Festival-goers can expect the town to turn into a bustling hub of blues.

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Mark Brownlee

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With The Eagles and Elton John expected to roll through town this summer, music lovers in the Moncton region will certainly get their fill of big name acts. Organizers of the Shediac Blues Festival, however, are setting out to accomplish something entirely different.

From August 1 - 3, Shediac residents expect the festival will turn their town into a bustling hub for the blues. They're offering blues lovers from at home and abroad the chance to see some local, regional, and national talent in an intimate and open setting.

With high ticket prices and large crowds expected for some of the bigger name acts coming to town, Blues Festival organizers believe their event will be an integral part of what's an excellent lineup of musical talent appearing in the Moncton region this summer.

Festival organizer Bill Vance says the event is supposed to be very affordable, very open, and a whole lot of fun.

"We don't necessarily want to be the biggest or the flashiest but I think the Shediac Blues 2008 Festival reflects the organizers' love of a good time and laid-back approach to life," says Bill.

This was the attitude that initially got people involved with the festival last year. Organizers started the event with a series of free concerts in Shediac and a five-artist showcase at Parlee Beach. "We got started late, but ended up having a ton of fun and pulled off a very successful Blues lineup," says Bill.

If the event's first year was a success, then attendees should expect no less this year. With six artists performing over the course of three days, the festival has a very high-quality lineup on offer in what many residents believe is a great setting.

"People who love the blues, and music lovers in general don't mind travelling a bit to get to the good stuff," says Bill. "They won't be disappointed in Shediac this year."

Bill believes the combination of the great lineup of blues music, the affordable and accommodating atmosphere, and the setting Shediac provides will entice people to come not only from the Moncton area for the event, but also Saint John and what Bill describes as "the well-known blues loving city of Fredericton."

As part of what will be a unique contribution to the summer concert series in the Moncton area, organizers are trying to make their event as accessible as possible. That's why organizers have planned three free concerts as part of this year's festival that will take place Friday and Saturday evening and again on Sunday afternoon.

Performing on Saturday evening as part of one of the free events that the festival has on offer will be one of Fredericton's up-and-coming blues stars in Keith Hallett. He's a CBC "Rising Star" award winner, and is known for his unique "funky, finger picking style."

Keith performed at the festival last year and felt as though he fit right in with atmosphere the festival provided.

"Everyone was really helpful and everyone seemed really into what was happening," he says. "There were a lot of really supportive people around the festival. It made it all that much better for the musicians."

Keith is really looking forward to performing at the festival again this year, as he believes the blues atmosphere in Shediac is as good as anywhere else in the Maritimes.

"Playing anywhere that's really receptive is good for the performers," he says.

As an up-and-coming artist, Keith believes he's got some new musical elements to offer the crowd this year, including some new tunes, a new sound, and a new bass player.

"Adding a different bass player adds a different twist to things. It's picked up a lot from last year. I've got some new tunes and some new grooves," says Keith.

Also performing as part of the free concert series will be DC Smith and the Streamliners, who combine a number of traditional blues styles with some down-home East Coast blues, and Deja Blues, the work of New Brunswick's most award-winning electric guitarist Travis Furlong, who plays a number of crowd-pleasing blues classics.

Once people make their way to Shediac to enjoy some of the free concerts, they'll want to stay for the remainder of the festival. "Blues Night" will take place in Downtown Shediac at the festival tent on Sunday evening.

The Juno-nominated Twisters will kick off the evening with their "jump-blues" style, followed by Matt Andersen, who has made a mark on audiences throughout North America and Europe.

Closing the evening will be Fredericton's own Downtown Blues Band, a ten-piece group with a full horn section. "At last year's showcase they had the entire crowd on their feet for a full set," says Bill. "This year, they're playing two sets so people should be prepared to groove the night away."

At just $10 to get in at the door, "Blues Night" provides even more reason for audiences to stay in Shediac after enjoying some blues music throughout the weekend in Shediac.

"More than anything else, I think Shediac Blues 2008 will stand out because of it's low price and very high quality artist line-up," says Bill. "When compared to the cost of other concerts, this one is incredibly affordable."Just ask Greg Fash. He lives in Shediac and attended the Blues Festival last year.

"Last year's Blues Fest was simply a great Maritime party that just happened to feature a diverse group of outstanding musicians," says Greg. "We really enjoyed hearing the different genres of blues, jazz and fusion styles."Even though Greg plans on attending some of the bigger concerts in the Moncton area this summer, this certainly isn't going to stop him from attending the Blues festival in Shediac.

"I love big concerts and will be at the Eagles, but what sets the Shediac event apart is the smaller venue so that you can enjoy the music and be close to the musicians," says Greg.

The Shediac Blues Festival, with its exciting lineup and accessible atmosphere, will offer something for everyone.

"The Blues can be very laid-back and relaxed or very upbeat and energetic, even danceable," Bill says. "I think this fits in very well with the vibe in Shediac during the summer months."