Sweltering Songs Music Event Introduces Pay-What-You-Can Donation Model
FREDERICTON— The summertime version of the winter Shivering Songs event, Sweltering Songs is now free to access by donation on a pay-what-you-can model.
The three-day music event is hosted downtown Fredericton and features music talent from New Brunswick and beyond.
Zach Atkinson, the executive director of Capital Arts Support Inc., said operating the event with this model allows Sweltering Songs to be more accessible.
“We want to be able to keep live music strong in the city of Fredericton,” said Atkinson.
The by-donation or pay-what-you-can model is possible because the festival secured last-minute funding from FACTOR Canada, a foundation that supports music venues and concert promoters. By using this model of access, people can be introduced to new-to-them artists.
“There’s always somebody in Fredericton that’s never heard of a local band,” Atkinson said.
While this year’s event is technically free, Atkinson said staff will be holding a certain number of tickets at the door of the venues to allow people to attend who did not order advance tickets.
Atkinson is encouraging people to still buy advanced tickets on the Sweltering Songs website to prevent missing out due to capacity limits in the venue tents.
“It’s the best way to secure your spot and know that you’re going to be able to attend the show.”
When the event was first announced, music-goers could purchase passes and tickets but the funding allowed them to omit the price.
Atkinson said the customers who already purchased a ticket before the model changed have been contacted with the opportunity to receive a refund or allow the organization to keep the fee as a donation.
The event will be hosted from July 15 to 17 in downtown Fredericton. The Friday night shows will be located in an outdoor tent on Waterloo Row, on the lawn between the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge.
The Saturday and Sunday shows will also be hosted in an outdoor tent, this time located on Carleton Street. Still, due to Covid-19, the tents will be operating at a 25 percent reduced capacity, allowing up to 300 people in the Waterloo Row tent and up to 400 per show at the Carleton Street tent.
Shivering Songs is the original music event and 2020 was its 10-year anniversary. Due to Covid-19 and restrictions, the event was cancelled the last few years.
Atkinson said the summertime version, Sweltering Songs, was born out of the pandemic and 2021 was the first year of operation.
Atkinson wants to introduce the younger audience to music, making this event open to all ages. The event will also introduce attendees to what Atkinson says are “some of the strongest acts in Atlantic Canada.”
Jessica Saulnier is an intern with Huddle in Fredericton. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].