Area 506 Festival Announces 2019 Lineup
SAINT JOHN– Area 506, the music festival celebrating all things New Brunswick, has announced the lineup for its 2019 event, taking place Aug. 2 to Aug, 4 at Long Wharf in Saint John.
The Friday, Aug. 2 lineup will feature Joel Plaskett Emergency, Wintersleep, FM Berlin, and The Backstays. Saturday’s Main Stage lineup will see Interpol, Matthew Good, Dear Rouge, The Motorleague, Christina Martin, Jamie Comeau & the Crooked Teeth, and Kylie Fox taking the stage.
The festival will close that Sunday with City and Colour, Tokyo Police Club, Rural Alberta Advantage, The Galpines, Les Paiens, Bleum, and The Crossroad Devils.
Ray Gracewood, chairman of the Area 506 committee, said the lineup isn’t the only thing exciting at this year’s festival. For the first time, Area 506 will happen over three nights and will be open to people under 19 years old.
“We’re doing Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Long Wharf this year for the first time,” he said. “It’s a sign of the evolution of the festival. We’re getting bigger and better every year and that support from the general public – people that have chosen to come and buy tickets, have given us the leverage to be able to roll out into the third night. So we’re excited about that.”
Gracewood said the decision to open Area 506 to people under the majority age came after various feedback over the years.
“We’re facing some pretty significant macroeconomic issues in New Brunswick, and we do kind of take our role in supporting New Brunswick cultures and music seriously, and I think a big part of that is being able to open the doors to a lot of people that are younger to sort of experience something that they may take away as a positive interpretation of what it is to live here,” he said. “Our hope is that if we open our doors this year to people that are 13, 14, 15, 17 years old, hopefully, it gives the province a better chance to keep those people in the province after they graduate from high school and move on.”
Festival founding partner Discover Saint John is back on board this year as the 2019 Marquee Sponsor.
“Once again, AREA 506 has put together a true spectacle for our city and our province,” says Victoria Clarke, executive director of Discover Saint John, in a release. “We’ve been a proud sponsor since day one and this year’s projection proves that when you nurture an event it can grow into something truly fantastic. Saint John is so electric during the New Brunswick Day weekend, and we’re so happy to continue to take part.”
An extremely limited number of Pre-Early Bird festival passes go on sale Thursday, April 4 at 4:00 p.m. for $99 + HST and applicable taxes. Immediately following, early bird passes will be available for $119 for a limited time. Regular weekend passes are $149.00 + HST and applicable fees. A limited number of VIP weekend passes are available for $299 + HST and applicable taxes. Single day tickets are also available, as are free tickets for those under the age of twelve.
Also planned for the 2019 festival is an expansion of the popular Road of Restaurants featuring many of New Brunswick’s top vendors and food trucks. This new area will run from 6:00 p.m. on Friday night and from 2:00 p.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday. There will also be extended hours in the Container Village, with many vendors remaining open late into the evening. In addition, long-time sponsor and festival supporter Moosehead Breweries will be working with select New Brunswick craft brewers to curate a selection of the province’s best beer, cider, and more.
The Container Village will also play host to pop-up cultural showcases from world-class performers, led by groups like Atlantic Cirque and representation from First Nations among others, who will bring our heritage to life in new ways throughout the weekend.
“For three years we’ve put together a pretty amazing festival experience that’s firmly rooted in celebrating pride in the province of New Brunswick,” Gracewood said. “I think this year it’s going to be bigger and better than it’s ever been in the past.”