Each year tens of thousands of music fans converge on Gallagher Park for the Edmonton Folk Festival.
This year promises to be no different, except for the lack of a Wednesday night performance, come Aug. 5.
“It’s as strong as any festival we’ve put together,” said producer Terry Wickham, after announcing the festival’s lineup yesterday. “And the most expensive.”
As usual, the Edmonton Folk Festival’s reputation allowed Wickham to book some big name acts. But he said it’s the artists who populate the side stages that really determine the event’s success.
“It’s easy to focus on three or four names, but I think it’s the depth of the festival that’s the real strength,” he said. “The real reviews that matter of course are on the weekend.”
Big names at this year’s festival include Ben Harper, Gord Downie and John Prine, along with a few artists that have talent running through their families.
“We have Bob Dylan’s son (Jakob Dylan) and Hank Williams’ granddaughter (Holly Williams),” Wickham said. “I guess that’s a sign of age.”
Local musician Colleen Brown was at the lineup announcement at the Edmonton Ski Club yesterday and shared a few of her songs with the crowd.
“It’s such an honour to play this festival, I used to go running around in these gardens all the time,” she said.
Tickets for the four-day, outdoor music festival go on sale June 1. A four-day adult pass costs $139.
