Seven Music Fest tickets go on sale

The second annual outdoor Seven Music Fest is a go at Seven Hills for Saturday, July 9 and tickets go on sale this coming Friday.

For its size, St. Albert has produced a steady stream of vibrant musicians that contribute to every genre from jazz, blues and folk to rock, country and classical.

As soon as the grass sprouts a few stalks of green, we are out there enjoying the fresh air and dynamic talent.

After last year's inaugural success with national stars Sam Roberts Band, promoter Barry Bailey has booked headliner Walk Off the Earth, the 2016 Juno Group of the Year.

The Canadian alt rock, ska and reggae rock band has gained success around the world creating low budget music videos of originals and covers.

Bailey has nabbed electronic rock band Dear Rouge, the 2016 Juno Award Breakthrough Group of Year as well as hard touring alt country-rock blues band The Bros. Landreth

Also on tap is the Canadian indie rock band The Elwins and alternative country singer-songwriter Leeroy Stagger. The concert opens with two Edmonton based acts – the classic country trio The Carolines and Eyes on Ivan, a roots-folk album nominee at the 2014 Edmonton Music Awards.

“The lineup is a little more eclectic than last year's. The philosophy behind this show is to have music that appeals to people from my generation to folks that come with their kids. We're going to cover all the bases. You're going to hear music recorded in the 1940s from The Carolines up to Walk Off the Earth, one of the most prominent Canadian bands today,” said Bailey.

Walk Off the Earth, who last played in Edmonton with Marianna's Trench on April 1, is an unconventional multi-talented five-piece from Burlington, Ontario.

They have quite literally taken the cyber world by storm. Their interpretation of Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know exploded on YouTube snapping up 35 million hits in under two weeks.

“I like the multiplicity of instruments they play. It's not standard rock. They have lots of interesting instruments. They incorporate them, but not in a gimmicky way. They have strong vocals and they're fun to watch,” Bailey said.

Vancouver-based Dear Rouge is a band led by husband and wife duo Drew and Danielle McTaggart. As solo artists, both were in the business long before joining forces as Dear Rouge.

“They're an alternative dance rock, synth rock band. They've gotten to a point in their career where they've found their niche.”

The Winnipeg based Bros.Landreth was a band Bailey had on his radar after listening to them on CKUA.

“They're almost cut from the Corb Lund cloth. The ballads are not high end, but the music is soulful. It takes me back to the early days of 70s country rock bands.”

The Elwins, a pop-rock foursome out of Keswick, Ontario, are a nod to younger patrons with its bright infectious sounds while Leeroy Stagger reminds Bailey of John Hyatt and John Prime.

“Leeroy has a bit of growl that I associate with roots-rock.”

Instead Eyes on Ivan's signature tends towards hearty ballads and foot stompers that are borrowed from front man Cory Dee's Maritime background.

Last but not least is The Carolines, made up from the incredible voices of Chloe Lynn, Katie Louise and Lesley Yvonne. This fresh-faced country trio dips into a broad catalogue singing tunes from the Patsy Cline era to the contemporary Dixie Chicks.

Tickets go on sale at Friday, April 15 at 9 a.m. They are only available online through sevenmusicfest.com.