Shaun Leblanc is among those performing at the Acoustica Concert Series
The lineup for the City of Moncton’s Acoustica summer concert series promises a wide array of musical styles and genres, and features both local favourites and up-and-coming artists from the region.
Among those scheduled to perform throughout July and August are Jim Blewett, legendary fiddlers Ivan & Vivian Hicks, local favourite Stephen LeBlanc, singer-songwriter Jared Lutes, country artist Francelle Maria, the Codiac Concert Band and Arsenault. The shows take place at Moncton’s Victoria Park and Moncton City Hall Plaza.
Throughout the summer, Acoustica will also showcase talent from the George LeBlanc Accordion Festival, the Codiac Music Festival, and the winners of the Accros de la chanson competition.
Shaun LeBlanc is a pop singer-songwriter. In May 2013, he released his debut album Kaleidoscope while this past September, the video for his song “Paradise” won the 10×10 Emerging Artist Award at the Atlantic Film Festival. This year marks the third time Shaun will perform in Acoustica and he couldn’t be more excited.
“These shows offer a great opportunity for local exposure,” LeBlanc says. “Even though I have been actively playing and touring for the last couple of years, I am still very aware that there are still a lot of Monctonians that have never heard of me.”
LeBlanc says the outdoor concert series fosters a summer-like vibe in the city but also makes for a fun way to spend your lunch hour or a part of your evening.
“I have yet to meet anyone that has not enjoyed these shows in the past,” he says. “I strongly encourage people to take the time to stroll downtown or through Victoria Park and catch some local musicians while they are at it.”
Xavier Leger, co-ordinator for the Codiac Music Festival says the importance and mutual benefits of a concert series like Acoustica cannot be underestimated:
“It is a great initiative by the City of Moncton for the public to discover new artists. But it also serves as a means to encourage more cultural activities in our community,” he says. “The Codiac Music Festival is excited about the prospect of partnering with the city to develop the importance of our respective events while also encouraging more people to participate.”
Moncton-based singer-songwriter Jared Lutes keeps a busy schedule. In addition to hosting a Storytellers series at Casino New Brunswick, Jared routinely spends his weekends travelling throughout the Maritimes to perform solo or with his band.