COVID-19 may have thrown our festival plans for a loop, but as they say, the show must go on. Music • Musique NB is committed to its annual celebration of the best musical talents that the province has to offer, even if their usual Festival (506) doesn’t happen in person. From October 22 to 25 Music • Musique NB will be taking their festival to the Information Superhighway with a series of online performances and more.
“As many other organizations have done, our annual conference, Festival (506) has shifted online for 2020,” says the organizers in their announcement.
“We know things are uncertain, however, we find it’s important to look toward a not-too-distant future that involves live music. Music • Musique NB still believes in providing opportunities for professionals working in the industry to get to know each other and discover artists from New Brunswick.
“With everything that has been going on, it was important for us to highlight and celebrate NB music and talent. The event will be taking place entirely online. Showcases are pre-recorded, in 2 sound stages (one in Moncton, one in Fredericton), with all necessary health precautions, and the videos will be available during the Festival. People will be able to pick and choose which showcases to watch and when.”
Along with today’s announcement came the list of the New Brunswick who will be performing at the 2020 Festival (506).
The line-up includes BAIE, Capital 6, Chloe Breault, Christine Melanson, Dillon Ryan & The Dream Romantic, Émilie Landry, Kylie Fox, Les Fireflies, Les MoonTunes, Marian, Matt Boudreau, Pallmer, Phil Athanase, REY D, The Backstays, The Firey, The Hypochondriacs, The Tortoise The Hare & The Millionaire, Weak Size Fish and Wolf Castle.
More than strictly performances (which you can absorb at your own pace over the course of three days, mind you), the festival will also include conferences and speakers, online networking sessions for artists and 1-on-1 pre-arranged meetings between delegates and artists/teams.
Festival (506) will, of course, also include the 2020 Prix MNB Awards. Organizers say that they are still hammering out the logistics details, but will have the full list of nominees announced in the next few weeks.
So, as Music • Musique NB say, “Dust off your Netscape 1.0 and get ready to dance to old-school modem noises!”
Festival (506) takes place from October 22 – 26, 2020 all on the internet. Passes can be purchased online here.