After 3 perfect days, the CityFolk Saturday is shaping up to be another one for the ages, with some punk legends sharing the spotlight with an eclectic side stage that should have something for every music fan.
Saturday, September 13
TD Stage:
6:00 pm – Catbite
7:20 pm – Dropkick Murphys
8:50 pm – The Pogues
A triple bill of punk takes on the main stage tonight, representing a few different subgenres of the scene.
Any time you can kick off a punk night with some ska, you know you’re off to a great start. While Philadelphia may not be a hotbed for that sound, you could easily mistake Catbite for an Orange County band. Considering guitarist Tim Hildebrand was once The Interrupters driver, it’s no surprise that their influence is quite strong. Adding to their punk pedigree, they’ve also played Operation Ivy covers, with Against Me’s Laura Jane Grace helping out. Not satisfied with sticking to ska, Catbite re-recorded their 2019 debut self-titled album as a purely punk edition called Catfite, as well as a country/rockabilly edition called Catlite. Despite these forays into other genres, if there was any doubt about their ska dedication, May’s EP Doom Garden should quell any fears that they’ve forgotten their core. Even if a Fall Out Boy makes an appearance on it.
The flagbearers for Celtic punk, Massachusetts’ Dropkick Murphys will have the entire crowd dancing and jigging as they roar their way through a sampling from their 13 albums released over the past three decades. Their dominant single “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” has become their trademark, and been used in movies, TV, sporting events, and anywhere else when someone needs to rile up a crowd. But they’re far from one hit wonders. They helped create a genre that proves you can be punk while also having bagpipes and a tin whistle in your band. In fact, you can argue it makes it even more punk.
If the Massachusetts guys weren’t ‘Celtic’ enough for you, how about a band straight from the UK? The Pogues should be celebrated as one of the key artists that founded Celtic punk, and having them return to Ottawa for the first time since a stop at Barrymore’s almost four decades ago will be bittersweet for most in attendance, as singer Shane MacGowan sadly passed away in 2023. Despite the loss of their frontman, the remaining trio of founding members have forged on with a short reunion tour, supporting the 40th anniversary of their epic Rum, Sodomy & the Lash album, as well as a re-release of their EP The Irish Rover, which fittingly dropped on St. Patrick’s Day this year. Their set will serve as a fitting wake for fans to party in the memory of McGowan, and offer up one more toast.
FASKEN Stage:
5:30 pm – Loviet
6:30 pm – Celeigh Cardinal
7:45 pm – Hurray for the Riff Raff
In contrast to the punk on the main stage, the FASKEN stage lineup features a trio of women from three very different genres.
Kicking off the evening is Nova Scotia’s Loviet. With a blend of indie pop rock, she’s continued her evolution as an artist since her set at Bluesfest in 2023, and fans can hope that she’ll debut some of the new material from her forthcoming album Stiffy, releasing next week. Early previews hint at more emphasis on the rock side of her sound, leaning more into alt pop, which suits her voice, while showcasing her heartfelt lyrics. Definitely one to keep an eye on when new music drops next Friday.
Taking the sound in a different direction, Edmonton’s Celeigh Cardinal meanders through a variety of genres in her repertoire, with the common thread being her powerful soulful voice. Whether on her own bluesy tracks like “The Devil is a Blue-Eyed Man” or blowing away covers of classics like Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and Aerosmith’s “Cryin’,” it’s no surprise she’s garnered plenty of attention, and awards, including a Juno in 2020. Even when she ventures into dance on “Wrong Love,” her sultry voice brings a welcomed warmth to the song.
Speaking of mixing genres, closing the lineup tonight is Hurray for the Riff Raff. Their contemporary take on Americana folds in a raft of influences to create a take on traditional all their own. Singer Alynda Segarra’s distinctive voice manages to tie all these strands together and make it all fit seamlessly despite the disparity of styles. From the country-heavy album The Past Is Still Alive to the alt pop rock of the previous album Life On Earth, they truly embody the modern troubadour in every sense.
CityFolk takes place on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park September 10 to 14. Keep an eye on apt613.ca for daily coverage and photos!
