SUDBURY—Northern Lights Festival Boreal (NLFB) returns to Bell Park this week (July 4-6). The festival has a highly acclaimed lineup from across Canada and beyond including Wikwemikong’s Crystal Shawanda. Ms. Shawanda will join other festival headliners including Canadian music icon Bruce Cockburn, Tokyo Police Club and Wintersleep.
Crystal Shawanda is a roots/country star and an international sensation. She signed to RCA/Song in 2007 and has since released a string of hit albums and singles that has put her at the front of Canadian Country music. Her 2012 album, ‘Just Like You,’ won the Juno for Aboriginal Album of the year and now she is preparing for the long tour to promote her newest album where Crystal explores the rich history of Delta blues.
Several additions have been introduced to the festival including: site décor enhancements, a professional development program for artists, and a greater variety of vendors and crafters. NLFB presents some of the best in Canadian roots and modern music however the festival has long-been a valuable outlet for local emerging artists getting their first appearances on festival stages.
Another exciting Northern act gracing the NLFB stages will be Murder Murder. Coining the term ‘bloodgrass,’ the group plays murder ballads and gun fighting songs exclusively, spinning their own dark folk tales and doing some traditional material as well. Though the tales are often fictional, the songs seem raw and real, and intrigue the listener. Murder Murder reminds us why we love such classics and ‘Long Black Veil (done by The Band, Johnny Cast etc.) and ‘Hey Joe’ (Jimi Hendrix).
The Almighty Rhombus is a pop-rock band from Sudbury, known for their infectious pop melodies and amped-up energy on-stage. They’ve been touring heavily all over Canada, promoting their first full-length release ‘Lucid Living.’ Most recently they’ve been featured in showcases at Canada Music Week and at North by Northeast. This band will provide the perfect soundtrack for some good old fashioned ‘fun in the sun.’
With a lineup of fantastic locals, emerging artists from Canada and abroad and some very highly acclaimed headliners, NLFB makes an assertion as the musical event of the year for the North. The weekend promises to be a must-see cultural event that is all about the love of real music.’
For more information about the festival and ticket information visit www.nlfbsudbury.com.
