Few events in Canada are as anticipated as the annual George Street Festival. In its 34 year, the now week long celebration of music and entertainment has captivated and enthralled thousands of fans, both local and across the globe.
Kicking off the festivities on Thursday, July 26th are the internationally renowned 
Canadian rock legends Our Lady Peace. But first, the Rock the Block competition sees six local bands vie for the opening slot of the festival, ahead of the platinum selling chart-toppers known for such hits as Clumsy, Superman’s Dead, Somewhere Out There, and Innocent.
On Friday, July 27, the George Street main stage ushers the return of a familiar group of Canadian classic rock icons. Trooper, known for their series of hits in the 70s and 80s including Raise A Little Hell and Here For A Good Time, will have fans up and dancing when they return to the street they have made their own countless times throughout the years.
Kitchen Party
Saturday, as all fans of the festival know, is reserved for the biggest Kitchen Party on the island. This year the big ol’ come down holds particular significance, as it features the triumphant return to the stage of local legends Sons of Erin.
Sons of Erin will headline the night alongside Celtic Fiddlers, Brandon Pardy Band, St. Pat’s Dancers, Luke Mercer, Conway, Derina Harvey Band and local favourites Masterless Men.
Sunday July 29 turns up the volume with a pair of Juno winning hip hop stars for the Canadian Hip Hop Turn Up. Atlantic Canada’s own Classified graces the stage alongside the one and only Kardinal Offishall, bringing the hit tunes you can hear every day on OZFM to the biggest little street in North America.
Inner Ninja
A native of Enfield, Nova Scotia, Classified is a multi-time Much Music Video Award and Juno Award winner, with classic tracks including Inner Ninja and That Ain’t Classy making him a household name across his native country.
Kardinal Offishall holds the same status. Known for his reggae and dancehall themed style, Offishall is one of Canada’s more renowned producers. He previously banked Juno awards in 1999, 2000, 2009 and 2014.
On Monday July 30th, the modern rockers Arkells, fresh off a sold out arena engagement in their hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, will headline night five of the festival alongside Vancouver’s Juno winning electronic rock duo Dear Rogue, and local pop rockers Fairgale.
Arkells are hot on the heels of their 2016 album Morning Report, which charted at number three in Canada, and produced the top five hits, Private School, My Heart’s Always Yours, Knocking at the Door and People’s Champ.
Newfoundland’s own Shanneyganock handle the high honour of headlining the Regatta Roulette on George Street on July 31. The trad mainstays, who last year released their acclaimed studio record Home In My Harbour, perform alongside local upstarts Rum Ragged, who themselves are on the final stretch towards their anticipated new album. This is sure to be the night to ready the dancin’ shoes for a good scuff and sing-along of patriotic proportions.
Get Ready to Rock
Closing out the week long run of amazing music and entertainment are a pair of high octane Canadian rockers. Finger Eleven and I Mother Earth are teaming up for what just might be the heaviest of all the performances on the George Street stage.
Finger Eleven are perhaps best known for their breakthrough self-titled album in 2003, that produced the massive crossover hit One Thing. Their followup record Them vs You vs Me, produced their unquestioned biggest success, Paralyzer.
I Mother Earth have reunited with original frontman Edwin and are now touring in support of the anniversary of their double platinum sophomore record, Scenery and Fish, known for the massive radio rock staples One More Astronaut, Another Sunday and Used To Be Alright.
Tickets for the 34 TH annual George Street Festival are available at georgestreetliveca and at select Orange Stores province-wide. For more information visit the aforementioned website.