Lucknow’s Music in the Fields closes out the Summer

We wrapped up our summer festival season this past weekend with Lucknow’s Music in the Fields takeover of Graceland in Lucknow Ontario. There is no denying that this home grown festival deserves some serious recognition for not only bringing stellar lineups year after year but also for their involvement in the beautiful community of Lucknow. The Lucknow Kinsmen are a non-profit community organization and all money raised by initiatives like Lucknow’s Music in the Fields goes right back into their community to support charities, hospitals, schools and other various community projects. Over the past 9 years the Lucknow Kinsmen have been able to donate over 1 million dollars back into their community. A small town festival with HUGE heart if you ask us!

Kicking things off on Thursday night was Meghan Patrick for the Thursday Night Throwdown. While Toronto native DJ Rivex kept the party going well into the night for the crowd of campers that rolled in early Thursday evening.

Friday brought a much anticipated all Canadian lineup of Genevieve Fisher, Cold Creek County and Tim Hicks.

Genevieve got the party started with her hit “Take It on Home” and had the crowd going wild with the news of her new single release “You Me We”. We’ve seen a lot of Genevieve this summer and we can’t wait to see what the next year has in store for her. She’s on her way up thats for sure!

Next up was the ever energetic boys of Cold Creek County. We’ve been lucky enough to catch them a couple times this summer and we swear they just keep getting better and better. These guys absolutely explode on stage and had no problem warming up the crowd on a brisk Friday night. Playing through their hits “Till the Wheels Come Off” ” Our Town” and their newest single “Homemade” to the ever entertaining dance moves of lead singer Ches Anthony and guitarist Josh Lester for “24k Magic” and closing out their show with one of the most heartfelt, harmony driven covers of the Eagles classic “Take it to the Limit” which has easily become my absolute favourite part of a Cold Creek County show.

Closing out Friday night the only way he knows how was Tim Hicks. Tim is a performer through and through and as always he did not disappoint. Although there were no flames like the night before in Toronto Tim and his crew sure lit up the Music in the Fields stage with old favourites like “Get By”, ” Hell Raisin’ Good Time” and Canadian Country anthem “Stronger Beer” to chill inducing “Here Comes the Thunder” and “Dust and Bone”. Tim slowed things down with “She Don’t Drink Whiskey Anymore” and the crowd and one lucky fan was surprised with an on stage proposal from her boyfriend, and of course she said yes! Tim also gave the crowd a taste of his newly released single “Forever Rebels” which we believe there is no doubt it will be another #1 Hit for Mr. Hicks.

Heading into Saturday there was already a buzz in the air for the much anticipated lineup for the day which included Alee, River Town Saints, The Washboard Union, Tom Cochrane and Jake Owen.

Alee kicked off the day with music from her newly released album including the title track “Bad Habit” to a small but mighty early afternoon crowd.

River Town Saints wasted no time when taking the stage to get the crowd pumped up. I mean really how can you not get up and out of your seat when these guys are leaving every last ounce of energy on the stage. RTS had Graceland rocking with crowd favourites “Cherry Bomb” and “Bonfire” and bassist Dan DiGiacomo showed off his killer rap skills during a medley of pop, rock and country hits. The boys then slowed it down with their latest single “Woke Up Like This”.

Next up was the much anticipated Washboard Union. Looking out into the crowd there was no denying these guys have a following with a cluster of washboards held proudly high in the sky. This was my first time catching The Washboard Union and all I can say is WOW. If you ever have the chance to see these gentlemen don’t pass it up. The crowd danced away the afternoon to “Maybe its the Moonshine”, “Shot of Glory”, “Head over Heels” and latest single “Shine”. There is no denying they put their heart and soul into their music and it absolutely resonates with their fans.

As the sun went down Tom Cochrane and Red Rider took the stage to a rowdy Saturday night crowd. The energy and passion brought to the stage by this Canadian Icon is just unbelievable and is an experience all its own. Hearing the crowd sing along and almost over power Tom during “Big League” and “Boy Inside The Man” was something i’m sure no one in attendance will ever forget. Powering through a set full of all his hits there was just one song we knew the crowd was dying to hear, from the first cord everyone in attendance went wild for “Life is a Highway”. What an incredible performer, song writer and musician, a true icon.

As the flamingos, palm trees and tiki bars rolled out on stage we just knew Jake was going to bring a party; and that he did! Dropping a massive flamingo banner exposing himself and his band staggered in the air kicking the show off with his smash hit “Beachin” was a perfect way to warm up the crowd. As he strut around the stage in his bare feet he braved the chilly Ontario air and entertained a sea of thousands with his ever growing list of hits including “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” “American Country Love Song”, “Days of Gold” and latest single “Good Company”

After a weekend filled with fantastic food, music and people we cannot wait to see what the lovely folks at Music in the Field’s has in store for us next year as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary. Thank you for having us be a part of such a wonderful weekend!

For more details on LuckNow’s Music in the Fields, it’s history and future lineups visit www.musicinthefields.ca

Photos & Words : Kayla Winkworth