Barrie’s Troubadour Festival ready to light up the night on Saturday

Barrie' third Troubadour Festival ready to light up the night in just a few days time.

Not even the rain could dampen spirits at the last edition of the Troubadour Festival Summer Concert Series, headlined by The 99s.

The festival returns to Meridian Place on Saturday, headlined by Hawksley Workman. An emerging artist showcase will also set the stage for the multi-Juno award winner.

At just 17 years old, Tia Nova is one of Barrie’s youngest emerging artists, ready to light up the stage with her pop-rock sound.

• Troubadour Festival Summer Concert Series

“That’s where I’ve grown up, and I’ve been working so hard doing smaller gigs,” said Nova. “So, to jump right onto the Meridian stage, that’s pretty big for me, and I can’t wait to show Barrie what I’ve got.”

Nova added she is ready to inspire the next generation of musicians.

“My message to anyone younger than me or my age or at any age is to just do what you do, do what you love,” said Nova. Success is truly doing something that you feel passionate about, and you will feel successful reaching your goals.”

Smokey and the Bones will then follow Nova with their genre of music.

Logan Schmidt is the lead vocalist and plays the guitar and said the band can’t wait for the opportunity to engage with the crowd.

“I like to keep everyone on their toes, including our own band, so we’re going to try not always to have a clear direction of where the music’s going and sort of leave it up to interpretation,” said Schmidt. “Where you can share the moment with the crowd and everyone can sort of be present at the moment.”

Setting the stage for Ritch Mitchell and his band, ready to keep the crowd rocking with a mix of genres all in one show.

“We have a lot of high-energy songs that are a mix between kind of pop punk, country, and rock. We’re doing some stuff, some musical genres that people don’t normally associate,” said Mitchell. “They go hand in hand together, so a lot of high-energy, hooky, catchy, feel-good music.”

Mitchell has taken time off from his full-time job, pursuing music in the process.

“I’ve been off the job for about three years now with some PTSD and mental health problems, and I am writing about my life,” said Mitchell. “I’m writing about hope. I’m writing about the ability to overcome the odds, so I hope that somebody comes out, hears the music, and says, “You know, I’ve been in that situation, or I’m in that situation. You know, there is hope out there, and things will get better.”

Finishing off the night will be Hawksley Workman and his band. Workman is a multiple Juno Award winner and has released more than 15 albums.

Workman said fans can expect some classic songs of his style of writing.

“They’re a little bit kooky, but still pretty straightforward. I mean, I have a wide vocal range and I like to sing really high, I like to sing really low,” said Workman. “The lyrics are a bit absurd, a bit kooky. Some are a bit serious.”

Offering timeless advice for musicians and artists just finding their feet.

“At the end of the day, you’re going to be able to sell the idea of yourself, your feelings, your instincts for songwriting and performance, that stuff, and if it can come from you in an authentic way, there’s just absolutely no denying it,” said Workman.

Eats on the Streets will take over Open Air Dunlop starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug., 16, with the local opener showcase beginning at 6 p.m.