Thursday, June 12th, marked the day the festival truly hit its stride. With a diverse array of shows and performances unfolding across five venues, there was undoubtedly something to cater to every musical palate. While I regret missing the early evening shows, my own first performance of the weekend beckoned at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. Nestled in a predominantly residential part of downtown, the Centre is one of Fredericton’s many stunning historic buildings. Originally opened as a school in 1884, its auditorium is situated on the top floor. After a quick soundcheck, I was delighted to see a strong turnout.
I generally prefer to focus my observations on the other side of the stage rather than dwelling on my own performances. However, this particular show was truly special. For starters, the opening act was a showcase featuring many of the talented artists who have recorded with Colin Fowlie of East & Nowhere Songsmiths. On this memorable night, we had the privilege of playing alongside Krista Shannon, Joel Manchester, Abby McCartney, Abigail Joan, Evan Cooper, Justine Richardson, and children’s entertainer Molly Whuppie.
It’s important to note that for most of these artists, this was their first experience performing with a full band. While I’m not typically prone to pre-show jitters, I’ll admit to a touch of nervousness heading into this one. Performing someone else’s songs is akin to being entrusted with their child – it’s a fragile, deeply personal undertaking, made all the more daunting by the fact that I had very little prior personal connection with most of these artists. I’m thrilled to report that everyone delivered an exceptional performance. The success of this collaborative set left me feeling quite emotional as I retreated backstage for intermission. We later returned to the stage, fronted by Fowlie himself, to present many of the songs destined for his new album, slated for release later this year.
Once our set concluded, I quickly packed my bass and made my way to The Cap and Wilser’s Room, where seamless sets of music were in full swing. The setup was ingenious: as soon as one band finished in one venue, another would immediately kick off in the other. Arriving about midway through these concurrent shows, I managed to catch energetic sets by Run the River, local grunge outfit Trash Oyster, and German rock act Gracefire. I was struck by the palpable energy in the air. The warm weather didn’t deter the enthusiastic crowd from moving and passionately showing their appreciation for the music. I departed shortly after midnight, reminding myself that “real” work awaited me the next day before I could dive back into the festival. There were still three more days of incredible music, art, and performances to experience!
Photo Credit: Eddie Young (flyer)
Ollie LeBlanc, based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, discovered his love for music in his parents' basement with a box of classic rock LPs. A lifelong fan, his fascination with music has only grown over the past three decades as a musician. Ollie has worn many hats, including bassist, producer, engineer, and photographer. As he matures, his journey has become more about contributing to the musical community and sharing its richness. What better way to give back to the medium that has given him so much!
