Festival 506: Highlights from Moncton

Known as the hub of the Maritimes, Moncton has long been home to a thriving music scene. Over the years, there have been a host of big name bands that have played there, packing concert halls and festival grounds alike. Put simply, there are a lot of chances to be inspired in Moncton.

With Festival 506 this weekend comes a slew of talent from the Moncton area and, as you'll see from the four artists listed below, it's a diverse and expansive range of styles that inspire the residents of the Maritimes' fastest growing city.

Here is a small taste of the musical talent Moncton has to offer:

EASTCOAST LOVE STORY
Snap, Crackle & Rock Stage
The Goodie Shop, Friday @ 10pm

Relative newcomers to the New Brunswick music scene, Eastcoast Love Story released their first EP last summer. Using folk rock as a base, the group's songs are energetic and mature. It's a fresh take on the genre that earned them the Emerging Artist of the Year award at last year's Festival 506, and has seen them travel well outside the province's borders; earlier this year, they got to play Toronto's storied Horseshoe Tavern.

FM BERLIN
Snap, Crackle & Rock Stage
The Goodie Shop, Friday @ 1am

The artists formerly known as 60 LPs have been in existence for a few years now, and have been more than willing to make the 90 minute drive to play shows in Miramichi on a consistent basis. It's been an excruciating wait for their first full-length LP, and I'm hoping they'll take the opportunity at this weekend's showcase to preview some of the new material they've been working on.

SHADES OF SORROW
Riffs & Riffraff Stage
The Goodie Shop, Saturday @ 10:45pm

With more than five years, two full-length LPs and four lead singers under their belts, Shades of Sorrow have made their mark on Moncton's metal scene. Their latest record, 2015's Ascension, saw the debut of Monise Oullette behind the mic. She's proven a great fit with the band, and the critics agree; Ascension was nominated for Loud Recording of the Year at this year's East Coast Music Awards.

THE CAULDRON PROJECT
Electro N' Hop Stage
Kin Centre, Saturday @ 11:45pm

Stogy-1 and dj godkord have been creating unique electronic-infused hip hop for a long time now, and their latest release (2015's East Infection) is a record that bears the marks of a group that's honed its chops over the years. Gleefully profane and undeniably catchy, this is music that, along with their hilarious videos, has earned them a loyal and growing following.




Tomorrow, we bring it on home, with the spotlight on artists from this year's Festival 506 host city (and my hometown), Miramichi.