Folk Festival on the Canal delivers

With the sheer number of festivals that this city hosts the minute the mercury hits 30 C and we shed our clothes and our inhibitions, one would wonder if there's even a need or desire for one more. That question was clearly answered by the hundreds of folk-loving music lovers who, like myself, came early in the day to the beautiful venue by the Lachine Canal and stayed until the sun had set and the stars had come out.

The event, which ran like a well-oiled machine (surprising for a first-year festival) featured NDG musician Maica and the Suitors at 1 p.m., followed by Toronto's The Good Lovelies and Perhaps Because.

At around 3 p.m. Niagara folk rocker Scott Normandy (check out "Boston Flood" when you get a minute) came on to entertain a crowd that had already decided that it was 5 o'clock somewhere and was taking full advantage of the fact that the fest was taking place on the McAuslan brewery premises. Despite the abundance of beer, there was no denying the fest was a family affair. Organizers had made sure to include activities for the youngsters and many of the munchkins could be seen playfully making their way around the site throughout the day as their parents took in the music.

Former Wailin' Jenny, the sensational Annabelle Chvosteck came on afterwards and mesmerized everyone with her beautiful voice. Annabelle has just released a phenomenal solo album Resilience and will be playing Casa del Popolo on Friday, June 27 in support of her latest work. Catch her if you can.

Then it was time to turn up the heat as local bluegrass/folk/country groups, Lake of Stew and United Steel Workers of Montreal, came on. Lake of Stew is a collective of songwriters and instrumentalists who make up an old-timey folk/roots string-band known for its raucous unplugged sets and spirited harmony singing. Six-member band, the United Steel Workers of Montreal, have long built a reputation as one of the best live acts in the city and they certainly didn't disappoint. Felicity Hamer's sweet demeanor and honey-laced voice were the perfect juxtaposition to the rowdy banter and goings-on from the boys on stage. I dare you to sit still when the banjo, the mandolin and the old-time twang of bluegrass hit you.

NDG bluegrass band, Notre Dame de Grass kept the party going and by the time Rob Lutes came on stage, the stars were out, the mood was mellow and the NDG singer's soulful vocals and songwriting were the perfect ending to a perfect day. Guitarist Rob MacDonald was just as much a star as Lutes was, blowing away the crowd with his mad guitar skills.

Whoever says that Montreal doesn't have a viable acoustic folk live scene is simply not paying attention. The line-up at this very first Folk Fest on the Canal could blow the roof off any venue. It's just as a well it was an open-air event after all…

<@Ri>Hats off to Matt Large of Hello Darlin' Productions, Carl Comeau of Hyperbole Music and Dave Cool of the Centre Ste-Ambroise for putting together an incredible line-up of some of the best and brightest that Montreal (Niagara and Toronto thrown in there for good measure as well) has to offer in traditional roots, bluegrass and folk music. Here's hoping it's the first of many to come.<$p>