For Immediate Release: May 9, 2024
FREDERICTON (NB): Brooklyn’s Moon Hooch, Canadian favourites Adam Baldwin & the Jenny Wren, the Jimmy Swift Band from Nova Scotia and Toronto’s Alysha Brilla, along with Fredericton’s own Hypochondriacs will headline a 15-band GarrisonFest June 28-30, of Canada Day Weekend, the City of Fredericton’s Tourism & Events office announced today.
The free-to-the-public City event, features a stellar lineup curated by the Music Runs Through It (MRTI) Agency, celebrates the re-opening of historic Officers’ Square in Fredericton’s downtown after a $14 million multi-year revitalization project.
“What a spectacular way to kick off the summer festival season. With a superb roster of local, national and international artists, we’ve got a fabulous weekend planned” said David Seabrook, Director of Fredericton Tourism & Events.
Sunday’s headliner Moon Hooch is a Brooklyn band famous for their positive vibes and dance-oriented percussion and saxophone-based music. Their highly anticipated return to a Fredericton stage comes after a much-talked about performance at the 2019 Harvest Music Festival.
According to Britain’s UK Jazz News, “Moon Hooch reconnect jazz with the dance music of their generation with total commitment, musical virtuosity, wall-to-wall grooves and a good time.”
Rounding out the Sunday lineup is Atlantic Canada’s popular veteran jam band, Jimmy Swift Band; Toronto Juno-award nominee Alysha Brilla, locals Weak Size Fish and Glenn Bernard of the Muskrat Singers, and the highly acclaimed bilingual artist, Émilie Landry from Campbellton, NB.
Fresh off his U.S. tour, Dartmouth’s Adam Baldwin & the Jenny Wren will bring his brand of Maritime folk and indie rock to headline the Saturday, June 29th, show on the new Officers’ Square performance stage.
A two-time winner of Music Nova Scotia’s Rock Recording of the Year, Baldwin is one of Atlantic Canada’s brightest stars, a longtime member of Matt Mays & El Torpedo and a quintessential Nova Scotia singer-songwriter. A teller of salty Maritime stories, Baldwin is set for a summer of big gigs, including PEI’s SommoFest.
Saturday’s super lineup also features some of New Brunswick’s top musical acts, including the Hypochondriacs, Kill Chicago, Kylie Fox, The Hello Crows and Jam Sesh (Girls+ Rock Camp).
“We've been jumping with excitement about this announcement ever since the MRTI Agency folks proposed the GarrisonFest lineup. It’s a perfect summer recipe: top calibre acts, a beautiful historic space, and a long summer weekend. And it’s all free,” Seabrook said.
Officers’ Square’s grand re-opening weekend kicks off Friday evening, June 28th, with already-announced performances by Juno-award and Polaris Prize-winner Jeremy Dutcher, The Muskrat Sings and Dancers, Broadway star Tony LePage and the Don Bosse Band.
An announcement on Monday’s Canada Day headliner in Officers’ Square is expected next week.
“With four straight days of awesome free shows, if you love music, Fredericton has to be your destination Canada Day weekend,” Seabrook added. “We’re betting it’ll be the highlight of your summer.”
GarrisonFest events on the new Officers’ Square performance stage will run mid-afternoon and end about 10:00 pm. The outdoor venue in the City’s downtown Historic Garrison District will include a large beer garden and a separate family-friendly zone.
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Media Contact:
Stacey Russell
Manager Fredericton Tourism & Events
(506) 260-6958
stacey.russell@fredericton.ca