Summer Concert Scene Heating Up

By: Connor Donald

An already busy year for music in Halifax and the East Coast is continuing to heat up as Summer quickly approaches. Some big name groups are setting their targets on the East Coast of Canada and some big shows have already been set. With a mere couple months left until Summer truly begins I give you a run down of the shows and festivals that you should check out!

5. KISS with Shinedown- August 1 @ Metro Centre

One of the most exciting and entertaining classic rock groups in the world KISS is coming to Halifax and Saint John this summer. KISS brings their high energy, hard rocking music back to Halifax for the first time since 2009 when they headlined a show on The Commons. KISS is touring in support of their latest album Monster released on October 9, 2012, which features the singles “Hell or Hallelujah” and “Long Way Down.”

KISS is also welcoming special guests Shinedown to the stage this time around. Shinedown’s lead singer is, in the last year, coming off a successful stint in rehab where he got over alcohol and heavy drug addictions losing over 75 pounds. Now back on track Shinedown, famously known for songs like “45”, “Bully”, “Sound of Madness” and “Second Chance”, will come out with their hard rocking and true to life lyrics. Are you ready to “Rock and Roll All Night”?

4. Cavendish Music Festival with Dixie Chicks and Kenny Chesney- July 5-7 @ Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island

For country music fans the Cavendish Music Festival yet again returns with a strong line up which includes, most notably, The Dixie Chicks Sunday night and Kenny Chesney on Saturday night. Friday night welcomes Dwight Yoakam to the headlining stage who is currently touring in support of his newest single, “A Heart Like Mine” and bringing back some of his greatest hits. Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Shooter Jennings will also perform that night.

Kenny Chesney is set to headline on Saturday night after having, both, the Biggest Stadium Tour of the Year and Highest Grossing Tour of the Summer. He’s recorded 15 albums in his busy musical career, 14 of which became certified Gold or higher. Chesney will be joined by a lineup which includes: Little Big Town and Michelle Wright.

The main headliner of the weekend is country legends, The Dixie Chicks on Sunday night. With 13 Grammy Award wins since forming in 1989; there commercial success and growth began in 1998 with hits like, “There’s You’re Trouble” and “Wide Open Spaces”. The Dixie Chicks will bring a force of hits spanning their career Sunday night alongside a dazzling list of performers including: Emerson Drive, Jason Blaine and The Abrams Brothers.

3. 2013 Toyota Salmon Festival Concert with The Eagles, Tragically Hip and Johnny Reid- July 13 @ Grand Falls-Windsor, NL

For those willing to take a trip to Newfoundland and love Classic and Folk rock the Toyota Salmon Festival Concert guarantees a great show. The legendary Eagles will headline the night bringing their immense list of classic hits like: “Hotel California”, “Peaceful Easy Feeling”, “Take it to the Limit” and “Life in the Fast Lane”. Joining them will be Canadian music heroes, Tragically Hip, touring in support of their latest album Now For Plan A. The night will also feature two more great Canadian folk-rock artists, Blue Rodeo and Matt Minglewood. Well Johnny Reid is also set to join the day long event of music stars.

2. Rush- July 12 & 14 @ Metro Centre Halifax

For the first time in 25 years, Rush returns to Halifax presenting the Clockwork Angels Tour which features a live orchestra on stage. Showing no signs of slowing down Rush will perform with no opening group for three hours presenting hits like “YYZ”, “Tom Sawyer” and “Far Cry”. Rush, elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, brings their highly praised new album and tour to Halifax for an already sold out show on July 12 and a limited number of tickets left for the July 14 show. Rush promises they are not slowing down and bring everything to every show.

1. Osheaga Festival- August 2-4 @ Jean-Drapeau Park Montreal, QC

One of the biggest music festivals in Canada is Osheaga in Montreal, Quebec. Despite the ten hour road trip or short flight this festival is well worth the trip. Osheaga is a festival headlined by high-profile concerts, but it also features other things like art shows. It presents music of many different genres and welcomes people of all age groups and music likings. The Cure, Mumford and Sons, Phoenix, Vampire Weekend and The Lumineers are among the headliners this year. Kendrick Lamar, Yelawolf and Big Boi are among hip-hop artists making appearances this year. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Two Door Cinema Club, Flogging Molly and Jimmy Eat World are all also set to appear. Get a group of friends together, get a car, book a hotel and prepare for an unforgettable weekend of concerts, art and parties!

The summer is only starting and the concerts are beginning to be rolled out on a very busy red carpet. Billy Talent, Great Big Sea, Opeth, Matt Mays, Rose Cousins among many other names are already set to perform this spring in Halifax. The Halifax Pop Explosion band deadline is fast approaching leading to a hopeful announcement of groups performing in the coming months. It is going to be an exciting summer and these five shows are, but a small number of the many shows announced or going to be announced for this summer. Prepare for a fun and hot season of concerts!