The first signs of spring have hit the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) and the sounds of summer are not far behind. Sydney Credit Union Makin’ Waves Music Festival today announced three of the five concerts that will make up the fourth edition of the festival.
July 5th will kick off the festival with Juno nominated songwriter Ria Mae. One of Canada’s hottest acts, Ria’s songs “Clothes Off”, “Bend”, and “Ooh Love” have been certified gold and platinum by Music Canada, broken the Billboard Top 100 charts, and have garnered recognition from East Coast Music Association (ECMA), Music Nova Scotia, and The JUNO Awards.
Joining Ria Mae is Cape Breton songwriter Carmel Mikol. Carmel released her third album in 2015, which received attention from CBC with the single “Hold”. Carmel’s music has been described as two parts The Decemberists and one part Sinéad O’Connor with tinges of early Buffy Sainte-Marie.
July 19th will see two of Atlantic Canada’s premier party bands hit the stage at the Wentworth Park Bandshell. Pretty Archie and Jordan Musycsyn Band will combine to make for a memorable night as their only hometown festival appearance this summer. Pretty Archie has had an incredible couple of years with their album “Sing Alongs & Love Songs.” The record has been nominated for an ECMA, while it has taken the band coast to coast for tours and festivals. Jordan Musycsyn Band has been no slouch either. Their latest, 2016’s “Old State of Mind” has been a critical success and nominated for Music Nova Scotia awards in 2017. Jordan has also appeared as part of the Cape Breton Summertime Review and showcased at the East Coast Music Awards.
Two rising stars take the stage July 26th as Halifax’s Hillsburn and Yukon’s Diyet & The Love Soldiers make their returns to Cape Breton Island. Hillsburn has been a buzz band across the East Coast with their harmony filled indie rock songs, having three nominations at the 2017 ECMA’s. They’ve performed live on East Coast Music Hour – CBC Radio, and have released a brand new album, “The Wider Beyond,” this winter. Diyet & The Love Soldiers made their Cape Breton debut at the 2017 Contact East conference where they wowed the audience with their remarkable songcraft and unique roots esthetic. Hailing from the Yukon, the Northern trio will make their festival appearance in the middle of an East Coast tour supporting their new self-titled album released this spring.
Sydney Credit Union Makin’ Waves Music Festival is presented by CBRM Recreation and the Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative. The festival takes place at the Wentworth Park Bandshell in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on Thursday evenings from July 5th through August 2nd. The festival is free to attend due to generous contributions from Festival partners including 101.9 The GIANT, Marco Hearing Health Centre, Atlantic Lottery / Loto Atlantique, and Sound Source Pro Audio.
Additional artists will be announced May 15th. More information available at makinwavesfestival.ca.