger, Musicfest board chair. “We want the performance to be really special, so The Reklaws are coming to town early to film a few things around Peterborough which you’ll see in the show.”

Fans must claim a ticket via the Side Door concert platform to view — and as with every Peterborough Musicfest show, Live at Home access is free. Founded by two-time JUNO award-winning and two-time Polaris Music Prize listed musician and songwriter Dan Mangan, Side Door offers a two-way virtual concert experience utilizing a high-fidelity Zoom stream.

“We chose Side Door because it will allow the audience and the artists to interact with one another which will give it a different vibe than a regular live-streamed show,” says Randall. “Also, for ticketed fans only, the performance will be followed by an intimate conversation with Jenna and Stu.”

Jenna and Stuart Walker of The Reklaws are a country duo based in North Dumfries, Ontario. They first signed to Universal Music in 2017. Their second single, “Long Live the Night” went on to win the 2019 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) for top-selling Canadian single of the year. It was selected as the theme song for the Canadian Football League’s Thursday Night Football for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

They've toured with Dean Brody and Dallas Smith and earned a JUNO nomination for “Country Album of The Year”. Their latest album, "Sophomore Slump", is out now.

James Barker of the “James Barker Band” has released three albums as of August 2020 titled “Game On”, “Singles Only” and “JBB-Sides”. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Musicfest

James Barker of the James Barker Band first burst onto the scene when they won the Ontario-based Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase in 2015 and were signed to Universal Music Canada. With over 185 million total global streams, the multi-award-winning band has taken the country music scene by storm and continues to break records one release at a time.

A limited number of free-admission tickets are available now. The show begins at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 27.

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For The First Time In Their 33 Year History Peterborough Musicfest Has Been Postponed

For the first time in its history, Peterborough Musicfest has had to cancel a season.

“After much deliberation, and in consultation with public health officials, and local authorities, we must announce, with very heavy hearts, that Peterborough Musicfest (PMF) will not proceed in 2020,” Musicfest announced in a media release.

“To postpone an entire season—a first in our thirty-three year history—is disheartening to say the least,” says Brenda O’Brien, Peterborough Musicfest board chair.

“That said, these are unprecedented times that require concrete action to save lives,” O’Brien adds. “Our community, performers, staff members, contractors and volunteers deserve no less. Thank you to all—our friends, fans, and family—who have waited so patiently while we considered this difficult decision.”

PMF contributes more than $5 million to our region in direct investment and ancillary benefits (full hotels, bars and restaurants etc.). Organizers know the festival’s postponement will be very difficult for many workers, businesses, attractions and performers to shoulder.

“Our promise to the community that has nurtured this festival at every step on its journey toward becoming the biggest festival of its kind in Canada is to firmly fix our sights on recovery,” Musicfest says in the release.

They look forward to coming back stronger at Del Crary Park in 2021.

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Watch: City And Colour's Dallas Green Covering "Bobcaygeon" In Front Of 16,000 People On Summer's Night At Musicfest

It was a gorgeous summer’s night at Del Crary Park at Little Lake as 16,000 people jammed into the park for Season 33 Opening Night of Peterborough Musicfest to watch City and Colour’s Dallas Green perform a special solo set.

That included this beautiful cover of Tragically Hip’s “Bobcaygeon” that you can watch below…

June 29, 2019 Opening night Season 33

Watch more footage from the show our team captured…

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Take Free Rides On Retro San Francisco-Style Trolley From Downtown To Peterborough Musicfest

Free rides on a retro San Francisco-style trolley from downtown to Peterborough Musicfest concerts are returning for another season. 

The trolley rides will begin June 14th and 15th for the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival, and return on a regular Wednesday and Saturday evening Musicfest schedule starting June 29th and run through August 17th. All stops will occur on the right side of George Street. Trolley pickups will begin at Confederation Square (across from City Hall) and continue at the intersections with Brock, Hunter, Simcoe, Charlotte and King from 6 p.m. to 10 pm. 

Photo courtesy DBIA

This is a Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area initiative, and allows people who walk or park in the downtown to shop or dine before or after the concerts to jump on the trolley to get to the park and hop on the trolley to get back to downtown. 

“We want to support Musicfest in a way that also helps our downtown,” says Terry “Mr. Downtown” Guiel, DBIA Executive Director. “The charm of the trolley coupled with us offering it as a free service is a fun and welcoming way for us to get people to enjoy the concerts while exploring our downtown restaurants and retail stores.”

Photo courtesy DBIA

TROLLEY MAKING NEW STOP AT MEMORIAL CENTRE THIS SEASON

The DBIA have added a new stop to the free service as the trolley will now go all the way to the Memorial Centre parking lot to pick up concertgoers who park there. This added service was a way to reduce vehicle congestion and to encourage more people to attend the concerts and bring more people to the downtown.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Peterborough DBIA to bring the trolley back for Season 33 of Peterborough Musicfest,” adds Tracey Randall, Peterborough Musicfest General Manager. “It was a huge hit last summer and adds some extra fun and convenience to our already exciting concert nights." 

The trolley is accessible and can hold 30 people seated and 15 standing. The trolley is not intended as a substitute for Peterborough Transit, and demand for this free trolley will exceed its capacity—especially when the concerts end each night. Priority will be given to those with mobility issues, seniors, and expectant mothers or parents with young children and seating based on availability.

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Check Out This Great Footage From Alan Doyle Concert At Peterborough Musicfest

The weather cleared in time on Wednesday night (August 8th), making for a special evening at Del Crary Park as Alan Doyle rocked out in front of thousands of fans.

Doyle himself described it as "what could be the gig of the year" in a tweet after the show...

Well now. Thank You Peterborough for what could be the gig of the year. 10,000 or so singing with us tonight. Cheers to each and every one.

— Alan Doyle (@alanthomasdoyle) August 9, 2018

Here is the awesome drone footage PWD Visuals captured of the magical concert...

Here is a special moment our Evan Holt captured...

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Our Lady Peace To Totally Rock Del Crary Park

Big news for Peterborough, as it has been announced that Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace will headline a free concert here on Wednesday, August 2nd at Del Crary Park in partnership with Peterborough Musicfest.

This is part of the province's Ontour concert, celebrating Ontario's 150th anniversary. Music-lovers in 23 communities across the province, including Peterborough, will get the chance to enjoy a live, free concert featuring some of Ontario’s—and Canada’s—brightest musical talents. Peterborough gets Our Lady Peace.

Shut the front door! @OurLadyPeace coming to @PTBO_Canada on Aug 2! Count me in....Del Crary Park should be packed for this one. #90smusic

— Jay Callaghan (@caltek79) June 9, 2017

Visit ontario.ca/ontour for more info.

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12,000 High Valley Fans Lit Up Peterborough Musicfest On Closing Night

High Valley put on an amazing show Wednesday night (August 24th) at Peterborough Musicfest, which closed out another terrific season with a huge crowd in attendance.

Del Crary Park on the banks of Little Lake was lit up beautifully by 12,000 High Valley fans with their cellphone lights, as can be seen in a great video posted to the Peterborough Musicfest page. Watch it below...

High Valley also tweeted about some great cowboys in the crowd...

Two pretty cool Cowboys!! Hope you loved the show! pic.twitter.com/bG9tXkExk3

— HIGH VALLEY (@HIGHVALLEY) August 25, 2016

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Amazing Overhead View Of 16,000 People At Serena Ryder Concert

Peterborough Musicfest tweeted out that about 16,000 people attended the Serena Ryder concert that opened Peterborough Musicfest season June 25th...

WOW! An shot from @cogecotvptbo - 16,000 people at Del Crark Park this past Saturday for @serenaryder! #musicfest30 pic.twitter.com/MWfKHgdykI

— Ptbo Musicfest (@PtboMusicfest) June 29, 2016

Serena Ryder concert, aerial view

This total surpasses the 14,500 folks that saw Tegan and Sara rock Musicfest in July 2014. Here was an aerial image from that concert...

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