PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — Four prominent figures in Canadian alternative rock will share the stage in Peterborough as Trans-Canada Highwaymen headline Peterborough Musicfest, bringing together decades of homegrown music in a free waterfront concert.
The supergroup features Steven Page, co-founder and former lead singer of Barenaked Ladies; Chris Murphy of Sloan; Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness; and Craig Northey of Odds. The band is scheduled to take the Fred Anderson Stage at Del Crary Park at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12.
The appearance brings together musicians whose work played a significant role in Canadian radio and alternative rock from the late 1980s through the 1990s. Admission to the Musicfest performance is free and tickets are not required.
Four Canadian Songwriters Unite on One Stage
Trans-Canada Highwaymen draws on the individual catalogues of its four members, each of whom established a career through influential Canadian bands.
Among the songs associated with the musicians are “Brian Wilson,” “Underwhelmed,” “I’m an Adult Now” and “Someone Who’s Cool.” Together, the tracks represent different strands of the Canadian rock scene that developed during the late 1980s and 1990s.
The Musicfest performance will combine material from the members’ respective bands with selections from Trans-Canada Highwaymen’s 2023 album, Explosive Hits Vol. 1.
The album sees the group revisit Canadian songs associated with performers including The Guess Who, Joni Mitchell, Michel Pagliaro, April Wine, Andy Kim, Lighthouse and The Poppy Family.
With four separate musical careers and schedules involved, appearances by the full group remain relatively limited.
Musicfest Welcomes Returning Performers
Three of the four musicians already have connections to Peterborough Musicfest. Page, Murphy and Berg have previously performed at the festival, while the upcoming concert will mark Northey’s first appearance.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring Trans-Canada Highwaymen to the Musicfest stage,” says Tracey Randall, Executive Director. “Steven, Chris and Moe have all been part of Musicfest before, and welcoming them back alongside Craig makes this a very special night for us. To bring four artists who have contributed so much to Canadian music together on one stage—and share that experience with our audience for free—is what Musicfest is all about.”
The concert continues Musicfest’s longstanding model of offering major live performances without an admission charge, supported through corporate sponsorships, government funding, fundraising and private donations.
VANCAMP Opens Evening as Future Sound Series Continues
Programming at Del Crary Park will begin before the headline performance.
Peterborough singer-songwriter VANCAMP is scheduled to perform from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the side stage as part of the Future Sound Series presented by Cogeco.
VANCAMP’s music combines elements of country, rock, folk and pop, providing a local opening to an evening centred on Canadian songwriting.
Musicfest’s First Note program will also operate from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The initiative gives children and young people an opportunity to try instruments including guitars, keyboards and percussion.
The drop-in program is free, requires no registration and is open to participants without previous musical experience. First Note is supported by the Peterborough Foundation, with instruments supplied by Long & McQuade.
Free Admission Remains Central to Peterborough Musicfest
Trans-Canada Highwaymen are scheduled to begin their headline set at 8 p.m. on the Fred Anderson Stage.
No tickets are required for the concert. Chair rentals will be available for $10, while a free monitored Bike Valet service will operate at the Del Crary Park entrance at Rink and George streets.
Peterborough Musicfest is now in its 39th season and has hosted a broad range of Canadian and international performers over the years. Previous acts include Dallas Green, Metric, Our Lady Peace, Serena Ryder, Gordon Lightfoot, Terri Clark, Blue Rodeo, Little River Band and Down With Webster.
The festival is overseen by Executive Director Tracey Randall, staff and a board of directors. Its stated mission is to “provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”
The August 12 performance will extend that mandate by bringing four established Canadian rock musicians together for a free concert, offering Peterborough audiences a set spanning some of the country’s best-known alternative and popular music from recent decades.