Roots, rock, reggae, blues and soul are all on offer as the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival returns to Deer Lake Park for its 15th year this summer.
The festival, which is coming on Saturday, Aug. 9, has just announced its performance lineup - with some returning names and some first-timers, and young performers alongside veterans of the music world.
Headlining this year is Big Sugar, who'll churn out their unique blend of roots-rock-reggae, soul and dub with double-neck guitars and flying dreadlocks.
"Gordie Johnson and his Rasta brethren are well-known for their thundering live performances spiced with epic dub excursions that keep crowds grooving," promises a press release.
Also getting top billing is New Brunswick blues-folk guitarist Matt Andersen, who'll take to the stage with the MelloTones.
Bettye LaVette, a.k.a. "The Great Lady of Soul," is joining the bill in celebration of her 50-plus-year career in show business - which dates back to her first single My Man - He's a Loving Man in the fall of 1962. It charted No. 7 on the R&B charts and put her on her first national tour with Ben E. King and another newcomer, Otis Redding.
Another powerful female singer is on board in the person of Imelda May, whose rise has been unstoppable since the release of her 2010 album Mayhem - and, with the anticipated release of Tribal this June, will only get higher.
From the tradition of raw and primal blues comes The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, a.k.a. Shawn "The Harpoonist" Hall and Matthew "The Axe Murderer" Rogers, with their sack of harmonicas and mess of foot percussion and their sounds that pays homage to influences ranging from Robert Johnson to Jack White.
Also on the bill are Wide Mouth Mason, Shakey Graves, Blind Boy Paxton, Steve Kozak, Chic Gamine, Rich Hope and His Evil Doers, and Miss Quincy.
The festival is produced by the City of Burnaby in association with Live Nation.
Gates open at noon and the show starts at 1 p.m. for a full afternoon and evening of live music in the grassy amphitheatre against the picturesque backdrop of Deer Lake.
Tickets will go on sale Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m.
Special anniversary-priced single tickets are $40, with four-packs available for $140. Only 1,000 anniversary tickets are available.
Otherwise, single tickets are $50, with four-packs for $180. Day-of-show tickets are $65.
Tickets will be available at www.burnabybluesfestival.com or through the Shadbolt Centre box office at 604-205-3000.
Seating is general admission and open to all ages.
