SpotlightBrochure-May18-TopTenMusicFestivals

SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE

MAY 2018

Y ear after year, festival organisations battle with competitors by paying big dollars to get the bands you want to see and create a venue that you want to come back to every year. So regardless of which side of the border you live on you will be looking for some great music festivals this summer whether they be home or abroad and there are some great festivals on both sides of the border this year for your Summer bucket list.

These are our top music festivals for the Summer of 2018 that will fit all musical tastes with spectacular line-ups and amazing venues to enjoy the performing artists.

Before getting into our Top 10 we have three honourable mentions that did not make the list but are still very much worth going to see this Summer.

Follow on Facebook: @winnipegfolkfestival Follow on Instagram: @winnipegfolkfestival Pitchfork Music Festival

Winnipeg Folk Festival Rank: Honourable Mention (Previous: Top 10 ‘17 Canada # 10)

When: July 5 th - 8 th , 2018 Where: Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Rank: Honourable Mention (Previous: Top 10 ‘17 USA # 10)

Why: The inaugural Winnipeg Folk Festival was held in 1974 as a one-time celebration to mark Winnipeg’s 100th anniversary. It was a free event and attracted an estimated audience of 22,000 over the three-day weekend. Since then, the event has grown into one of the best events in the country with attendance of over 80,000 over the five days of the festival with over 3,000 volunteers working at the festival each year. The Winnipeg Folk Festival generates approximately $29.4 million per year in economic activity and creates over 281 jobs for Winnipeg, Manitoba which is a win for festival goers and the areas economy. The Winnipeg Folk Festival features a variety of music genres, with local, national and international performing and recording artists performing over the 4-day event offering a musical experience that will be unforgettable as you have the opportunity to see and hear amazing artists from the past, present and future. Although there are just too many artists to mention them, some of the headliners for the main stage are John Butler Trip, Courtney Barnett, Natalie MacMaster, A Tribe Called Red. With nine-time Grammy Award winner and American music icon, Sheryl Crow, closing the festival with music from her nine studio albums that have sold over 35 million copies worldwide.

When: July 20 th – 22 nd , 2018 Where: Chicago, Il, USA Why: This year the Pitchfork Music Festival is celebrating its lucky 13th year for this annual summermusic festival. Over the three-day festival in July over 40 artists and bands fromalternative rock,rap & hip-hop,electronica, anddance music will be performing on three stages and providing festival goers with a dynamic festival experience The internationally recognized Pitchfork Music Festival is held each summer in Chicago’s Union Park. The festival highlights the best in new and emerging music. Since 2006, this independently run festival has consistently proven to be one of the most welcoming, comfortable, reasonably priced, and rewarding weekends of music around. Hosting over 60,000 attendees of all ages from 45 states and 26 countries, Pitchfork Music Festival offers a wide array of activities beyond the music. With 50 individual vendors, as well as specialty record and craft fairs, the festival works to support local businesses while promoting the Chicago arts and food communities as a whole. The Pitchfork Music Festival maintains a commitment to keeping ticket prices low, providing new and useful ame- nities, and working with the city’s best local vendors each year making this one of the best festivals and one that is not to be missed with artists like Tame Impala, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Fleet Foxes, The War on Drugs, Chaka Khan, Courtney Barnett, Blood Orange, Moses Sumney, Earl Sweatshirt, Girlpool, DRAM, Syd, and more taking the stage over the three day festival.

Get your tickets now as this is one that you will not want to miss this Summer for sure.

For more information on the Winnipeg Folk Festival: https://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca/ Ticket Prices: $65.00 CAD - $234.00 CAD

Follow on Twitter: @Winnipegfolk

For more information on the Pitchfork Music Festival: http://pitchfork.com/festival/chicago Ticket Prices: $75.00 USD - $375.00 USD Follow on Twitter: @pitchforkfest Follow on Facebook : @PitchforkMusicFestival Follow on Instagram: @pitchforkfest Rock the Boat Musicfest

Andrew Waite & The Firm, The Ellis Family Band and Danny Drouin taking the stage to close out the five-day Oyster Festival. Jeff Noye, the Founder and Chair of the Rock the Boat Musicfest, spoke with Spotlight on Business Magazine from his Tyne Valley, PEI home in mid-June of 2017 about oyster shucking and the festival as a whole and his commu- nity of volunteers. T he Tyne Valley Oyster Festival has been around since 1953, Jeff explained, and since 1973 it’s coincided with the Canadian Oyster Shucking Championship. “Com- petitors and spectators travel here from all over. It’s the best shuckers in Canada – so it’s BC to PEI,” he said. “Anyone who goes to oyster bars like to follow their shuckers to com- petitions and there are some great ones across Canada. Our event is a different feel, it’s totally unique.” Jeff started the Musicfest in 2014 through a Provincial stimulus initiative called the PEI 2014 program but he chalks up his success to his loyal volunteers. Considering it takes about 250 people to pull it all off and they are in a commu- nity of about four or five hundred people, you’re getting more or less everybody involved either directly or indirect- ly. “We’ve never had problems trying to find volunteers, which some people might find hard to believe in such a small community, but people here really love to help out,” said Jeff about the community spirit of Tyne Valley. Rock the Boat Music Festival 358 Green Park Road Tyne Valley Prince Edward Island Rock the Boat Music Fest is held at Green Park during the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival in the beautiful Tyne Valley, PEI, fromAugust 1st-5th The fact that we can bring in thousands and thousands of people to our community every year like this is pretty cool

Rank: Honourable Mention (Previous: Not Ranked) When: August 4 th , 2018 Where: Tyne Valley, PE, Canada

By David MacDonald

Why: Come for the oysters and stay for the music, plus you can swim in some of the warmest beach waters north of the Carolinas. The Rock the Boat Musicfest is the closing event for the 65-year old Tyne Valley Oyster Festival and the one-day family-friendly music bash is back for its fifth year and it’s a full deck of new and old faces. The lineup this year includes The Glorious Sons, Kim Mitchell, The Royal North,

The Glorious Sons - Kim Mitchell - The Royal North Andrew Waite & The Firm - The Ellis Family Band - Danny Drouin

and the money goes right back into the community to our sports centre. It helps pay for our hockey and figure skating programs which has been the main goal of the Musicfest from the start. Once they submitted the proposal to host a large event and Blue Rodeo, Alan Doyle, and Jimmy Rankin jumped on board and the first year was a tremendous success and they have grown the festival from there in terms of our atten- dance and our ability to reach out to talent. Since its inaugural year, it’s been Jeff’s vision to maintain the family-friendly feel of the festival as a whole. “Well it’s always our plan to have a mix of headliners who could headline a show anywhere in Canada and a couple of per- formers or groups from the local area as well as a couple from the other Maritime Provinces. It really creates a nice blend of concert-goers,” he said. “Our crowd demographics are definitely diverse the larger the event gets. I think we’re getting bigger because we work so hard to make sure there’s something for everybody.”

world-famous George Street Festival, which has something for everyone’s musical taste.

Known for its unique character, George Street has a long and unique history of supporting local, national, and inter- national artists through our annual festivals and special events. Our success has been built by the dedicated and innovative business owners who are committed to building a strong and vibrant entertainment district in the heart of our city. Amongst the over two- dozen pubs, clubs and bars on George Street, you will find all types of music – Irish, blues, dance, rock n’ roll, country and traditional music will keep the party going until 3am on weekends. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you are sure to find entertainment that strikes your fancy. The George Street Entertainment District is proud to provide an exciting, entertaining, and safe experience for residents and tourists alike, and is committed to leveling up the greatest tiny street in North America each and every year. For more information on the 34th Annual George Street Festival: http://georgestreetlive.ca Ticket Prices: $34.50 (based on 2017)

Get your tickets tvoysterfest.ca! VIP tickets are already sold out and camping sites at Green Park are limited!

Follow on Twitter: @GeorgeStLive Follow on Facebook: @GeorgeStLive Follow on Instagram: @GeorgeStLive

For more information on the Rock the Boat Musicfest http:// www.tvoysterfest.ca/rock-the-boat.php Ticket Prices: $52.00 CAD - $123.07 CAD Follow on Twitter: @TVoysterfest Follow on Facebook: @TyneValleyOysterFestival Follow on Instagram: @tvoysterfest

Made in America Festival Rank: #9 (Previous: Top 10 ‘17 USA # 5) When: September 1 st – 2 nd , 2018

The 34th Annual George Street Festival

Where: Philadelphia, PA, USA Why: Founded by Jay Z and in its sixth year, Made in America continues to get more ambitious with both the type of talent and amount of talent it brings to Philly each year. There’s an emphasis on pop, hip-hop and electronic acts here, and even though the fest is no longer bi-costal, it still becomes an excellent way to spend Labor Day weekend and close out your summer as organizers make sure that the lineup is interesting and versatile so that more and more people come attend the festival. Made in America Fest tickets are actually a pass to enjoy a wide range of genres, all under one roof. It is made sure that the best of each genre is included in the lineup so that diverse sets of audi- ences are attracted to the event. The venue for the Made in America Festival is Fairmount Park which is equipped with the latest technology and a state of the art sound system and incredible light features that add life to the artist performances.

Rank: #10 (Previous: Not Ranked)

When: July 26 th – August 1 st , 2018 Where: St. John’s, NL, Canada

Why: Located in the center of historic downtown St. John’s, George Street is one of the premier entertainment districts in North America. Amongst the over two-dozen pubs, clubs and bars on George Street, you will find all types of music – Irish, blues, dance, rock n’ roll, country and traditional music will keep the party going until early in the morning. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you are sure to find enter- tainment that strikes your fancy. George Street is home to a number of popular events, including Canada’s BIG Birthday Bash celebrations, and the annual Mardi Gras costume contest and street party, and of course the

With a great lineup of artists, Made in America tickets are high in demand because it offers fans shows by the best in the music industry and all different music tastes in one festival, making Made in America Festival tickets very sought after. So, if you are planning to be a part of the show, we recommend acting fast and get your tickets without any further delay. For more information on the Made in America Festival: http://www.madeinamericafest.com Ticket Prices: $96.00 USD* - $229.00 USD*

Where: New Glasgow, NS, Canada

By Jamie Barrie

Why: Well we are sure that many people will question why a small marketing venue and festival like The Riverfront Jubilee, affectionately known as the “JUBE” that has been held in Pictou County, Nova Scotia for the last 23 years would make the list of the Top 10 North American Summer Music Festivals of 2018. Our answer is very simple, go and find out for yourself, you will not be disappointed. Every August for the past 23 years on the long weekend, New Glasgow and the surrounding area showcase some of the best talent in the Canadian Music Industry. Making our Top 10 is not just about the talent it is about the venue, the area hospitality and the experience and if you have not been to the JUBE in the past 22 years you better put it on your bucket list for this Summer as we said before, you will not be disappointed. P ictou County is known for its historic downtown areas with board walks, great shops, farmers market, restaurants, pubs and amazing beaches. It nestles on the on the edge of the East River in Glasgow Square which was built in 2001 and the home of the Riverfront Jubilee. Glasgow Square offers amazing acoustic for all festival goers and organizers set the perfect layout to enjoy the festival in comfort, in an outdoor amphitheatre that provides both

Follow on Twitter: @MIAFestival Follow on Facebook: @MadeInAmericaFest Follow on Instagram: @miafest * average prices

The 23 rd River front Jubilee Meet you at the JUBE!

Rank: #8 (Previous: Not Ranked)

When: August 3rd – August 5th, 2018

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Visit jubilee.ns.ca for tickets and lineup info.

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artists and music lovers one of the most engaging perfor- mance experiences of any music festival, the artist would have to be in your own living room to get a better view of them performing, creating a truly energetic and interactive experience for the festival goers. However, this year’s Jubilee does have a bit of a sad note as the they lost one of their own in 2017 as long time Riverfront Jubilee Executive Director, Carlton Munroe lost his battle with Glioblastoma. “The loss of Carlton this past year was a hard one to stomach for the board – not only did we lose a key member of our Jubilee family, but we also individually lost a great and loyal friend,” said Jubilee Chair, Michelle MacLean. Carlton and the Board of Directors have built the Riverfront Jubilee from a small-town festival into a signature North America music event. MacLean goes on to say, “Though the Jubilee won’t feel the same without Carlton, the board of directors continues to keep him in our thoughts at every meeting and every time we talk about the Jubilee in the community. We hope he would be as proud of this year’s lineup so far, as we are.” The Riverfront Jubilee has an amazing coast to coast lineup of multiple award-winning artists who will offer something for everyone with Nova Scotia’s own, Jimmy Rankin, kicking off the Jubilee on Friday. British Columbia’s, Matthew

Good, headlining Saturday night and Toronto, Ontario’s Americana and indie-rock band, July Talk with a reputation for amazing live shows taking the stage on Sunday night making it a night not to miss to end the Jubilee for 2018. The Riverfront Jubilee is a non-profit organization that is a 3-time Music Nova Scotia (MNS) Event of the Year recipient, 3-time ECMA Event of the Year nominee, and winner of the TIANS Golden Hospitality Award (2013). It is run by a volun- teer Board of Directors: Michelle MacLean – Chair, Mandy Moriarty – Finance, Emmy Tremblay – Volunteers, Cory Furlotte – Security, Jeremy Sutherland – Site Operations, Megan Hartling – Sponsorship, Alyssa Chisholm - Admin., Aaron Pellerine - Beverage Operations, Janine Linthorne – Marketing and Jay MacLeod - Artist Relations. This event would not be possible without the amazing support of the more than 300 volunteers from the local communities coming together to help make this a truly exceptional music experience. The Board of Directors along with many local, national and international business sponsors have built The Riverfront Jubilee into a signature world class event and mainstay of the local and Nova Scotia tourism industry. So, make sure that you get your tickets now and enjoy all that Pictou County, New Glasgow and the 23rd Riverfront Jubilee has to offer this Summer.

For more information on the 2018 Riverfront Jubilee visit: http://www.jubilee.ns.ca

Ticket Prices: $30.00 CAD - $150.00 CAD

Follow on Twitter: @NGJubilee Follow on Facebook: @JubileenG Follow on Instagram: @ngjubilee

WE Fest 2018

902.752.0884 130 George St. New Glasgow

Rank: #7 (Previous: Top 10 ‘17 USA # 4)

When: August 2 nd – 4 th , 2018

Where: Detroit Lake, MN, USA Why: Well it is simple, We Fest has been offering an amazing experience to festival goers for over 35 years starting in 1983 when Alabama took the stage with the inaugural event for the 9,000 in attendance and they never looked back. Since then the whose who of country music have taken the stage for hundreds of thousands of festival goers with artists like Jason Aldean, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Charley Pride, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Tanya Tucker, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and the King of Country Music himself, George Strait, along with many more headlining this festival, making it one of the leading country music festivals in North America and one that needs to be on any country music fans bucket list to attend. This year’s line upwill not disappoint with countrymusic super stars Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line headlining the three-day festival being joined by Devin Dawson, Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, Vince Gill, Rodney Atkins, Tyler Farr, Chris Janson, Justin Moore, Ashley McBryde, The Cadillac Three, Josh Turner and Chris Young. With a line up like this it is easy to see why WE Fest is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding events of its kind. WE Fest is located on the scenic Soo Pass Ranch, which has a natural amphitheater that accommodates up to 50,000 people, including 7,000 reserved seats, the concert bowl contains 50+ concession stands, and locations for dozens of additional portable concessions along with 10 separate camp-

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grounds with a total camping capacity of 35,000 people.

Why: There are many reasons to head to the birth place of Canada this Summer, it could be the golf courses, Anne of Green Gables, the amazing seafood or the majestic shore- line Prince Edward Island. However, this year, I’m going to put the Cavendish Beach Music Festival as the main reason to head to PEI this Summer. The CBMF is celebrating its 10 th anniversary with a full deck of new and old faces for this year’s festival which for the first time in six years has added an extra day to become a four-day event. Among other headliners to perform over the 4 days are; Brett Eldredge, The Road Hammers, Terri Clark, Luke Bryan, Shawn Mendes, and Dan + Shay will take to the Bell Main Stage while Asleep at the Wheel, Steve Azar, Cody Richard & One Night Stand, River Town Saints, Dustbowl Revival, and Makayla Lynn will take to the Cavendish Farms Kitchen Stage between July 6 th and 9 th . W hen Jeff Squires, the President of PEI Brewing Company and CEO of Whitecap Entertainment, wants to compete, he brings his A game. Prior to the first CBMF in 2009, the headline outdoor music festival scene in the Maritime Provinces was a two-prov- ince sing-off. Nova Scotia had long been boasting of the internationally-recognized and attended annual Stan Rogers Folk Festival and a list of single event super shows in the Halifax Commons and Citadel Hill featuring the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, Paul McCartney, KISS, the Rolling Stones, and Keith Urban. And Magnetic Hill in Moncton, New Brunswick has attracted its fair share of

So, get your tickets now and join the party with over 80,000 energized country music fans in the small town of Detroit Lake, Minnesota for this amazing event this Summer.

For more information on WE Fest 2018: http://wefest.com/ Ticket Prices: $90.00 USD - $650.00 USD

Follow on Twitter: @wefestmn Follow on Facebook: @wefestmn Follow on Instagram: @wefestmn

Cavendish Beach Music Festival Homegrown on PEI 10 years and going

strong

Rank: #6 (Previous: Top 10 ‘17 Canada # 5)

When: July 6 th – 9 th , 2018 Where: Cavendish, PE, Canada

By David MacDonald

super stars: The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Peter Frampton, AC/DC, U2, Bruce Springsteen.

to do so moving forward making this festival not just a great opportunity to see amazing artists but also helping the communities that welcome festivalgoers and artists into their backyards for these events and making it the best experience possible.

Don’t misunderstand, Squires likes to travel, but he loves making a big noise at home even more – especially if it has a country twang. After experimenting with smaller temporary venues and local talent during the summer months for a number of years, Squires took one giant leap in 2008 when he jumped into the familiar role of shopper on the PEI real estate scene. He soon found the right spot for a permanent venue near the world-famous Avonlea Village in Cavendish and booked for the maiden CBMF in 2009 two people who shaped the modern country music scene: Tim McGraw and Reba McIntyre. Attendance that first year exceeded both Squires’ and the festival’s many sponsors’ expectations. In 2010, CBMF orga- nizers broke ground on the first permanent on-site struc- tures, literally setting in stone a festival that had already become a part of the Island’s modern identity. Organizers also decided to extend the CBMF to five days in its second year as the festival began to attract more and more headlin- ers, including Lady Antebellum, The Road Hammers, Keith Urban, and Taylor Swift. It is estimated that when Taylor Swift took the stage in 2010 that over 30,000 people were in attendance. “Sometimes people can’t imagine it until they see it, you know?” In the past nine years the CBMF has welcomed major acts to Cavendish which have included Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Tanya Tucker, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Michelle Wright, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, the Dixie Chicks, Eric Church, Emerson Drive, and The Band Perry – the list reads like winners at the CMAs. “Sometimes people can’t imagine it until they see it, you know?” Squires mused when he spoke to Spotlight on Business Magazine back in the Spring of 2016. And thanks to his vision and the support given by Island and Maritime businesses there is plenty to see and do for the more than 70,000 festivalgoers that be in Cavendish over the duration of the event. As partnerships go, the people of Prince Edward Island have a win-win with the CBMF. The CBMF translate into millions of dollars in revenue for the Island’s shops and services. Festival organizers have also given back nearly $2 million to the community since 2009 and will continue The CBMF was officially on the map.

See you at the Cavendish Beach

For more information on the 10th Cavendish Beach Music Festival visit https://www.cavendishbeachmusic.com/ Ticket Prices: $50.00 CAD - $678.00 CAD Follow on Twitter: @CavendishFest Follow on Facebook: @CavendishBeachMusic Follow on Instagram: @ cavendishbeachmusic

Country Jam USA 2018

Rank: #5 (Previous: Top 10 ‘17 USA # 3)

When: July 19 th – 21 st , 2018

Where: Eau Claire, WI, USA Why: Well for starters before you even talk about the head- lining artists let us talk about the venue, which is along the banks of the beautiful Chippewa River in Wisconsin and if that wasn’t enough the amazing artist line for this years Country Jam USA would seal the deal with Alabama taking the Main Stage on Thursday night, followed by Billy Cur- rington on Friday night and country music and television super star Blake Shelton headlining the Saturday night show along with 30 more of country music’s greatest artists from the past and present making it the Midwest’s premiere outdoor country music festival. You will also get to experience ultimate in convenience and faster transactions at Country Jam USA this year with the use of RFID (Radio-frequency identification) wristbands and Cashless Payment Technology. Your Country Jam USA wristband becomes your ticket and your digital wallet as all information is stored electronically, so your access to the music, exclusive VIP lounges and even camping, are all built in to your wristband. Now you can get to where you want to be fast – just tap your wristband and go and spend more time enjoying the hottest country music stars this Summer has to offer.

For more information on Country Jam USA 2018: http://www.countryjamwi.com/ Ticket Prices: $94.00 USD - $4,000.00 USD Follow on Twitter: @CountryJam Follow on Facebook: @CountryJam Follow on Instagram: @CountryJamUSA

of the lineup year after year. From an advertising and part- nership perspective the Boots and Hearts Music Festival is Christmas in August. The Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte, Ontario sees 45,000-plus concert-go- ers over the course the extended mid-August weekend – August 9 th – 12 th this year – with attendees coming from every Canadian province and 23 US states. It’s a young crowd, too. 62 percent of ticket holders are between the ages of 18 and 34; 60 percent are female; and less than 2 percent are under 18 years old and less than three percent are over 55.

BVJ Big Valley Jamboree

Rank: #4 (Previous: Top 10 ‘17 Canada # 8)

When: August 2 nd – 5 th , 2018

Where: Camrose, AB, Canada Why: There is no big valley, no hills, no river, so why go, it is simple for 26 years now, the 5 time CCMA Country Music Event of the Year, has been one of Canada’s largestcountry musicfestivals and one not to miss with the best of the best in country music and 2018 is no different. Started back in 1992, the Jamboree is held each year during the August long weekend, and features country singers from all over- North America. The BVJ is one of the largest music festivals on the conti- nent.The event draws thousands of concert goers annual- ly,with over 100,000 in attendance over the four-day event. This year promises to be one of the best with headliners: Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, Paul Brandt, Brett Eldredge, George Canyon along with some of country’s royalty like Alabama and many more amazing artists taking the mainstage with Luke Combs, Emerson Drive, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many others performing in the Coors Banquet Saloon offering something for all festival goers to enjoy and why this is one not to miss this Summer. For more information on the Big Valley Jamboree: https://www.bigvalleyjamboree.com/ Ticket Prices: $110.00 CAD - $850.00 CAD

T he Boots and Hearts Music Festival is Canada’s biggest country music festival, a three-time winner of the Canadian Country Music Association’s ‘Festival of the Year’ award and, next to the CMA Music Festival held in the US, the second biggest annual music festival in North America. For six years now, the festival has featured the likes of Alan Jackson, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan. Prior to the first Boots and Hearts Music Festival in 2012, country music fans in Canada were mostly accustomed to getting their country music festival- fill south of the border. While Nashville’s best always come to The Great White North – usually when it’s a little more on the green side – during the course of their North American tours, it was rare outside the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alberta to see more than one big name on the same stage. When Stan Dunford, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto-based entertainment company Republic Live, spoke with Spotlight on Business in 2017 he said that he and his wife Eva stumbled upon the winning formula that is Boots and Hearts almost entirely by chance. “It may seem funny, but Boots and Hearts happened by accident, to an extent,” Dunford explained. “The show was originally designed to have a different name and was

Follow on Twitter: @theBVJ Follow on Facebook: @bigvalleyjamboree Follow on Instagram: @thebvj

Boots and Hearts Music Festival Living the # BOOTSLIFE

Rank: #3 (Previous: Top 10 ‘17 Canada # 1)

When: August 9 th – 12 th , 2018 Where: Oro-Medonte, ON, Canada

By David MacDonald

Why: Well for starters Boots and Hearts is going into its seventh year, there really isn’t anything like this four-day country music and camping festival outside of Ontario’s Lake Country – and not just because the superstar calibre

planned as a multi-genre rock show. It was hard to book the calibre of talent for that show, so Republic Live leaned on some relationships in country music and quickly switched to a country format. The first show was rainy, messy and awesome all at once, and every fan left with a smile and a ton of memories that they will never forget. The Boots and Hearts brand grew from the legacy of that crazy first year. We’ve really attracted an amazing, loyal fan base because of the quality of our experience. There is nothing like it in our market.” “There is a wonderful connection between country music fans and the camping festival experience, and we have provided an unparalleled roster of talent for our fans each year.” “For those who come before Thursday night, we feature our Emerging Artist Showcase on the main stage. Over the years, we have discovered hot new talent as part of our Showcase, including 2015 winners The James Barker Band who couldn’t be hotter right now. In addition to that, we have added the Boots and Hearts Beach Area with volleyball and other sur- prises to be unveiled at the Festival this August.” In 2015, Boots and Hearts officially relocated to its current home in Oro-Medonte. The Burl’s Creek Event Grounds features 600-plus acres of custom-designed festival space, Mr. Dunford explained. “We graded the land to form the concert bowls, laid miles and miles of sod, laid gravel on laneways to improve the camping experience, and renovat- ed a vintage 1920s barn to become the centerpiece of our VIP experience. There is a wonderful connection between country music fans and the camping festival experience, and we have provided an unparalleled roster of talent for our fans each year. We are fortunate to have built a loyal base of Boots and Hearts fans, and everything we do to prepare from one year to the next is designed to cater to the experience for those fans.” There’s even an on-site farmer’s market at Boots and Hearts, he said. The Coors Banquet Kick-Off Party featuring LoCash, Black- jack Billy, Devin Dawson, Jade Eagleson (and more) takes place on Thursday, August 9. Taking themainstage on Friday, August 10 is FloridaGeorgia Line and Dallas Smith – among others – followed by Alan Jackson and Billy Currington on Saturday, August 11, and Thomas Rhett and Brett Young on Sunday, August 12. By the time the final encore is played, a total of 38 headline bands will take the stage at Boots and Hearts – 11 more than last year! “Republic Live has a history of reinventing the experience each year,” Mr. Dunford continued.

“Live music is a tough business, and the festival business is even tougher,” Mr. Dunford explained. “Top artists are charging more and more for performances and charge their fees in U.S. dollars – even many of the top Canadian acts. There is significant competition for those artists. And, as a camping festival, we build a temporary weekend home for 40,000 people in a small rural community. Add to that the regulations, restrictions, safety considerations and bureau- cracy of operating our events, and there is a challenge around every corner. This is a huge planning, coordinat- ing, and execution challenge. We have built a great team of staff and critical vendors to manage the entire process.” Republic Live also produces the WayHome Music & Arts Festival in conjunction with Burl’s Creek Event Grounds Inc. In April 2017, WayHome took home Major Music Festival of the Year Award at the Canadian Music Week Industry Awards in Toronto. “Our business may be the single largest private music investment in Ontario in the last decade, and certainly one of the very largest tourism initiatives funded mainly private money. We believe in the live music business and have been proud supporters. All of our sponsors and vendors are important, and each contributes to the success of our events,” Mr. Dunford said. Bootsandhearts.com is worth a visit even if you can’t make it to Ontario’s Lake Country this August. The page has great interviews with headliners like Andrew Hyatt and Midland, camping tips and tricks, and a great article titled Boots 101: How to Pack. “While there will always be options for music fans, nothing can compare to the scope of the Boots and Hearts Music Festival.” For more information on the Boots and Hearts Music Festival https://bootsandhearts.com/ Ticket Prices: $119.99 CAD - $649.99 CAD

Follow on Twitter: @BootsandHearts Follow on Facebook: @BootsandHearts Follow on Instagram: @bootsandhearts

Summerfest 2018

Rank : #2 (Previous: Top 10 ‘17 USA #1)

When: June 27 th - July 1 st and

July 3 rd – 8 th , 2018 Where: Milwaukee, WI, USA

Why: Well this amazing festival inspired by a trip to Okto- berfest in Munich, Germany has been happening for more than half a century, which tells this non-profit festival and board knows a thing or two about partnering with the right people to run a successful event.

Summerfest truly has something for everyone’s musical tastes with over 800 artists performing more than 1000

shows on 11 stages. It is easy to see why this has been a top pick for festival goers for more than 50 years and consid- ered to be the Super Bowl of Music Festivals. This year more than 800,000 people, yes you read that cor- rectly will attend the Summerfest over the 11 days of the festival which has been certified by the Guinness World Records as “The World’s Largest Music Festival,”since 1999. Summerfest features a variety of music genres, with local, national and international recording artists performing throughout the grounds from noon to midnight. Offering a musical experience that will be unforgettable as you are immersed in amazing artists from the past, present and future during this festival. Although there are just too many international music super stars to mention them all, but with artists like Imagine Dragons, Bonnie Raitt, Florida Georgia Line, Bebe Rexha, Dave Matthews Band, Def Leppard, Blake Shelton, The Weekend, Arcade Fire, Steven Tyler, Kane Brown, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Howard Jones and the hundreds more you will see and hear one of the best Summer playlists that is for sure.

ferent genres and stages for festival goers to enjoy. S ince the beginning, staying relevant has been the secret to success for the festival. Consider the moniker—Bluesfest—a name, not a dictum. Indeed, blues music would figure prominently from the start and still does today. But, although a healthy number of blues fans could be counted on to attend, in order to sustain the event a broader appeal would be required. Note the headliners in 1994, the inaugural year—Clarence Clemons, Randy Bachman, and Buckwheat Zydeco—all popular acts, but not necessarily known for the blues. The idea was to cast a wide net, and that has been the template to this day, leading Bluesfest to become an internationally recognized music festival—a multi-genre outdoor celebration that welcomes music fans of all stripes. This approach was evident in 1998 when organizers took what was then a considerable gamble, booking Ray Charles. It was an unequivocal success. Pushing the boundaries in 2000, the festival brought in Sting for a memorable perfor- mance that packed the park. With a view to constantly improve fan experience, the festival relocated several times before finding the ideal home at LeBreton Flats Park, in 2007. The opening act that year was Van Morrison, followed the next evening by Bob Dylan—and the programming has continued to feature some of the most relevant acts on the planet, ever since. But the innovative approach didn’t stop at programming and re-location. “We were building a loyal following and we were starting to feel a ‘buy in’ from the community and beyond; fans had a sense of pride in what we were doing, and this led to a lot of feedback as to how we could add to the experience,” says the festival’s executive director, Mark Monahan. “The new site and diverse programming were well-received, but we knew we could do more.” In recent years, fans have seen pink port-a-potties pop up for the exclusive use of female patrons, and an ongoing nation-wide talent search for emerging female artists, called ‘SHE’S THE ONE’, has been launched. In 2017, a new ‘Bluesville’ area was established, featuring a tented stage, bleachers, and even a Ferris wheel with a great view of the grounds. And, more female artists than ever before have been booked this year—including some top-trending acts like Jesse Reyes, Kimbra, Kodie Shane, Noname, and Yaeji. These and many more upgrades were all thanks to fan feedback, with more to come in 2018. “Our patrons are our most important stake holders, and they also know what they’re talking about,” says Monahan. “This year we even went so far as to host a listening session, open to the entire community. We gleaned some important feedback and were impressed with the ‘outside the box’ ideas that were raised.” Much of the feedback from that meeting will be incorporated into this year’s festival. “We are very grateful to the music fans that support the festival and will continue to let them know, we are listening, while always striving to remain relevant through innovation.”

For more information on Summerfest 2018: https://summerfest.com Ticket Prices: $14.00 USD to $165.00 USD Follow on Twitter: @Summerfest Follow on Facebook: @summerfest Follow on Instagram: @thebiggig

The 25 th RBC Bluesfest

Twentyfive years of diversity and innovation keep Ottawa festival relevant

Rank: #1 (Previous: Top 10 ‘17 Canada #2)

When: July 5 th – 15 th , 2018 Where: Ottawa, ON, Canada

By AJ Sauve

Why: For the past twenty-five years, the RBC Bluesfest hasset the national standard for relevance in the live music industry through innovation and diversity. And, when it comes to artistic programming, it has established a track record that is second-to-none with amazing artists like Bryan Adams, Shawn Mendes, Brett Eldredge, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Band, Beck and Blue Rodeo and many others taking the City Stage for this year’s events with many more artists performing on the Barney Danson Theatre, Claridge Himes Stage and the Black Sheep Stage offering many dif-

Ottawa Bluesfest is a non-profit, charitable organization that is committed to significantly reducing the source of all on-site waste products and monitoring and improving the collection and management of these products. RBC Bluesfest organizers will strongly encourage all suppliers, partners, and fans of the festival to follow their lead in this endeavour. RBC Bluesfest runs from July 5 to 15. The festival site at LeBreton Flats Park offers a wide variety of food and mer- chandise concessions and is fully licensed. For more information on the 2018 Ottawa Bluesfest visit: https://ottawabluesfest.ca Ticket Prices: $59.00 CAD - $625.00 CAD

Follow on Facebook : @ottawabluesfest Follow on Instagram: @ottawabluesfest

Remember before going to any festival you need to find the one that is right for you, know all the costs and what is and what is not included. The prices that we have shown are for tickets only as many will have additional costs for parking and camping so be aware of this before you head to any festivals. As you can see there are many amazing festivals to choose from, but you don’t want to end up some- where you don’t enjoy so remember atmosphere is just as important if not more than just a spectac- ular line-up of artists. So, we hope that our top 10 music festival picks for the summer of 2018 can surely give you a couple of ideas to find what you are looking for according to your mood, tastes and the festival’s atmosphere. We want your summer to be the best of your life and your festival experience to be memorable for all the right reasons. Remember to tag us on social media at @ spotlightbizmag and use #Top10NAMusicfest so that we can share your experience with our readers.

Follow on Twitter: @ottawabluesfest

thank you to our advertisers

tim.houston@mail.com

902.752.0884 902.752.0884 130 George St. New Glasgow

Pictou County Locations

WINNIPEG FOLK FESTIVAL www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca/ PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL

www.pitchfork.com/festival.chicago ROCK THE BOAT MUSIC FESTIVAL www.tvoysterfest.ca/rock-the-baot,php THE 34TH ANNUAL GEORGE STREET FESTIVAL www.georgestreetlive.ca MADE IN AMERICA FESTIVAL www.madeinamericafest.com THE 23RD RIVERFRONT JUBILEE www.jubilee.ns.ca WE FEST 2018 www.wefest.com/ CAVENDISH BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL www.cavendishbeachmusic.com COUNTRY JAM USA 2018 www.countryjamwi.com

902-754-3224

Rock the Boat Rock theBoatMusicFest ish atGreenParkduring theTyne ValleyOysterFestival in the beautifulTyneValley,PEI, fromAugust1st-5th

The Glorious Sons - Kim Mitchell - The Roya Andrew Waite & The Firm - The Ellis Family Band -

www.tvoysterfest.ca/rock-the-boat.php

www.jubilee.ns.ca

BVJ- BIG VALLEY JAMBOREE www.bigvalleyjamboree.com/ BOOTS AND HEART MUSIC FESTIVAL www.bootsandhearts.com

www.centennialautogroup.ca

SUMMERFEST 2018 www.summerfest.com THE 25TH RBC BLUESFEST www.ottawabluesfest.ca

as spotlighted in the MAY 2018 issue of SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE

www.spotlightonbusinessmagazine.com

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