Kat Harlton
Cavendish Beach Music Festival (CBMF), presented by Bell is making a triumphant return this summer. The festival is back with main stage headliners Luke Combs on Thursday, July 7th, Darius Rucker on Friday, July 8th, and Dustin Lynch on Saturday, July 9th.
The Colliding Tides Kitchen Stage will also kick off on Thursday, July 7th and run until Saturday, July 9th, with an incredible array of talent including Witchitaw.
Cavendish Beach Music Festival has quickly grown to become Atlantic Canada’s largest multi-day outdoor music festival. Located in the picturesque coastal resort community of Cavendish, P.E.I, Cavendish is turned into the hottest, most star-studded spot in the region every July, attracting over 60,000 country music fans each year. Past festival performers have included Eric Church, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Brett Eldredge, Lady Antebellum, and country legends Ricky Skaggs, Alabama, Reba, and pop sensation Shawn Mendes.
I had the opportunity to speak with Witchitaw one of the Colliding Tides Kitchen Stage performers about what festival attendees can expect from their performance, tips for first time festival goers + more!
Kat: What does performing at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival mean to you?
Witchitaw: It’s a huge accomplishment to be included in the line-up for the biggest Country Music Festival in Eastern Canada. Cavy has been very special to us over the last number of years. 2022 marks our 6th appearance at the festival. The festival certainly has and continues to be a huge career highlight for us!
Kat: Can you give us any hints about what festival goers can expect from your performance this year?
Witchitaw: Festival goers will hear the kind of music and see the kind of show Witchitaw has come to be known for on the east coast… high energy, audience participation, showmanship and passion – all of which promises an epic stage show that the Cavy fans deserve!
Kat: Can you share with us a little about what goes into your preparation for a performance at a music festival this large?
Witchitaw: We first develop a set list that fits within the parameters of our set time. We add additional rehearsal time to prepare the set list (song order, transitions between songs etc) to make sure the show is rockin’ for the Cavy fans. We treat it like we are preparing to play in the Stanley Cup because in music circles, that’s what Cavy represents to us!
Kat: What do you enjoy most about music festivals, aside from performing?
Witchitaw: We really enjoy the energy! Festivals have an energy about them that is hard to explain. It’s like capturing lighting in a bottle for three days! It really is something special.
Kat: Do you have any wisdom or tips for a first time festival goer?
Witchitaw: Take in as many acts as possible – the eclectic artists that have been assembled make this a special festival. This festival, like no other, allows artists to get up close and personal with fans. Take in the meet and greets, head to the merch tent after an artist’s set and you will more than likely get a chance to get a pic or grab an autograph! Get lots of rest before the fest – drink lots of water and make a ton of memories. Sing along and cheer as loud as you can – your energy will make every artist give you everything they got while they are up there on that stage – making a concert memory that will last a lifetime.
Kat: What are your plans for the rest of 2022? More live performances? Any new music?
Witchitaw: We have a full summer planned with appearances at festivals, theaters and casinos throughout Atlantic Canada. Our new single, “Bocephus” will be released in early July to Canada Country Radio. We are also putting the finishing touches on a new EP that should be released in the fall. There’s never really any down time in the ole Witchitaw camp.
Twitter: @witchitaw
Facebook: /wildnbulletproof
Instagram: @wildnbulletproof
Website: http://www.witchitaw.com
Twitter: @CavendishFest
Facebook: /CavendishBeachMusic
Instagram: @cavendishbeachmusic
Website: https://cavendishbeachmusic.com