Grand Bend Summer Sunset Sounds Concert Series returns with eight shows

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Grand Bend Summer Sunset Sounds Concert Series returns with eight

The Grand Bend Summer Sunset Sounds Concert Series is returning to the shores of Lake Huron with a full schedule this summer.

Due to COVID-19, last year’s schedule was limited to four shows while the previous year’s was cancelled. But this year’s return to a full schedule features eight nights of concerts, 15 bands and 70 musicians at the Grand Bend Rotary Stage at the beach, said Glen Baillie of Summer Sunset Sounds.

Admission is by donation, and attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair. Shows start at 7 pm

The concert series kicks off Monday, July 4 with the Shewolves of London, a female supergroup featuring Cheryl Lescom, Sarah Smith, Chuckee Zehr, Dale Anne Brendon and Ricki-Lee Houle. Smith and Zehr have both performed at the concert series in the past.

The remainder of the shows take place Sundays. They include:

  • July 10, The Mackenzie Blues Band with special guest CJ Lee;
  • July 17, Americana and roots rockers The Redhill Valleys with special guest singer-songwriter Deni Gauthier;
  • July 24, blues, jazz, soul, R&B singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Angelique Francis with special guest singer-songwriter Carly Thomas;
  • 7, Celtic rockers The Mudmen return with special guests Brothers Wilde, a country duo;
  • 14 features local talent Lyndon John X, a Juno-award winning musician from Brussels, and special guest Holly Clausius, a singer-songwriter who grew up in Exeter;
  • 21 features Canadian folk legend Valdy with special guest The Wanted;
  • 28, the series wraps up with Celtic band Steel City Rovers with special guest Twin-Fin, a blues, rockabilly, swing and jazz group.

Baillie said it’s important to offer a variety of music styles during the concert series, and he said organizers have been working hard to get all the artists booked who were scheduled to play two years ago before the pandemic, while also adding in some new performers.

Concerts are free due to local sponsorships, and Baillie noted the shows have always received strong support from the business community, as well as concert goers, who give donations.

“Everybody’s really happy. They look forward to it,” Baillie said of the annual series. “It’s really fundamentally changed the nature of the community in the summer.”

He added, “It’s important, I think, that we establish the area as an arts community with live entertainment.”

With the schedule set, organizers are now hoping the weather co-operates.

For more information visit summersunsetsounds.ca.

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