Julie Doiron

Mainstage Tent, Sackville NB, August 2

Photo: Stephen McGill

BY Ryan McNuttPublished Aug 3, 2014

6
I was nervous about Julie Doiron's time slot at Sappyfest. The "mayor of Sackville," as she was introduced, is obviously a Sappy institution, having played eight of the last nine festivals and part of five different performances on this year's Saturday (August 2) alone. But she's usually booked at shows around Sackville, not on the festival's evening main stage, and she was sandwiched as the penultimate set between three high-energy rock acts.

My fears were somewhat on-target — the crowd proved chatty and distracted during the quieter moments of Doiron's set, and accordingly, songs where support man Will Kidman switched from drums to guitar (including lovely covers of "Love Hurts" and "Bring it On Home to Me") struggled to connect beyond the keeners in the front. But Doiron also brought some heft as well, fingerpicking with force through a fun set-opening "Cars and Trucks" and, with her particular brand of nervous, joyful energy, demonstrating why as "mayor" she's such a beloved local institution.

Photo Gallery: FB

Latest Coverage