Brock Press

Issue date: 6/9/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment

That's right - it's back.
The St. Catharines Event for New music Entertainment, better known as the S.C.E.N.E. Festival, returns for its 14th annual day of all things music on June 28.
When the festival began in 1995, it consisted of 20 artists on three stages. This year's festival showcases the efforts of the coordinators and the true growth of the event, featuring 174 bands on 19 stages in 13 venues across downtown St. Catharines.
"The growth reflects the interest in the festival and the growth of our musical community," said Jennifer Anderson, one of the producers for the festival.
"More bands want to take part and the fans want more bands and more opportunity to be exposed to great indie music from our own backyard and beyond. We received more submissions than any other year and it was a huge challenge to narrow down the bands to the number that we could accommodate."
S.C.E.N.E. has a long history of exposing some of Canada's most successful artists, such as Billy Talent, Silverstein, Neverending White Lights and Bedouin Soundclash, alongside local success stories like Alexisonfire, City & Colour and Attack In Black.
This year's lineup promises to continue this tradition, featuring performances by Cancer Bats, Magneta Lane, Crush Luther, Dinosaur Bones, The Midway State and Hostage Life, as well as local up-and-comers A Sea of Gold and Burgundy, Casey Baker and the Buffalo Sinners,and Hospitals.
"It is important for us to ensure that the artists who appear at the festival represent a wide range of genres that reflect the myriad of genres that make up the Niagara music scene," said Anderson. "While there is a strong focus on the Niagara music scene we have always worked to expand the inclusion of bands from all over Canada and abroad. Bringing in established acts allows us an opportunity to bring musicians and music fans from all over and allow everyone an opportunity to see great indie bands."
Establishing a lineup is certainly a daunting task. The coordinators arrange a staff and listening committee that consists of individuals with diverse music tastes and are a part of the Niagara music community.
However, an important aspect of the festival remains in the diversity of acts and venues - aiding the goal of having attendees invest in the St. Catharines downtown core.

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