Booking the Townehouse Tavern full-time is a great way for Paul Loewenberg to find the bands best suited to play at the Northern Lights Festival Boréal.
Loewenberg, who has been the festival’s artistic director for the past 11 years, said people can still expect to hear the brand of fresh, soulful music the festival originated with in 1972.
“We really concentrate on booking artists that believe in what they do,” he said.
Nearly 40 years later, Loewenberg said the festival has stayed close to its roots, with focus on bringing headliners to the city, and putting local artists on the same stage.
The festival begins July 9 at 6 p.m. and runs from 11 a.m. until midnight on July 10 and 11.
The Tragically Hip’s frontman Gord Downie will headline this year’s show, along with The Sadies, Cuff the Duke and children’s performer Fred Penner.
Loewenberg said he is glad Downie will be playing the festival.
“Sudbury is a huge Tragically Hip town,” he said, noting that the group often sells out shows in the city. “We’re happy to have him.”
He said is also looking forward to local performers, like Kate Maki and Faye Blais, who are returning home to play in the festival.
“I’m really thrilled Kate Maki is back,” he said, adding that she recently toured the continent.
We really concentrate on booking artists that believe in what they do.
Paul Loewenberg,
artistic director, Northern Lights Festival Boréal
He also said Faye Blais “is an absolutely stunning performer.”
Loewenberg said he is also looking forward to the performers’ workshops. He explained the workshops, which include a collaboration of diverse performers, give audiences the chance to see further into the musicians’ styles. “That’s the funnest part of working in a festival like this.”
Although “passionate music” made with “integrity” is still at the heart of the festival, Bell Park won’t be this year.
Due to construction at the amphitheater, the festival has been moved to the soccer fields near the sports complex at Laurentian University. “We’re happy they stepped up when the city decided to rebuild the park,” Loewenberg said. “I think its a great venue.”
Tents will be set up so the main stages will be protected from rain, and in case of bad weather, the children’s area will be moved to the Alphonse Raymond building in the university.
The Laurentian University grounds will likely only see the festival for one season though, the festival director explained.
“We certainly look forward to being in the new, rebuilt Bell Park next year,” he said. “We have the highest hopes for a brand new venue.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nlfbsudbury.com.
