Former frontman of Great Big Sea Alan Doyle will bring his east-coast folk rock sound to Red Deer this weekend.
The legendary Canadian musician is set to perform at the Peavey Mart Centrium as part of Westerner Days this upcoming Saturday.
It’s only been a few years since Doyle last performed in the city, as he played a show during the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
“I’ve always had great nights in Red Deer. Even going back years ago with Great Big Sea, it’s one of those Alberta towns that works hard and plays hard,” Doyle told The Advocate ahead of his performance.
“I’ve always loved touring in Alberta. It’s filled with people who put their nose to the grindstone on Monday morning, but when five o’clock on Friday night hits, look out.”
Great Big Sea’s self-titled debut album was released in 1993. The band released nine albums as a whole, with four of those records going platinum in Canada.
As a solo artist, Doyle has released three albums over the past 10 years. He said he’s grateful to have had 30 years in the music business so far.
“If someone tells me some of the songs me and the gang have recorded over the years were meaningful to them, gave them a good night out or helped them through a dark time, that’s awesome. That’s more than enough for me,” Doyle said.
He describes his live shows as an interactive night out.
“I loved sitting around with people singing songs when I was a kid in my kitchen in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland,” said Doyle.
“I don’t think of concerts as being much different than that. It’s bigger and over a PA system, but it’s still all of us here together to enjoy a night of singing and playing.”
After a long couple of years where he wasn’t able to tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic, playing lives shows again feels like “coming home,” Doyle said.
“We all missed it so much during the pandemic and we filled our lives with duties, jobs, studio work, books and writing musicals – whatever I had to do to not let remember how much I desperately being on the road and playing in a band.”
Doyle, who was made a member of the Order of Canada in 2018, has also worked as an actor in television and film.
“I’ve come to learn that anything in the arts is worth trying if you’re surrounded by people who are passionate about what they’re doing.
“It’s a real blessing to get to spend a life doing fun arts projects with other artists who are just trying to do it better than the last one.”
For more information about the 8 p.m. show, visit ticketsalberta.com.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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