East Coast Music Week is just around the corner, and Halifax, Nova Scotia is getting ready to welcome musicians, industry professionals, and music lovers to this part of the nation. This five-day festival will take place from May 3 to May 7, 2023, including the highly anticipated East Coast Music Awards ceremony on May 4th. The lineup for the awards show is impressive, with Adam Baldwin, Aquakultre, City Natives, Deantha Edmunds, Dylan Menzie, Fortunate Ones, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire, Jah’Mila, Kellie Loder, Madison Violet, Natalie MacMaster, and Neon Dreams set to perform. The East Coast Music Week is more than just an awards show, though. It’s a celebration of East Coast music and culture, and it showcases a diverse range of genres, from folk and country to rock and hip hop. As a music enthusiast, I am excited to be covering some of the events and sharing my experiences with readers. With so many talented artists on the lineup, it can be tough to decide who to focus on. Here are three artists/bands that I am particularly excited to see and write about during East Coast Music Week.
Paragon Cause
Paragon Cause is an electronic-rock duo composed of Michelle Opthof and Jay Bonaparte. Originally from Halifax, the duo currently resides in Ottawa, where they have established themselves as one of the most promising acts in the Canadian indie music scene. Paragon Cause’s music is characterized by haunting melodies, lush soundscapes, and intricate rhythms that seamlessly blend elements of rock, pop, and electronic music. Their live shows are a true experience, with their hypnotic performances and captivating visuals that create a unique atmosphere. Paragon Cause is set to perform at the Saturday Night Pop Stage at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel on May 6th, where they will share the stage with XIA-3, Keeper E., Ife Alaba, and Rich Aucoin.
Andre Pettipas & The Giants
Andre Pettipas & The Giants are a band that I have personally followed for years, and I am excited to see them perform at the East Coast Music Week. Hailing from the small town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, the band has made a name for themselves in the East Coast music scene with their high-energy rock music. The band consists of lead singer and guitarist Andre Pettipas, bassist Travis Pettipas, drummer Mark Cosh, and guitarist John MacDonald. They have been playing together since their teenage years and have since shared the stage with well-known artists like Big Wreck and The Trews. The band currently resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and will be performing at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel on May 6th, as part of the Saturday afternoon lineup. They will share the stage with other talented musicians such as Andrew Waite, Reeny Smith, Nick Earle, and One8tea, making it a show not to be missed.
June Body
June Body is a band that is making waves in the East Coast music scene with its unique blend of indie rock and post-punk. The band consists of lead singer and guitarist Connor James, drummer Matt Schofield, and bassist and backing vocals Alexander Callaghan. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the band has become a favourite among music enthusiasts in the region. June Body is set to perform at Gus’ Pub and Grill on May 5th, as part of the Friday night Alternative Stage. They will share the stage with other talented artists such as Swimming, No, It’s Fine, and Century Egg, making it a night of great music and awesome performances. I’m going to leave you with this great acoustic version of their song, “Flickering”.
For all details of the East Coast Music Week, be sure to check out the website at ECMA.com.
