Sound of Music Announces its Festival Line-up

Today various media, sponsors and partners were invited to the media launch for the Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival and despite the rain (again!) we were all in a summertime mood.  The launch took place at the DeGroote School – Ron Joyce Centre in their beautiful lobby and first floor auditorium. If the weather had cooperated we could have spilled outside to the patio, but I guess they are saving the sunshine for the festival!

We got a chance to mingle with various VIP’s including past President of the Festival and Tourism Ambassador Award winner Judi Scetta, newly reelected M.P. Mike Wallace, the Mayor and Councillors Meed-Ward, Sharman and Dennison before the formalities began.

The President of the Sound of Music Gerry Murphy welcomed everyone to the 32^nd year of the festival and thanked the hundreds of volunteers. After a few brief comments about how proud they are of the festival and the contribution it makes to the city from Mayor Goldring and Mike Wallace, the eagerly anticipated line-up was announced by Dave Miller the Festival Executive Director.

The Sound of Music is one of the top 100 festivals in Ontario and features a unique blend of new and emerging artists, Canadian icons and favourites from the past. Dave promised that this year’s lineup will rock the park; with over 90 Musical Acts, a Grande Festival Parade with more than 20 marching bands, Downtown Streetfest, Family Zone, Carnival and much more.

Thursday June 16

On the ArcelorMittal Dofasco stage, Bedouin Soundclash, should put on a high energy show (www.bedouinsoundclash.com), opening for Bedouin Soundclash, is Canadian Music Weeks “best band” Yukon Blonde (www.myspace.com/yukonblondeband). Check out the rock ‘n’ roll, Celtic and bluegrass sounds of The Stanfields, (www.thestanfields.ca) and the rock and roll tunes of The Respectables (http://www.myspace.com/therespectablesmusic), both featured on the OLG stage.

Friday June 17

Friday evening boasts headliner names such as Emerson Drive www.emersondrive.com), The Reason (www.thereasonmusic.com/) and Toronto’s own Crash Karma www.crashkarma.com).  Appearing on the Cogeco Stage a feast for your ears, Micheal Kaeshammer (www.kaeshammer.com).

Saturday June 18

Saturday afternoon, on the ArcelorMittal Dofasco stage check out Stereos (www.wearestereos.com) their thrilling live show will bring a pop-rock mentality and newly explored electro-club sound to the Festival, followed in the evening by Hollerado (www.hollerado.com) and Tokyo Police Club (tokyopoliceclub.com). Over on the OLG stage, is the country and psychedelic blend of The Sadies (www.thesadies.net). Be sure to stay for the evening and see Jimmy Rankin (http://jimmyrankin.com/) and later the Barra McNeils (www.barramacneils.com), a band widely regarded as one of the greatest

live concert acts in the Celtic world.

Throughout the weekend music steeped in African tradition, Mighty Popo (www.mightypopo.ca), Sultans of String (www.sultansofstring.com) and Juno award nominated Luke Doucet & the White Falcon (www.lukedoucet.com) will be performing on the Cogeco Stage, located on Brant Street at Civic Square where you get a different feel to the Festival, while enjoying a café style setup.

Family Zone has a fun filled weekend lined up with lots of fabulous children’s acts to keep the family busy all weekend long.  We will outline these acts closer to the event for you.

Sunday June 19

Celebrate Fathers Day at the festival and sing along with a band that spans generations, Devo (www.clubdevo.com), as well as Chic Gamine (www.chicgamine.com), Le Vent du Nord (www.leventdunord.com), The Salads (www.thesalads.com) and The Creepshow

(www.thecreepshow.org). Is it safe to dance? with Men Without Hats

www.danceifyouwant.com/ ).  We danced to Whip It a 1980 #1 hit by Devo at our wedding reception, boy do I feel old!

And just to tease us a little we were told to stay tuned for the release of “withheld” headlining artists, for more Festival excitement. 

Our Team Burlington partner Burlington Downtown together with our soon to be next door neighbours the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) are teaming up to put on Downtown Streetfest on Saturday and Sunday.  With various performances throughout the day and evening plus sidewalk sales, and outdoor patios spilling into the street you may not even make it down to the park!  Both Brian Dean from Downtown and Graham Frampton from BPAC were lucky winners of door prizes at the launch! 

Make sure you mark your calendar for "Four Fabulous Days of Free Music and Fun” along our beautiful picturesque waterfront park and throughout downtown Burlington. Through the generosity and support of sponsors and the dedication of over 600 volunteers, the Festival continues to be a free event for music lovers of all ages, welcoming close to 200,000 visitors annually.

Tourism Burlington is pleased to be working with the festival to attract visitors to our city and welcome them once they are here.  For more details visit the newly redesigned website soundofmusic.ca or call the Festival Hotline 905-333-6364.