Shivering Songs has been a mainstay of Fredericton winters for the last seven years now. It’s an ember in an otherwise useless month, meant to melt away the midwinter frost that keeps us paralyzed with seasonal affective disorder, and combats January blues with a celebration of song writing and storytelling. The festival is still more than two months away, but today the Fredericton-based Festival have announced their initial 2017 line-up.
Originally conceived as a small folk festival celebrating an album release by local band The Olympic Symphonium, the festival has grown drastically in the years since. The event now draws fans of folk music and literature from across Atlantic Canada, luring in our neighbours from the Northeastern United States as well, despite the chill.
Last year’s festival saw big performances from the likes of Joel Plaskett (and Joel Plaskett’s dad!), Shane Koyczan, Mo Kenney, Les Hay Babies, The Burning Hell, and a workshop with world renowned children’s author Sheree Fitch.
The big announcement today included a list of this year’s highly anticipated performers, or at least ten of them: Basia Bulat, LUKA, Jim Bryson, Justin Rutledge, The Wooden Sky and Donovan Woods, Rose Cousins, Lydia Mainville, The Hypochondriacs will once again be performing their Grand Ole Opry, this year in the style of a Sunday Brunch, and the festival’s esteemed founders, The Olympic Symphonium will of course be making an appearance as well.
As a partner of Fredericton’s FROSTival, Shivering Songs features musicians of international renown in historic areas scattered throughout Downtown Fredericton. While the music is a draw for those looking to take in the festival, Shivering Songs aim to set itself apart from other festivals through their choice in venue. While the Fredericton Farmer’s Market certainly packs a crowd, the real jewel in their crown in Fredericton’s Wilmot Church.
“While the music is beyond comparison, the secret weapon of Shivering Songs is certainly their gorgeous space,” said award winning local architect and past performer John Leroux. “The interior of Wilmot United Church is renowned for its acoustics, but it also possesses a beauty that’s both intimate and powerful. It’s an incredible feeling being in a historic treasure that’s so full of music and life, where the 19th century and the 21st dovetail perfectly.”
Shivering Songs will be taking place January 19th through 22nd in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Tickets and passes are now on sale for Shivering Songs 2017 online at www.shiveringsongs.com and at the Etixnow kiosks located at Gray Stone Brewing and Isaac’s Way in Fredericton, NB.