It was that time of year again. Yep, you guessed it – Time for the LottoMax Presents the Cavendish Beach Music Festival! Needless to say, the organizer hit the nail on the head this weekend in terms of weather, musical acts, and all around excitement. 2015 was definitely one for the books.
The festival’s MC, CMT personality, Casey Clarke, kept the crowd in great spirits all weekend long with his crowd interaction, jokes, and artist commentary before they came to the stage to perform. Always a delight to see Casey host the event.
First on the mainstage were Brothers Landreth, natives of Winnipeg Manitoba. You really wouldn’t have guessed they were Canadian boys with songs like “I am the Fool, ” and “Made Up My Mind.” On stage, the group showcased their gorgeous harmonies blended with their southern sound infused with elements of blues andbluegrass. Brothers Landreth were a delight for the ears, to say the least!
Next up was the CCMA and Juno nominated Ottawa, Ontario native, Kira Isabella! She’s a truly genuine and natural talent, and it shows with her incredible stage presence. Having supposed to play the mainstage last year, but couldn’t due to Hurricane Arthur – and the eventual cancellation of the Saturday performances, she was more than excited to perform for the crowd on Saturday – and that she did. With songs like “Love Me Like That,” “Quarterback”, and “A Real Good Radio” -all hits for Isabella – she had the crowd singing along to every word!
Mabou, Cape Breton native and Canadian music icon, Jimmy Rankin hit the stage next! This performance at CBMF was certainly a long time coming for annual CBMF concert goers. Jimmy Rankin is certainly a tuned musical veteran having been on the scene for over 25 years now, first performing with The Rankin Family and then an eventual crossover to a solo career. A highlight of his performance was the song “Feel the Same Way Too”, originally performed by the Rankin Family which essentially turned the performance into a 20,000 person kitchen Party that had everyone on their feet, clapping and singing – myself included! Other great songs included “I’m Just Saying”, and “Here in my Heart”.
Dan + Shay, consisting of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, and their highly anticipated performance hit the main stage next! Their extremely high energy, paired with catchy songs, blended with beautiful harmony and, might I add, extremely good looks, made it safe to say that Dan + Shay had the CBMF crowd in the palm of their hand right from the get-go! With their hit songs “19 You and Me”, and “Nothin’ Like You” and “Party Girl”, from their debut album, ‘Where it All Began”, as well as a cover of Ed Shreeran’s “Thinking out Loud”, it was mix of southern sounds with fast-paced pop, and personally, one of my favourite acts of the entire festival!
Another extremely anticipated artist hit the stage next. This man is in a musical category all his own. Having headlined back-to-back years at FredRock in Fredericton, NB, it was about time Steve Earle and the Dukes graced the main stage of the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. He brought with him, all of his classic songs like, “Guitar Town”, “Someday” and “Copperhead Road” (The crowd literally erupted when this song was performed). But, he also brought his him a new sound as his latest album, “Terraplane” is that of a blues record! From the harmonica sound on “Baby Baby Baby (Baby)” to the jaunty “Ain’t Nobody’s Daddy Now,” Earle unleashes an underbelly of blues sound, and it left fans truly entertained and wanting more!
The main event of the night took stage next to perform to a sell-out crowd in Cavendish! A sell out crowd only ever happened one other time in 2010 when Taylor Swift graced the main stage at Cavendish Beach Music Festival. Eric Church had returned to Prince Edward Island after a successful and incredible show in 2011, to deliver an even better, rough around the edges, high octane performance for concert goers! High on his release, “The Outsiders”, he had a rebellious, “me against the world” persona that the crowd ate up! With songs like “Creepin'”, “Drink in my Hand” “Talladega,” and “Give Me Back My Home Town” He had the crowd partying and singing well into the night!
Day two of the LottoMax presents the Cavendish Beach Music Festival began with PEI native, Whitney Rose fresh off her release, ” Heart Breaker of the Year” she had a fresh sound to her music with songs like “It Ain’t Wise”, “East Coast Woman Blues”, and “Chivalry is Dead”, along with covers of Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring of fire” she wowed the crowd with her song styling and range.
Up next to the main stage was fan favourite and natives of Northern Alberta – Brad and Curtis Rempel of High Valley! The crowd completely flooded the stage during their set and High Valley fed off it every second. With one hit performed right after the other in songs like “Love You For a Long Time,” “On the Combine, ” and smash hit, “Make You Mine”, their self – proclaimed “pop-grass” sound had everyone’s eyes and ears glued to them. It showed too as they had one of the longest lines of the entire festival waiting for them at the merchandise tent after their set! I, myself was there with all the fans awaiting to get a picture with the boys!
Next to grace the stage was recent solo artist, Kristian Bush. You might remember Kristian as one half of the super-duo Sugarland! He is riding high on his first solo release titled, “Southern Gravity.” If you haven’t picked up this record, I would strongly recommend it. He said in an interview I had with him that “I had to write from the woman’s perspective for over 10 years! It was a nice change to reverse the roles!” With songs that generate such a positive and happy/outgoing message. While he performed classic Sugarland hits like “All I Wanna Do” and “Your Baby Girl, ” I personally enjoyed hearing his solo works- especially the song “Trailer Hitch” as that was definitely a personal favorite of mine. I got to sit down with Kristian at the fesitval this weekend and discuss his latest album, this set he played at Cavendish Beach Music Festival, as well as the future of Sugarland. Stay tuned for that!
Another Canadian music icon native to the East Coast graced the stage next – Alan Doyle. He performed songs of his Newfoundland based group, Great Big Sea, as well as some of his own works with songs like “When I’m Up”, “Ordinary Day”, as well as “So Let’s Go”, and ‘”The Night Loves Us.” I don’t know what it is about East Coast music, but it is virtually impossible to not get even a little rowdy and loud – Everyone was stomping and clapping in classic East Coast form and it was fantastic!
Another group that was able to return this year that didn’t get the chance to play at last year’s event was The Mavericks. If you haven’t seen them play live before, you are really missing out. With songs from their new album, “Mono” including, “All Night Long” along with their many classics like “What a Crying Shame,” and they brought a certain sound with them that was of course country, but also a little bit of a tropical kind of sound as well which left for a very entertaining performance for all.
Before the main event of the night, I took a trip over to the Cavendish Farms’ Kitchen Stage to catch Autumn Hill perform live. It was clear right from the beginning that Mike Robins and Tareya Green had a HUGE following in the East Coast as the Kitchen Stage was packed solid. Talking to some of the on-lookers, they mentioned that they were shocked to see that Autumn Hill did not have a spot on the main stage as they did the last time they played the festival. Nonetheless, the duo put on on an excellent performance with songs “Fire”, “Can’t Keep Waiting”, and their newest single “Blame.”
Saturday’s main event was nothing short of sensational with the headlining act, Keith Urban. He started out on the right foot with festival goers by arriving on stage almost 15 minutes early, much to the surprise of all attendees – and he NEVER stopped – he even stayed later than scheduled! With songs like, “Somebody Like You”, “Sweet Thing”, and his latest smash, “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” the crowd loved it all! Super-fan, Julia Dunn even had the chance to sing “We Were Us” on stage with Urban after winning a contest with Moncton Radio Station, XL96 saying it was “the highlight of her life!” I’ve been attending the Cavendish Beach Music Festival every year, and I have to say without a doubt in my mind that Keith Urban’s performance Saturday night was the best I’ve ever seen on that stage -and I think most will agree with me.
The final day of the LottoMax Presents the Cavendish Beach Music Festival began with an incredible up and coming act by the name of Wes Mack! Fresh off his dates as an opening act for Shania Twain on her “Rock This Country Tour” – he was just a ball of energy on stage, and a great way to start of the day’s festivities! With songs like, “You Drive Me Crazy” and “Duet”, along with an entertaining cover of Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk. He worked the crowd on both sides of the ramp and was rewarded for his energetic effort with a huge line of fans wanting to meet him after his set was complete.
Alexandra Adamoski, otherwise known as Alee was up on the main stage next! Alee brought with her a sound true to Nashville roots infused with catchy pop beats that had everyone singing along. With songs like “Only the Strong Survive”, “Don’t Say You Love Me” and “Crazy”, along with covers of Deanna Carters “Strawberry Wine” she blew everyone away with her stage presence and pure poise.
The reigning CCMA Female Vocalist of the Year, and insanely talented Jess Moskaluke graced the main stage next! Speaking with fans during and after her set, they were all completely blown away by her unwaivering powerhouse vocals on her hit songs like “Cheap Wine and Cigarettes”,”Used”, and “Good Lovin'”. Speaking with Jess after her said she said that one of her favorite songs to perform live is Cheap Wine and Cigarettes because she loves to look out into the crowd and hear them singing the lyrics out loud along with her. I had the chance to sit down with Jess and chat about the set, her recent album, and also some upcoming new releases of hers – so stay tuned for that!
Texas native Shakey Graves was up next on the main stage. His performance was nothing short of fantastic! A First timer to the Atlantic Canada, he wowed the crowd with his Texan-twanged folk take on life and the absolute power sound of his guitar on songs like “Once in a While”. He would definietely be a welcomed return to the stage at Cavendish Beach Music Festival, or any venue in Atlantic Canada, for that matter.
In light of the Canadian Country Music Association Awards making their way to Halifax, Nova Scotia this September, The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) is launched the CCMA Discovery Program for Atlantic Canada, providing a unique opportunity for emerging artists in the region to take the next step in their country music career. The CCMA, in association with the four Atlantic Canada Music Industry Associations (MIAs): Music New Brunswick, Music Newfoundland & Labrador, Music Nova Scotia, Music Prince Edward Island and the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, developed this pilot program, an offshoot of the successful national CCMA Discovery Program. Participants included: Jason Benoit (Hometown: Fox Island River, Newfoundland), Kevin Davison (Hometown: New Minas, Nova Scotia), Tyler Deveau (Hometown: St. George, New Brunswick), TJ King (Hometown: Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia), Katie McGarry (Hometown: Charlottetown, P.E.I.), and The Secrets (Hometown: St. John’s, Newfoundland). Out of the six finalist that showcased their talents over the weekend at the festival, it was Jason Benoit of Newfoundland who came out on top as their winner. He was awarded the 2015 CCMA Discovery Program – Atlantic Canada Award at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival Sunday evening before Dallas Smith was set to perform, and will receive the opportunity to perform at Country Music Week 2015, among other things. If you didn’t get a chance to check out his music – do so!
Canadian Rocker, turned Country Music superstar, Dallas Smith flew onto the stage next and did not stop the entire set. With hit songs like new hit single “Cheap Seats”, along with other hits like “Slow Rollin'”, “Nothin’ But Summer”, and “Tippin Point”, paired with his almost operatic powerhouse vocals, he had the packed crowd in Cavendish on their feet the entire set. He even threw in “Wasting My Time” – a huge hit with his band Default. Fans knew every word so it was easy to tell how well his music resinated with everyone in the crowd. I had a chance to sit down with Dallas and talk about his music, solo career and any possible reunion for Default – stay tuned!
The final act of the night, and the festival was the high anticipated, Brantley Gilbert. For years, Cavendish Beach Music Festival fans have been asking to see Gilbert grace the main stage of the festival, and last night they finally got their wish. With an introduction for the ages, he came out to the stage with swagger, confidence with a bit of blood and thunder. Gilbert brought with him a more redefined Southern Rock sound as opposed to staight country – but the fans loved every minute of it. Performing songs like Jason Aldean’s “My Kinda Party”- which Gilbert himself wrote, along with his own hits like “Smalltown Throwdown, “Country must be Country Wide”. Gilbert easily left the ground of the Cavendish Beach Music Festival rocked to its core.
Bring on #CBMF2016 taking place July 8th, 9th and 10th in the beautiful Cavendish, Prince Edward Island. Thanks to all of the organizers, management, and coordinators who take the time to make this festival better, and better every year. I know I cannot wait to attend next year’s festivities already!
Peace, Love, and Music!
Sarah <3