On Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Park Olympic in Montreal, the L’appel Montréal festival headlined by Montreal’s own Half Moon Run took place, filling the evening with Indie Rock.

OTTAWA – Tuesday, May 28, 2024 –  CityFolk organizers today announced a lineup that music enthusiasts have been looking forward to with avid interest. CityFolk—staged in September—has become a back-to-school staple for students and a popular summer wrap-up for many outdoor festival fans.

The Calgary Stampede is thrilled to welcome back the Coca-Cola® Stage for 2022! Reimagined in a new location on the southwest end of Stampede Park, the iconic stage will feature award-winning artists so you can sing and dance all day and all night long. The Coca-Cola® Stage lineup is always highly anticipated, and is headlined by a vast array of talent across many different genres.

Charlotte Cardin leads with three awards

24 first-time winners take home a coveted JUNO statuette

Special honours presented to Inuk singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark (Humanitarian Award Presented by Music Canada), the late Denise Jones (Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award) and Dallas Green (MusiCounts Inspired Minds Ambassador Award Presented by Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation)

This must be what Woodstock felt like.

Bluesfest in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

Bluesfest returned to Ottawa after a one-year hiatus under stormy, muddy conditions, as the weather fluctuated from nearly disastrous to merely glum. Two acoustic openers, Lauryn Macfarlane and Aysanabee, got things started under more mild weather. Then the show went electric with Tokyo Police Club and especially Half Moon Run, as the weather turned.

OTTAWA, (Canada) August 25, 2021 – RBC Bluesfest and CityFolk organizers today announced two major live music events that will take place during two weekends in September: RBC PRESENTS OTTAWA FALL FESTIVALS – RBC Bluesfest & CityFolk.

JUNOS 365 SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE – STARTING THIS FRIDAY, MAY 1

The five-part series features stories and performances from the homes of Canada’s top musicians and will be available every other Friday on CBC Gem and world-wide at cbcmusic.ca/junos

Co-hosted by CBC Music’s Amanda Parris, the evening will feature live performances by nominees Half Moon Run, Hunter Brothers, Irish Mythen with Catherine MacLellan and Miranda Mulholland, Riit and  2019/2020 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class artist, Aiza

Guests will be treated to the JUNO Culinary Experience supported by the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification Canada

Friday, January 31st saw Montreal indie-rockers Half Moon Run bring their ‘A Blemish in the Great Light’ World tour to TD Place in Ottawa.  Their 19-song set was a melange of music from their previous 2 albums along with their November 2019 release. Early in the eve, Devon Protielje exclaimed “This is a good place to be Ottawa” and indeed he was right. The night ebbed and flowed as they wove through the songs that shaped their set.  From the opening crescendo builds that bind “21 Gun Salute”, to the softer silken harmonies of “Need It”, to the formidably heavier moments in “She Wants To Know”, there was a particularly pleasing oscillation in intensity. This was amplified by the talents of a string quartet accompanying them, at times ethereally emerging from the shadows of the stage.

Notably, there were some non-music moments that had uplifting qualities that made the night even more memorable. Gratitude was expressed by the band to their fans, for this was their first headline arena show, and sold out no less. Also, the band recognized their tour manager, Doug, for he happily found out that day he was going to be a Dad. Also, the sheer glee in the face of a little tyke as he rose from the stands and giggled to the audience’s applause, after being acknowledged by the band for contributing his “cooing” to the intro of “Razorblade”.

After a standing ovation for the original 3-song encore, the band returned with an acoustic  gather ‘round one mic performance of “Sun Leads Me On”. A well chosen end to an indelible evening. Last Fall, Half Moon Run was nominated for a Juno award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year, an accolade last night’s performance underscored is so well deserved.

Opening the evening was Winnipeg-native Taylor Janzen. This young artist, guitar in hand, came to the stage with a story to tell and beautifully balanced voice to express it.  At 20 years old, this accomplished singer-songwriter has 2 critically acclaimed EPs under her belt, and her recent release “What I Do..” was recognized as a critical cut by SiriusXM.   Though the Ottawa show represented her last stop on this tour, after a brief sojourn Half Moon Run continues with European dates the end of February through March, before being back in Montreal for 2 sold out shows for a home-town crowd.

more photos from the show