I spent the last few weeks of August assigned to a work project in Saint John, New Brunswick. On a few of those days, my teenage daughter Claire tagged along with me to provide me with additional help and company as this project entailed mostly solitary work. On one of the evenings, Tuesday August 19th, I noticed that Rick Sparkes + the Enablers were performing in the nearby town of Quispamsis. Claire and I, both avid live music fans, decided to quickly travel the 20 kilometres that separated us from Quispamsis’ Arts and Culture Park.
Arriving at the park, we were struck by its beauty: large, well-kept green spaces surrounding the spacious George S. Miller stage. A few hundred people, armed with lawn chairs, quickly filled the space, creating an energetic buzz. The woman in front of us wondered aloud who “this Rick Sparkes gentleman” was. We chuckled, curious why she’d chosen a front-row seat for a band she didn’t know. At 7 pm. sharp, the band took the stage.
They kicked off their hour-long set with “Honey,” a cut from 2024’s “There Is Nothing To Be Won but Distance.” Despite minor, quickly resolved sound issues, the strength of the song shone through. From then on, the sound quality was amazing. A true highlight was their fourth song, “Presently Looking Back.” In a live setting, it fully lived up to the ‘song of the summer’ title I had given it in a previous review.
The band was in top form. Guitarist Danny Drouin peppered the set with inspired leads, especially during the show’s final stretch where he delivered seemingly endless, smiling solos. Drummer Chris Daigle and bassist Brent Chaisson were locked in a tight groove, occasionally challenging each other with intricate rhythms. Rounding out the lineup was Sparkes’ 16-year-old son, Hunter, who skillfully handled keyboards and electric guitar. He and his father even shared vocals on a cover of The Tragically Hip’s “It’s a Good Life if You Don’t Weaken,” a poignant moment that showcased a promising future for live music. I’m hearing very good things about the younger Sparkes’ own group, Vatican Radio, who have recently won Prince Edward Island’s 2025 Youth Talent Provincial Finals!
The Enablers closed their main set with “Love Will Save Us All” from their debut album, “The Trouble With the Light.” An enthusiastic crowd demanded an encore, and the band quickly returned with a great rendition of “One More Song.” As the final cymbal rang out, a long line formed at the merchandise table. We introduced ourselves to Rick, congratulating him and the band on a special evening before heading back to Saint John. As for the woman in front of us? We saw her in the long lineup for merch. I think she found her answer.
Setlist:
- Honey
- Love for Rainy Days
- I’ll Never Understand
- Presently Looking Back
- hey, now
- Car Crash Sequence
- Picture Yourself in a Riot
- In Your Tide
- Selkirk
- It’s a Good Life if You Don’t Weaken (Tragically Hip cover)
- Love Will Save Us All
Encore:
- One More Song
Photo Credit: Ollie LeBlanc
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!
