Where: Halifax, N.S.
When: August 24-31
What it is: Halifax Urban Folk Festival is here once again. By this point, most of the major summer music festivals are done, wristband tans from festival bracelets are wearing off and your friends have run out of #throwbackthursday festival pictures to post on Instagram to remind you that they really did go to Osheaga and had fun. This year marks the fifth annual Halifax Urban Folk Festival (HUFF), a week long singer-songwriter festival that takes place at the Carleton and other venues nearby. The Carleton’s owner Mike Campbell always brings in a mix of legendary singer-songwriters and up-and-comers.
Eats and sleeps: The central venue for HUFF is the Carleton Music Bar & Grill, so it’s a no-brainer to grab a bite to eat there. A pile of frites and a local beer are a perfect combo to enjoy during a show. HUFF venue Economy Shoe Shop has the best nachos in the city, according to The Coast. While it may not be as cheap as a hostel, the Delta offers a discount to festival goers and is home of venue Tempo.
What to wear: All the venues are inside so there is no need to fear a cool and foggy Halifax summer night.
Headliners: David Pirner (Soul Asylum), Steve Poltz, Garland Jeffreys, Joel Plaskett, Doug Paisley
Mix Picks: P.E.I.’s Catherine MacLellan is one of Canada’s best kept secrets. Her new album The Raven’s Sun came out last week so she’ll have lots of new and fresh material to play. MacLellan plays the Carleton on Tuesday, August 26.
Rachel Sunter recently played her last show with Halifax band SoHo Ghetto but remains busy with her new project Arsoniste. For her HUFF show the piano synth-pop duo will play songs from her debut EP Where There Is Dark, which comes out this winter. Arsoniste plays Tempo on Saturday, August 30.
Mix Tips: The Economy Shoe Shop, The Loose Cannon and Tempo all host free shows during HUFF making new music discovery affordable.
Photo of Catherine MacLellan: Supplied/John Sylvester