The Barra MacNeils quite possibly defined east coast music for a whole generation, and the Cape Breton quintet are still releasing new material. Ahead of their Spring tour in support of their latest album, On The Bright Side, they’ve released “Living the Dream,” and presumably, since they’re the Barra MacNeils, that’s a pretty credible claim.
The band promise that their new album will be “an awesome collection of everything their fans love.” No doubt, that means it include all the five-part harmonies, bodhrans and fiddles you can shake a stick at.
The first single from the album, “Living The Dream” should seem pretty straight forward, but Stewart MacNeil has a month in depth explanation.
“Living The Dream is a song that is probably centred around the opening lines of the second verse:
“We’re all on the take
We hunt and we gather
Shop till you drop
What does it matter”
It’s a testament to modern life, the rat race, people’s quest for power and personal happiness and how everyone in all walks of life are just trying to muddle their way through life’s up’s and down’s. We’re all on the road to somewhere….” explains Stewart MacNeil.
The band say they’re excited to be putting out a fresh album and hitting the road for another tour, despite their three decades of past experiences.
“We are just getting started which is wonderful to be able to say after a career that has already spanned over 30 years! We are all really looking forward to sharing this new music with fans, old and new; and touring extensively over the coming months in support of the new release. Touring is hard work but it is also the best way to connect with fans; both from the stage and in meeting them personally in the lobby and so on after the shows.”
Tour Dates:
May 3, 2018 – Scotiabank Centre Halifax, NS
May 23, 2018 – The Algonquin Theatre, Huntsville, ON
May 24, 2018 – The Imperial Theatre, Sarnia
May 25, 2018 – The Academy Theatre, Lindsay, ON
May 27, 2018 – Festival Hall, Pembroke, ON
May 28, 2018 – Aultsville Theatre, Cornwall, ON
May 30, 2018 – Empire Theatre, Belleville, ON
May 31, 2018 – The Orillia Opera House, Orillia, ON
June 1, 2018 – Capitol Centre, North Bay, ON
June 3, 2018 – The Grand Theatre, London, ON
June 4, 2018 – First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catherine’s, ON
June 5, 2018 – Fraser Auditorium, Sudbury, ON
June 7, 2018 – The Arts Center, Brockville, ON
June 20 – 22, 2018 – ideacity, Toronto, CA 3
June 23, 2018 – Hugh’s Room Live, Toronto, ON
Aug 1, 2018 – St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Sydney Mines, NS
Aug 2, 2018 – The Markland Dingwall, NS
Aug 6, 2018 – Miramichi Civic Centre, Miramichi, NB
Aug 3, 2018 – La Place des arts Père-Anselme-Chiasson Cheticamp