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Juno-nominated Ontario musician Terra Lightfoot is in Edmonton to close the festival but also collaborates with local artists
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When Terra Lightfoot played Taste of Edmonton for the first time in 2015 it was opening for iconic rocker Kim Mitchell.
Now the Ontario-based singer-songwriter is back at the outdoor festival as a headliner, bringing along a full crew of musicians for her Saturday evening slot on July 29.
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“We just got a keyboard player after many years without one,” the Juno-nominated Lightfoot says. “We’ve been doing the rock trio thing for awhile and now we have this new guy who’s actually from my hometown. He’s just fantastic, so I’m excited to show him off.”
Over four albums Lightfoot has developed a distinct style, grabbing casually from country, folk, soul, blues and rock. On her last album, 2020’s Consider the Speed, she went to the source, recording with Grammy-winning producer Jay Newland and a group of soul-blues session veterans at Royal Studios in Memphis and singing into the microphone that Al Green used for his greatest hits. Heavy historical connections to be sure, but you can still hear Lightfoot’s personality shining throughout.
Lightfoot has connections in Edmonton as well, so she’ll likely be the centre of attention for a number of local artists when she hits the stage at 9 p.m. July 29 in Churchill Square. Back in 2019, she produced Ayla Brook & the Soundmen’s album Desolation Sounds, and just last week she was in the river valley for both a photo shoot and a couple of videos by local multi-talent Lyle Bell. It’s all in service of her newest album, which Lightfoot says will drop in October.
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“I can’t share the exact date yet, or what the album is called, but it’s ready to go” she confirms. “We’re playing some of those songs now and getting them out in our live show, just to start rehearsing for our fall tour. So that’s kind of exciting.”
For the currently untitled new album, Lightfoot enlisted the services of producer Gus van Go, who she worked with on 2014’s Every Time My Mind Runs Wild and its followup, 2017’s New Mistakes.
“It’s just a logical progression of where it was always gonna go,” Lightfoot says. “It’s still a guitar record, and there’s definitely a foray into more rock and pop kind of stuff. It’s been great going back with Gus — it’s as if we took a break for five years, came back to each other and went, ‘Wow, we’re still buds.’”
Loaded concert lineup
Lightfoot is part of a contingent of out-of-town performers playing Churchill Square through the next week and a half, but Taste of Edmonton is staying true to the name by offering a heavy representation of local music as well as food. It all kicks off at 5 p.m. on Thursday night with a set by students of Resonate Music School and Studio, and ends with Lightfoot a week and a half later on the last Saturday of July. Here are a few local and provincial acts you might want to catch in between, with a full listing of performers here.
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If you can’t make it to this year’s Folk Fest you can still hear the luminous soul, gospel and roots sounds of AV & the Inner City on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Named as YYCMA Solo Artist of the Year in 2022, Calgary’s ZENON has reconfigured into duo formation as ZENON+, where she’s been making something of a splash in Calgary with the addition of percussionist Bev. The two will be playing their original alt-R&B music at 6 p.m. on Friday. GoDiva, Tequila Mockingbird, Pepper and Melinda Verga will be among the drag divas participating as part of Legends of Drag on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Traditional song and dance from Desi Arts of Alberta light up the stage Sunday at 4:30 p.m., while The Ramifications deliver pop, rock, funk, soul and hip-hop covers Monday at 8 p.m. Looking for a little twang? The Denim Daddies cover that and more on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Gord Steinke and The Big Stein Band caps off Wednesday night with a headlining performance at 9:30 p.m., followed by a Thursday bill that starts with Edmonton rapper Cab’Ral at 4:30 p.m. and ends with The Sadies at 9 p.m. If you’re used to seeing him sell out the Winspear you’ll be pleased to catch singer-songwriter Martin Kerr topping the bill on Friday night at 9 p.m.
Food vendors will continue offering their wares until Sunday, but the musical festivities end on Saturday, July 29 as up-and-coming rapper Ntwali Kayijaho performs at 4:30 p.m., with Terra Lightfoot closing the Taste of Edmonton curtain for this summer with a 9 p.m. performance.
PREVIEW
Taste of Edmonton
When July 20-30.
Where Churchill Square
Cost Free admission, food tickets are separate and available in advance from tasteofedm.ca
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