Photos and review by Amanda Daubert – Including Interviews with Courtney Wolfe and Tyler Smith from Born Riot. With electricity still buzzing in the air from the night before, fans were back for night two of the Revelree Music Festival Saturday. With another stacked line-up, the stage was set and the crowd was ready for an encore!
Kicking off day two were the soulful country duo of Nolan and Ehtan Wilde, also known as Brothers Wilde. These two humble up-and-coming stars have been slowly making their mark on the Canadian and US Country Music scene, and it’s easy to see why. Their set was a warm country welcome and featured their hits “Pop Your Top” and “Run Me Down.” They were the perfect start to the day and are surely ones to watch.
Up next was Kitchener, Ontario’s emerging singer/songwriter Courtney Wolfe. Since making her debut in 2019 Courtney has released a number of singles, and her debut EP, showcasing her rich voice, passionate and honest lyrics, and full bodied sound. Courtney shared with us that when she got invited to play at Revelree she “cried tears of joy,” saying “it is reaffirming that you really can do anything with a passionate and hard working mindset.” She was excited to perform but also to share the stage with JJ Wilde, who is from the same hometown, “My dad first showed me her music and she has always been a huge inspiration for me. I love her energy and cannot wait to hear her.”
Fueled with inspiration, we wanted to know what’s next for her career, “I have never given myself the time to truly focus on my wellbeing and state of mind, so that is what is next for me. I am so excited to go in the studio to record some of my favourite songs I’ve written, play some shows, have a great summer and take some time to take care of my mind and heart.”
Next to take the stage were fellow Ontario natives, Born Riot. With their heavy guitar riffs, heart pounding kick drums, and lead singer Andrew Colborne’s pure rock vocals, their energetic performances are an homage to true rock and roll. We caught up with Tyler Smith, drummer for Born Riot, who told us he was “pumped to be opening for some heavy hitters in the Canadian Rock scene this weekend.” Tyler shared with us that he’s been a huge fan of The Glorious Sons from the beginning but personally was most looking forward to JJ Wilde’s performance,
“I’ve heard she is a powerhouse on stage.” Before we let Tyler go, we had to ask what’s next for Born Riot, “We have a new single coming out August 4th called “Cracks and Pieces,” accompanied with a new music video as well for the track.” Be sure to stream/view “Cracks and Pieces” everywhere you get your music!
Midway through the nights’ line-up was an incredible performance that could have easily headlined any festival, a set by Kitchener’s own JJ Wilde. Wilde is today’s Queen of Canadian Rock with the sound, look, energy and passion that it takes to fight your way to the top, and stay there. Since her breakthrough chart topping single “The Rush,” from her debut EP, Wilde has been making a name for herself. Her hard work was most notably recognized with her Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year in 2021, making her the first woman to win the award in 25 years, when it was won by fellow Canadian Rock Superstar, Alanis Morisette. Wilde’s set included the high energy hit “Off The Rails,” two unreleased singles “Arizona” and “Bad Side,” plus a cover of “Stop Draggin My Heart Around.”
Up next was a man who truly needs no introduction, the one and only, Tom Cochrane. With a career that has spanned over four decades, with eight Juno Awards, plus an induction into the Canadian Walk of Fame and Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the crowd knew they were in the presence of greatness. Cochrane’s set featured classic hits like “The Big Leagues,” “White Hot” and of course “Life is a Highway.” Cochrane and his talented band provided a captivating, high energy performance, which included a surprise return to the stage for an encore of “Lunatic Fringe.”
With two incredible days of music, and some unforgettable performances, the crowd was ready to close out Revelree with Kingston, Ontario’s hometown boys, The Glorious Sons. Since their formation in 2011 The Glorious Sons have been on a hard-fought and well-deserved rise to the top. From their debut EP in 2013, which placed their singles “Mama” and “White Noise” on the Canadian Rock Radio Top 10 Charts, fans of The Glorious Sons have watched the band mature and evolve into the powerful six-piece rock and roll brotherhood that it is today. Stacking up chart topping singles, albums, and a nice set of Juno’s along the way, The Glorious Sons are poised and ready for the next chapter in their story with the recent announcement of their fourth studio album, Glory, which is scheduled to be released September 6th, coinciding with the kick-off of their 57 city North American tour. The band took the stage with an infectious energy, with lead singer Brett Emmons bare-foot and filled with passion, the crowd quickly matched their on-stage liveliness for an evening of scream-along hits. The nights incredible two-hour set featured their three singles from the forthcoming album, crowd-favorites including “Sawed Off Shotgun,” “Union,” and “Josie.” Plus an epic five-song encore of “I Want Ya,” “Dreamer,” “Everything is Alright,” “Pink Motel,” and “Amigo.” It was the best way to end an unforgettable two days of music bliss.
Until next year Revelree!
