The Washboard Union Hits Fredericton on the Road Back to Cavendish

The Fredericton Playhouse erupted in applause as The Washboard Union took the stage on Saturday night during the last show of the Second Stop on the Road Back to Cavendish tour. Fans were also treated to music by Shantaia and Raquel Cole.

RBCxMusic’s First Up emerging artist, Shantaia, opened the night with her “Two Cents” in an acoustic set on the Road Back to Cavendish. From songs about heartbreak to small town nostalgia, her relatable lyrics kept listeners engaged. The independent artist also performed her upcoming single, “Hung Over You”, which is set to be released next month.

Raquel Cole, the second act of the evening, captured the attention of the audience from the moment she walked onstage. Her wit and charm, mixed with her smooth vocals and songwriting abilities, showcased the singer’s undeniable talent and authenticity. Cole introduced an array of original music including, “Imogene”, a song that landed her second place in The International Songwriting Competition.

Emerging from the pitch black, The Washboard Union kicked off their performance with the fan favourite “What We’re Made Of.” In between their high energy, full band set, they mixed in a medley of their favourite songs, which lead into an acoustic version of their 2020 release, “More Memories Than Wishes”. As they sang, cell phone lights could be seen shining throughout the audience, resembling a star filled sky.

The Washboard Union invited Raquel Cole to return to the stage for a performance of the bluegrass song, “Fox on the Run”, a song they recorded with The Good Brothers for the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

They ended the night with their top 10 hit, “Shot of Glory”, which got the crowd on their feet. The sound of the audience singing back echoed throughout the theatre and brought a feeling of harmonious unity over the room, something that only live music can manage to do and something we’ve been missing over the last two years.

The Road Back to Cavendish is a series of shows leading up to the return of Cavendish Beach Music Festival scheduled for July 7-9 in Cavendish, PEI.  The Washboard Union and Raquel Cole are two of the 35+ acts set to hit the stage during the three day festival.