Barrie’s Troubadour Festival brings unforgettable talent to downtown core

The Troubadour Festival Summer Concert Series was back, and the emerging artist showcase proved the weather wasn’t the only source of heat downtown.

The Troubadour Festival Summer Concert Series was back this weekend, and the emerging artist showcase proved the weather wasn’t the only source of heat downtown.

17-year-old local sensation Tia Nova and her band kicked things off and kept the momentum rolling through her set. Nova said she appreciated the crowd getting on their feet for her.

“The crowd reacting and feeding off it definitely has, like, a lot of impact on how much energy I put into it on the stage,” said Nova. “I see some fans with my name in the crowd, and that was really fun, but really, performing for me is just something I’m really passionate about.”

Smokey and the Bones keep things moving with their style of rock music. Lead singer Logan Schmidt could not believe how great the crowd was.

“Great audience, like everyone from Barrie is so great and coming out to support local music at the Troubadour; it is special that we have this event here where we can see local bands and other great big bands from Canada also,” said Schmidt.

Ritch Mitchell and his band are telling his personal story through his music.

“That’s the goal of the music right now: writing about hope,” said Mitchell. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs in my life, and I’ve hit rock bottom, maybe lower, and when you connect with somebody and you allow them to take that experience with them, it means a whole lot.”

Hawksley Workman was the featured artist and spent most of the night listening in the audience, giving high praise to the talent Barrie has to offer.

Everybody I heard was unbelievable,” said Workman. “I even saw some kids there. And I could probably push that kid, put him in my band; there’s some real hot shots, some good work being done.”

The Juno Award winner sang the night away with the crowd.

“I’m a lucky guy. It’s a real blessing to do this, and it’s a blessing to be able to share the stage with this,” said Workman. “They’re local people, and they’re still, like, extremely talented, and everybody I’ve met in all these bands like the camaraderie backstage.”

The last edition of the Troubadour Festival this summer will take place Sept., 6 with another local artist showcase featuring Dayna Reid before country music star Brett Kissel takes the stage with his dynamic presence.