Edmonton folk fest organizers unveil 'dream' lineup for summer 2022 return
Edmonton Folk Music Festival's 2022 lineup includes acts organizers have been trying to snag for years.
Festival producer Terry Wickham revealed the event's full lineup on Wednesday, adding to the list of knowns – including The National, Buffy Sainte-Marie, The War on Drugs – headliner Canadian country musician Orville Peck, string band Old Crow Medicine Show and San Franciscan La Doña.
"Because of our budget and because there's so much good music out there, every year we have at least a very good lineup. But some years we have a great lineup, and this year is a great lineup," Wickham said at a news conference Wednesday morning, noting several featured bands have declined previously.
"The National, that's a dream come true for us. We've been trying it, as I say, for a long, long time. Couldn't quite believe it when they said yes," Wickham commented.
The American rock band will close Saturday night.
Old Crow Medicine Show, along with Mick Flannery and Susan O'Neill and Lord Huron, will close the festival on Sunday.
"We've been trying to get [Old Crow Medicine Show] for a long time, so that's going to be exciting."
Wickham attributed the big lineup to luck and momentum.
"It seemed like we got one or two big names, the others seemed to come along," Wickham recalled. "2020 wasn't that kind of year. It was a struggle to get the lineup I wanted."
The main stage will also host KALEO, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Allison Russell, Larkin Poe, and Matt Andersen.
Altogether, there are nearly 60 scheduled performances, plus the event will feature "impromptu" performances from Indigenous artists throughout its site.
NO RESTRICTIONS, JUST 'ADVICE'
Although there are no government mandated COVID-19 restrictions, organizers of the folk festival are implementing some precautions, like switching to compostable plates instead of reusable plates and encouraging payment by card.
"We're outdoors, that'll help. We'll be looking at shuttle vans and points of contact. We're mask friendly. But we won't have any restrictions for the audience. Just advice and signage. If you're going into the porta potty, I'd wear a mask. Maybe two," Wickham joked.
The festival has maintained a dynamic health policy, so protocol could change if organizers deem it necessary. But they're hopeful they won't.
"It's time to celebrate, time to come back together as a community," Wickham said.
"You know, I think this town needs the folk festival."
Tickets to the 43rd festival go on sale online June 4. Ticket prices are available online.
Organizers announced in February the festival would happen after being cancelled for two years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.