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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Music P.E.I. is ready to welcome back its annual music festival in March after cancelling it last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was disappointing to not make it happen in 2022, said Music P.E.I. executive director Rob Oakie at an event held Jan. 30 at The Guild in Charlottetown to announce the lineup for the upcoming 2023 Music P.E.I. Week.
“We had to cancel it last year because of the outbreak in March, two days before it was supposed to start. The year before, we did have the event, but we had to reduce the numbers,” he said.
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This is the first time since 2019 the concert will take place without a reduction in participants.
The preparations are in good shape, said Oakie.
“We have an amazing team on, some great staff and we’ve been doing some very good work. We’ve had a great response from the community for sponsorship and this is the most sponsorship we’ve had in a few years. We are all very excited.”
It’s a great celebration of the Island’s music, said Music P.E.I. board member Mark Watts.
“I’m very excited to see it back. It’s a great opportunity for the talented Island artists to showcase their work to the public and the music industry again.”
Did you know?
• The 2023 Music P.E.I. Week takes place March 8-12 at numerous venues across P.E.I., including Souris, Charlottetown and Summerside.
• To see the festival’s full lineup, visit www.musicpei.com.
• The Cavendish Farms Music P.E.I. Week Shuttle bus will provide limited free transportation from Charlottetown to Summerside and Souris and back for those who RSVP at www.musicpei.com.
Singer and songwriter Logan Richard, who was named the new artist of the year by Music P.E.I. in 2021, is nominated for the soul recording of the year and will be performing March 10.
“We’ll be performing at the rock showcase in Summerside. We got the band together and we’ll probably perform five songs,” he said.
“It’s a fun time to see my friends that I haven’t seen for a while. Most of the nominees are my friends as it’s a small community, as you see, so it’s a great time to see them performing and for us to support each other.”
Keeghan Gillis, who was at the announcement, said she can’t wait to see her favourite singer, Dylan Menzie, on stage on March 11 in Souris. He is nominated for album of the year with his album, “Modern Classic.”
“I think the festival will be very popular this year, especially when it’s coming out from the pandemic after many ups and downs. It’s a great time for people to enjoy music, go out and support the local artists,” she said.
Jennie Pham is a second-year student in the journalism program at Holland College in Charlottetown.