Peterborough Celebrates 27 Years of Folkin' Around with Yukon Blonde and Born Ruffians

Yukon Blonde folkin' things up at the 27th annual Peterborough Folk Fest.

This Saturday, my sister and I enjoyed a brief sojourn in the electric city of Peterborough for the 27th annual Folk Festival. After a surprisingly pleasant journey westward, we walked onto the festival grounds, tall boys in tow, and forthwith began to scope things out. Upon arrival, one thing was blatantly obvious: these Peterborough folk had little regard for superfluous bullshit. Food, vendors, merch, even hoops...but not a charging station, selfie booth or glow-in-the-dark Sharpie to be seen. I knew immediately that these people got me.

The vibes were good, and the weather was stellar, with the only shade being cast by the surrounding flora. After having way too much fun with the aforementioned hoops, we made our way down the hill to the main stage, where we were treated to the tender sounds of Tim Moxam. Hailing from The Big Smoke, Moxam, describes himself as somewhere ‘between country-rock and folk,’ playing a short and sweet set before Yukon Blonde took the stage.

“We’re glad that you guys enjoyed sitting to listen to Tim Moxam, but we’re a whole different thing,” said Yukon Blonde’s lead vocalist, Jeffrey Innes. “Let’s see you get up and dance,” he said, kicking things off with a selection of songs off their latest album On Blonde. And just like that, the crowd abided, simultaneously finding their feet. The ultra-synthy Confused gave the crowd a second wind after a folkin’ chill few preceding sets.

While the kids played an ample variety of tunes off of On Blonde, they didn’t abandon their older stuff, peppering in tracks such as Radio and Stairway into the set while the crowd sang along with childlike zeal. Getting into it mid-set, the band delighted with a big, fat disco beat, playing the uber-dreamy, Make You Mine. Another one that really brought the boogie was crowd fave, Saturday Night...appropriate considering it was, well...Saturday night.

Winding down with the feelsy Wind Blows, off their 2010 self-titled album, the trajectory toward On Blonde tracks like Como become slightly clearer. Synthier, definitely. Surfier, maybe. Better? That's up to personal opinion. Sounds evolve, man.

Next to grace the stage was Toronto’s own, Born Ruffians. With a sound somewhere between 60s surf and post-punk, the guys kept the energy high through their extensive set. “Sometimes I get tired,” said Born Ruffians bass player, Mitch Derosier. “But then I remember there’s a guy doing the exact same thing with terminal brain cancer and I’m okay.” The subtle nod to Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip’s final show, just a stone’s throw away in Kingston was applauded with vivacity.

The band had everyone on their feet when they played the uber-sassy, ever-sexy, Oh Cecilia. Wrapping up the evening with Needle, Luke Lalonde (vocals) sang us a song of true angelic proportions. For their encore, the dudes welcomed Jeff back on stage to inject some tasty tambo into the boys’ cynical track, I Need a Life.

Nothing short of chill and enjoyable, Peterborough Folk Fest was well worth the drive. Freebie festivals are always appreciated in my books, but man, oh man, what a lineup! Sunday’s lineup included Craig Cardiff, Royal Wood, and Dan Mangan, as Peterborough kept the party going.

Until next time, stay groovy.
-A