>>PREVIEW
CALGARY FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
July 27 to 30
Prince’s Island Park
Three things are certain to occur every summer in Calgary – the Stampede, the intense thunderstorms and the Calgary Folk Music Festival. And, of the three, only the Folk Fest isn’t the same every single year. This year’s incarnation is predictably only in its eclectic lineup, bringing together artists from all over the map – both musically and geographically.
The most coveted honour for the performers is the title of Sunday night headliner. This year, Ani DiFranco will once again take centre stage as the festival draws to a close. Her left-leaning politics go over nicely with the folkie crowd, as she handily won Calgary over from the same spot just a few years ago.
Other headliners include Thursday night’s performance by Canadian ensemble Broken Social Scene in what may be one of their final shows. The band has hinted at breaking up after their brief jaunt through Western Canada. One-hit wonder Macy Gray does the honours on Friday, and filling the role of unexpected appearance by a legend, Kris Kristofferson will be the last to play on Saturday. The selection of Gray as a headliner has led to much head-scratching on the part of festival-goers, but there’s every chance that she could be one of the most pleasant surprises of the year.
While the headliners are sure to be great, they hardly overshadow this year’s stellar lineup of supporting acts. On Thursday, Broken Social Scene will be preceded by a member of the group, Feist. A star in her own right, she’s sure to soothe the crowd with songs from her debut, Let It Die.
Other Canadians in supporting roles include Matthew Good who will be performing a solo acoustic set. Good is another political artist who shouldn’t have much trouble endearing himself to the crowd, especially with one of the most powerful voices that you’ll hear over the course of the weekend. Kathleen Edwards makes her second appearance at the Folk Fest, despite proclaiming two years ago that she had no idea why she was invited to a folk music festival in the first place. Sixshooter Records artists Elliott Brood and Luke Doucet will both appear throughout the weekend despite the fact that neither of them, for some reason, warranted any time on the main stage. In fact, Elliott Brood will inexplicably be playing a Friday night set on one of the side-stages while Jeff Healey and Bedouin Soundclash play to the larger crowd.
There are some lesser-known acts that are also sure to catch people’s attention this year. Sorrow Bound features Albertan musicians paying tribute to the great Hank Williams, while Jay Farrar brings his alt-country ensemble Son Volt to the festivities. Farrar used to share the stage with Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy as members of Uncle Tupelo before they went their separate ways. Keep your ears open for Great Lake Swimmers as well, who will bring their airy, nostalgic songs to many of Saturday and Sunday’s jam sessions.
As per usual, the 2006 Calgary Folk Music Festival will be one of the best weekends of the summer. |
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