In partnership with Summer Bash, Regina Folk Fest has tapped several local musicians and bands to hit the stage for a physically distanced, pandemic-approved series of drive-in concerts — including folk-rock singer-songwriter Megan Nash, who is definitely looking forward to performing again.
The weekend series of concerts will run from Aug. 14-16, with showtimes at 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. each day, welcoming audiences to enjoy live music for the first time in a long while.
Nash is set to headline on Aug. 15, joined by The Best of Intentions, which includes members of Regina band Bears in Hazenmore. Opening the show will be Bree & Brown, two members of the Regina indie-folk quartet Suncliff.
“I’m really impressed with the way it's set up and really looking forward to being able to perform safely for an audience,” said Nash. “I was over the moon [when Regina Folk Fest reached out] because this format is huge and there’s so much that goes into these shows, and I’m just really grateful to be a part of it."
Fellow headliners include Regina country artist Marshall Burns on Aug. 14, with Ava Wild opening his show, and Chilean rock band Andino Suns — who most recently performed a virtual concert at the Saskatchewan Festival of Words in Moose Jaw — on Aug. 16 with opener Davy Sage.
Nash is looking forward to hitting the stage once again, especially as the upcoming show is likely to be only live show she and her band get to play until next year at the earliest.
“This is a little bit bittersweet for me because this is probably our show of the year,” said Nash. “I’m saying that with optimism, because hopefully the world will be different next year, but with the reality of us going into fall, winter very soon, this is probably our last show of the year, which feels like our first show of the year.”
Safety concerns have been top of mind for Nash over the past few months, as she joined other performers in cancelling tours, recording schedules and live performances to help protect both fans and band members.
But Nash was in the midst of working on a new album this spring, which means she has some new music to debut at the upcoming show.
“I’m looking forward to being able to perform some of these brand new songs,” said Nash. “I’m so excited about them and this will actually be the first time, we have two brand new ones that we’ve never played for an audience yet.”
The concerts will take place at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina, located at 200 Lakeshore Drive, in the parking lot of the venue. The drive-in format of the concert series means that cars are required for attendees to enter the show and masks are strongly encouraged, as is proper physical distancing techniques.
Tickets are priced at $25 per car, regardless of how many people are present, and can be purchased either online from summerbash.ca in advance or at the door on the day of the show, provided there are any left available.
Regina Folk Fest announced the drive-in series shortly after cancelling this year’s festival, which was set to take place in Victoria Park from Aug. 6 to 8.
