NEW GLASGOW – The riverfront will be rocking in August when the New Glasgow Jubilee returns with a lineup featuring performances by Joel Plaskett Emergency, Classified, Kim Mitchell and Matt Andersen.
The three-day music festival announced its lineup Tuesday, which includes the return of fan favourite Joel Plaskett Emergency headlining on Aug. 3. Classified, one of Canada’s top hip hop artists, will make its Jubilee debut Aug. 4, while everyone will be dancing under patio lanterns when Juno award winner Kim Mitchell hits the stage Aug. 5.
“I’m excited to see each night’s lineup – I’m really excited by what we’ve been able to pull together,” said Carlton Munroe, executive director of the Jubilee.
Plaskett is always a fan favourite, he said.
“The last time he played the Jubilee was three or four years ago, and he’s never a disappointment,” Munroe said. “Classified is up for six ECMAs and was nominated for a Juno, they’re one of the top hip hop acts in Canada and they’re from just down the road. It’s the first time they’ve played the Jubilee and we’re excited – and the people on Enfield will be as well.”
It’s been a number of years since Kim Mitchell played the area, he said.
“It’s honour to have someone like him – he’s produced some of the greatest party anthems,” he said.
Munroe says he’s happy he can finally answer the questions about the lineup that everyone seems to have right now.
“Every time I walk down the street, people are asking me about the lineup,” he said. “It’s much earlier than last year, we had it out in mid-May, but this will likely quell a lot of rumours this spring.”
The early lineup announcement will also help position the Jubilee among the other festivals in the province, he said, and allow for the sale of more advanced tickets.
But, he added, there are still some surprises to come – a few “new elements” are going to be added to the program, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We’re continuing to grow. In my opinion, the impact the Jubilee has on the community is unparalleled with any other when you look at the number of people who are coming into the area,” Munroe said.
That will be underlined this year, he added, when the Jubilee partners with Events Nova Scotia to do an economic impact assessment to determine the financial impact the festival has on the community.
“We know as organizers, and from the people who come to us that there are a lot of successful spinoffs,” he said, adding that data has already started to be compiled and more will be done during the Jubilee itself.
“Some information will be taken with a brief, in-person survey as people are walking through the gates. We’ll have 10 to 12 volunteers on hand, it’s maybe a minute of questions and then they’ll be on their merry way to enjoy the show.”
The festival main stage line up for the award winning, three-day, music festival (in the order they appear each night) is as follows: Friday, August 3: Battle of the Bands Winner, Sounds of Motown, Tim Chaisson & Morning Fold, Joel Plaskett and Alert the Medic. Saturday, August 4: Carry the Lost, Slowcoaster, artist to be announced, Classified and Dirty Deeds. Sunday, August 5: EB Anderson & The Resolutes, Dave Gunning, Matt Andersen, Kim Mitchell and The Stanfields.
