It’s the first ever event Eggplante attended (even before this site was in existence, actually!), and we’re about to heading into our third week on the Canadian Music Week circuit! We’ve been graced by performances from Lights, The Midway State, The Artist Life, Stereos, and seen countless more stars. Hedley, Karl Wolf, Girlicious, and Daughtry have all made appearances in the past, and 2011 isn’t looking to be very different. And what a sweet thing that is.
The lineup for the festival itself, where tons upon tons of bands show up to perform, and even more fans show up to watch, has been announced, and the list is nothing short of woah. 800 artists, 55 venues (yep, FIFTY-FIVE), all taking place over five nights of Canadian Music greatness. And of course, it wouldn’t be CMW without the fact that you can see whatever you want by just buying a single wristband! Pretty incredible – this is the only place on the planet that you can get this much live music content for a single price. Go Canada.
Some of the big names you can find at the festival are Down With Webster at Massey Hall (we’ll be at that show!), Melissa Etheridge & Serena Ryder, and Good Charlotte at The Phoenix, just to name three out of, you know… eight hundred.
The Indies have also been announced, where we’ve seen Canadian music greats win awards, and we’re starting to usher in new bands this year with names like Hollerado, Shad, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Janelle Monae. Hannah Georgas & Desperate Union will also be making an appearance to round out the night, in addition to other names that will no doubt be checking out the stage from the green room. You know, the one we’ve reported from every year.
We’re still waiting on details about FanFest this year, and of course the CRMA nominees include some huge names like Hedley, Michael Buble, and the Bieber, but the Song of the Year award is what I’m personally really waiting for. Hedley’s “Perfect”, Buble’s “Haven’t Met You Yet”, Fefe Dobson’s “Ghost”, Down With Webster’s “Your Man”, and the Young Artists for Haiti version of “Wavin’ Flag” were all songs I listened to repeatedly throughout 2010, and while they each deserve recognition for their songs, only one can take it home. You can count on Eggplante to report on the entire week’s events, including a more focused approach to the festival shows themselves, including reporting from Massey Hall, The Phoenix Concert Theatre, and of course the Royal York Hotel to get those interviews I know you’re all after!
See you in March when it all goes down!