PETERBOROUGH, ON — The arena-rock catalogues of Styx and Bon Jovi will take centre stage at Del Crary Park on Saturday, August 15, as Peterborough Musicfest welcomes Crystal Faith for a free evening concert featuring some of the genre’s most recognizable songs.
Crystal Faith: The Best of Styx and Bon Jovi will take the Fred Anderson Stage at 8 p.m. for a 90-minute performance designed to recreate the sound and arrangements associated with the two influential rock bands.
The five-piece tribute act performs the material in its original keys and aims to reproduce the arrangements note-for-note, giving audiences an opportunity to hear songs that helped shape the arena-rock era.
Crystal Faith Combines Two Major Arena-Rock Catalogues
The evening’s main performance will bring together two distinct styles of classic rock. Styx became known for layered vocal harmonies, prominent keyboards and progressive-rock influences, while Bon Jovi built its reputation around guitar-driven anthems, power ballads and large singalong choruses.
Crystal Faith’s set draws from both catalogues, creating a single concert experience aimed at longtime fans as well as younger audiences discovering the music.
Among the songs expected during the performance are “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.”
The selections span different periods of mainstream rock and remain familiar through radio play, streaming services and their continued presence in popular culture.
Colton Sisters to Open Musicfest Evening
Programming at Del Crary Park will begin before the headline performance. The Colton Sisters are scheduled to take the Future Sound Series presented by Cogeco side stage at 6:30 p.m.
The early performance forms part of an evening designed to offer additional opportunities for emerging performers while giving concertgoers more live entertainment ahead of the main show.
Musicfest will also offer First Note from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., providing children and youth with an opportunity to try playing an instrument.
No previous musical experience is required for the free, hands-on program. The initiative is supported by the Peterborough Foundation and delivered in partnership with Long & McQuade.
Free Admission Remains Central to Peterborough Musicfest
Admission to the concert at Del Crary Park is free, continuing a model that has become a defining feature of Peterborough Musicfest.
The festival is financed through a combination of corporate sponsorships, government support, fundraising initiatives and private donations. Many of its corporate sponsors are locally owned businesses, helping the organization maintain free public access to its concerts.
Musicfest encourages attendees to arrive early and bring lawn chairs or blankets for the outdoor event.
The festival has hosted a broad range of Canadian and international performers over the years, including Dallas Green, Little River Band, Metric, Our Lady Peace, Serena Ryder, Gordon Lightfoot, Down With Webster, Terri Clark and Blue Rodeo.
Festival Links Live Music With Community and Economic Activity
Peterborough Musicfest is overseen by Executive Director Tracey Randall, festival 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.”
Beyond providing entertainment, free outdoor concerts can contribute to activity in surrounding commercial areas by bringing residents and visitors into the city centre, supporting restaurants, retailers and other local businesses during event evenings.
The festival relies on its funding model to cover the costs associated with staging concerts while maintaining free admission. It continues to seek support from individuals and businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities.
Saturday’s program will begin with the Colton Sisters at 6:30 p.m., while First Note will operate from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Crystal Faith will take the Fred Anderson Stage at 8 p.m., bringing an evening of Styx and Bon Jovi favourites to Del Crary Park.