It was all about the recent talent that has come out of Leamington that drove a four-act bill on August 15 at Seacliff Park.
Presented by the Municipality of Leamington and The Bank Theatre, the Friday show was part of the Music Onthe42 Summer Concert Series and featured Billy Raffoul, The Brandy Alexanders, The Indiana Drones and Peter Raffoul.
Four acts on the same night was a first for this series and Michelle Fortier of The Bank Theatre was asked about its motivation.
“We are testing some new waters,” said Fortier. “We’ve been thinking of doing an all-day or all-weekend festival in the future if all goes well.”
Peter Raffoul, who is now based out of Nashville, led the night off with an intimate solo set that included some of his original songs that have yet to be released.
Raffoul said, “I’m so excited to be here tonight. Anytime you can come home to play it amplifies the excitement. This is our original crowd and I can’t wait to play for them.”
Raffoul performed on both an acoustic guitar and the keyboards, and paid special tribute to his dad Jody by performing two songs from Jody’s album Simple Life.
Next up was The Indiana Drones, led by Leamington’s Justin Zuccato. The Drones showed their range by giving off a melancholic vibe at times, while bringing a jump-up attitude for some of their other songs. Zuccato’s feel and sound give off shades of Green Day’s leadman Billie Joe Armstrong.
Third to hit the stage was Windsor’s Brandy Alexanders, who also have a Leamington connection in that band founders Alex and Daniel Dick really got things going while attending high school locally. Labelling their music as neo-psychedelic, the unique pitch of lead singer Alex Dick’s voice brought a real alt-pop energy to their set on the amphitheatre stage.
Headlining the evening and last to appear was Billy Raffoul, joined by his brother Peter on keyboards, Justin Zuccato on drums, local talent Derek Impens on multiple instruments and “Mr. Chill” Kelly Hoppe on the sax.
Like his brother, Billy was asked about his thoughts on being on stage for the hometown crowd.
“I’m very proud. It might just be an excuse to hang out with all of my family being here,” he said. “Leamington put me on the map, and it’s cool to perform some songs from the new album that I made with Justin and just released today.”
Raffoul’s 10-track album was made here in Leamington and is a collaboration between he and Zuccato that has pondered about for many years.
Titled When I Cross The River, Raffoul opened his set with the title track, while a song from his self-titled Album called Canadian really showed his rock chops. Billy continues his tour this fall as he makes his way across the USA before finding his way back into Ontario.
Leamington’s Justin Zuccato energized the stage as he fronted the set from The Indiana Drones.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
Peter Raffoul performs on the keyboard.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
Daniel Dick on keyboards and Alex Dick on vocals/guitar performing as The Brandy Alexanders.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
