The inaugural Troubadour Festival ended on Sunday evening, but the success will be ringing in the ears of many until next year’s event.
The three-day music festival had over 40 musical acts performing in five locations throughout downtown Barrie and was such a positive experience that the 2019 dates were announced late yesterday for Sept. 20-22.
Ryan Andersen was one of the festival organizers and was overjoyed with the number of fans who came out.
“We are very pleased with the inaugural year of Troubadour Festival,” said Andersen. “Over 3,000 music fans from across central and southern Ontario took in various shows at the five unique venues over three days.
"Downtown Barrie is a beautiful setting for this type of multi-venue music festival and we look forward to growing Troubadour Festival over the years," he added. "From the involvement by local businesses to city staff and the entire festival team we are very pleased with the success our first year.”
The newly built Meridian Place stage had a great line-up Saturday, headlined by the highly acclaimed Nova Scotia-based band the Joel Plaskett Emergency.
Also performing was Midland’s own the Born Ruffians, who had the crowd jumping during their set.
Born Ruffians bassist Mitch Derosier spoke to BarrieToday and said that not only were he and the band enjoying the festival, but that the well-travelled musicians were glad to get back to the big city of Barrie.
“This was great and we loved being out there,” said Derosier. “It is funny because despite being from just up the highway we played Barrie maybe only one other time.
"We played all around the area when we growing up and all also all over the province, but Barrie was always the big city to us," he added "It is where you would go shopping and go to have fun because we grew up in small town Midland and liked to get out every now and then. It was cool, we had family and friends in the crowd and a few fans who we see at our shows here as well.”
One couple who were taking in the festival because of the Born Ruffians were Joe Carrey and girlfriend Lauren Beech, who came up from Brampton for the day and while they have a favourite act they were enjoying the whole idea of the Troubadour Festival.
“We love the Born Ruffians and came to check them out and now we’re going to try to take in something else,” Carrey said after the Ruffians set. “We love concerts and go to maybe 20 or 30 shows a year and this was a nice drive and a great day.”
Not only did the event bring fans from Brampton, Hamilton and even Coboconk, but local music fans were happy to see a shift in the scene in Barrie.
Barry Hunnakko has lived in Barrie for eight years and as a musician himself was very excited to be at the festival and took part in the workshops and the concerts for a new type of music event in town.
“Barrie is kind of a cover-band, classical rock scene, but I would say it is definitely up and coming and I believe it is certainly turning around,” said Hunnakko. “This festival really makes me feel like the music scene here has been brought to life for songwriters and musicians because it has allowed so many to get together and take in all types of new artists and experience new genres.
"I have definitely enjoyed myself here.”
One of the many workshops that took place Saturday afternoon was an informative look at the Nashville music scene and had a performance from Mitch Rossell. The Tennessee-based musician also performed at the unique St. Andrew’s church location and feels that the festival continuing would be great for boosting all music in the area.
“The people have been great and the venues are really cool,” said Rossell. “This workshop was really interesting and fun for me and I think the folks in the audience loved it, too. It is a great way for us as musicians to connect with people which is what making music is really about.
"There are lots of these types of events in the U.S. and they really work, I understand this is the first for Barrie and I would encourage everyone involved to keep it going.”
