Dean Brody promises ‘all hits, no misses’ at Barrie’s highly-anticipated Troubadour Festival

Canadian Country Music Award winner Dean Brody shares exclusives details with CTV News Barrie ahead of the highly-anticipated Troubadour Festival concert.

Live music is echoing through the downtown core Saturday as the Troubadour Festival Summer Concert Series kicks off at Meridian Place, with Canadian country music star Dean Brody set to headline the evening.

“Feels great. It’s a little bit of a fishbowl, which we don’t do often, but we love that,” Brody told CTV News. “We’re going to be right in the middle of it tonight (Saturday). I look forward to it.”

Brody says the intimate setup in the heart of the city brings a special energy to the performance.

“It’s more immersive for us. Normally, we’re on a stage and everyone else is in front, there’s a big barrier. But something like this, where everyone’s around you, it’s a lot more immersive,” he continued.

As for the setlist, fans can expect a string of familiar hits.

“We pick the songs that will make people the least amount angry,” Brody joked. “It’s all hits. We’re fortunate enough now that we can do a lot of shows and we have to cut some songs.”

Crowds have already started gathering as local openers Lance Dobinson, Rebekah Hawker, and Cam Brown get ready to take the stage in the hours leading up to Brody’s 8:30 p.m. performance.

“Upcoming artists are the future. I remember when my local station played my stuff for the first time, I was over the moon,” Brody said.

When the time comes, Brody’s unmistakable sound with hits like Canadian Summer, Bring Down the House, and Where’d You Learn to Do That? will flood the waterfront.

“We are making memories together downtown. It’s awesome.” Brody shared with CTV News Barrie in an exclusive interview.

Admission is free, and the event is presented by CTV Barrie, Pure Country 106, BOUNCE 104.1, and the Downtown Barrie BIA, marking the return of summer music to the city.

A free shuttle service is making it easier for fans to get downtown, with stops between the Allandale GO Station and the core.

With clear skies, excited fans, and a Canadian country legend, downtown Barrie is buzzing.