With the new year comes a renewed hope that we might see some more live shows than last year. Of course, still being in the throes of the pandemic, any concerts or festivals are easily swayed by surges of COVID-19. Unfortunately, this seems to be the case with New Brunswick’s Shivering Songs Festival, the date now pushed back to sometime in February and both Jeremy Dutcher and Grand Theft Boss having to drop off the bill of live shows.
Billed as “a midwinter celebration of songwriting and storytelling”, Shivering Songs is focussed on supporting local artists and venues, and in fact, their entire lineup announced last week all are based in New Brunswick’s Zone 3. But with the Zone moving from Yellow to Orange Alert, the festival has had little choice but to push the whole affair back.
“This was always going to be an adaptive year for us,” says co-organizer Zach Atkinson. “Moving our dates ahead will allow us to prioritize supporting the local community, when Zone 3 returns to Yellow Phase, and we can once again present a safe, socially distanced concert experience.”
It’s not a surprising move, and definitely one that concertgoers will have to get accustomed to for the time being. With surges still unpredictable at times, there are bound to be cancelled concerts and postponed festivals aplenty, but it’s the wisest course of action for event planners looking to not only entertain their communities but also keep them safe.
The new dates will be announced in the coming weeks, and the updated lineup features: Anthony Bryan, Grand Theft Bus, Hot Garbage Players, The Hypochondriacs, Jerry Faye, John Leroux, Les Chanterelles, Keith Hallett, Kieran Smyth, Kill Chicago, Kylie Fox, Maggie Estey, Mike Bravener & Bluebird, Monark, Montgomery Street Band, Motherhood, Pallmer, Quinn Bonnell, Qwinn, Slumps, Some Dads, Thandiwe McCarthy, and Weak Size Fish.
Jeremy Dutcher’s departure from the lineup is certainly a big change, but refunds will be issued for anyone who had tickets to see the Polaris Prize winner or Grand Theft Bus.
Despite all bumps in the road, Shivering Songs seems set to carry on as soon as safely possible. Holding “a concentrated effort to support local artists, venues, and contractors who’ve struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic”, the festival clearly has the best interests of New Brunswick’s music community in mind.