Under the Spire Announces 2024 Artist Lineup
The award-winning concert series reveals an enchanting season celebrating 29 years of music and community in rural PEI
After a record-breaking season in 2023 and over a quarter of a century presenting the very best of traditional, pop, classical, jazz, country, and world music in Historic St. Mary’s, Under the Spire (UTS) is excited to announce the full lineup for the upcoming 2024 season presented by Confederation Bridge. The upcoming season features the return of some fan favourite concerts and artists, new musicians, diverse genres spanning from celtic to classical, and incredible talent from all over Canada, including a new series highlighting PEI talent. With engaging music and community events idyllically set overlooking beautiful Malpeque Bay, Under the Spire’s 2024 season feels like it could be right out of a fairytale.
This year, our theme is Everlasting and features a diverse lineup of concerts showcasing dreamy songwriting, cultural celebrations, unique food & music pairings, and fairytale-inspired chamber repertoire. “Everlasting is inspired by the legacy of enchanting music experiences at Under the Spire, the art of planning for sustainability in our century-old venue as well as the natural environment that surrounds us, and the importance arts and culture has for finding moments of joy everyday” says UTS’ Executive Director Lindsay Connolly. “I hope everyone who joins us this summer shares in the magic of our venue and artists, and is inspired to find their own summer fairy-tale!
The artists for Under the Spire’s 2024 season include:
June 22- Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus
June 23- Mass for Shout-Outs by Tanya Davis
June 28- Joel Plaskett
June 30 – Philip Chiu
July 7 – Duo Concertante
July 12 – Gordie MacKeeman & The Rhythm Boys
July 13 – Elizabeth Shepherd Trio
July 14 – Maryna Krut
July 19 – The Once
July 21 – SHHH!! Ensemble
July 27 – Alicia Toner presents…
July 28 – Duel by Pallade Musica
August 2 – Midsummer Magic: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Pallade Musica
August 4 – Midsummer Magic: Bagels & Bach with Sarah Hagen
August 8 – Rum Ragged
August 9 – Jackson/Wilson Duo
August 11 – Sechile Sedare
August 16 – Mi’gmafrica by Les Productions Mosaiculture
August 18 – Lara Deutsch & Adam Cicchillitti
August 23 – Vishtèn Connexions
August 25 – Duo CBJ & MH
August 30 – Morgan Toney
September 6 & 7 – Sundown: The songs of Gordon Lightfoot
September 15 – David Potvin – piano
ISLAND PROUD SERIES
The very best in PEI entertainment and hospitality
July 24 – Emilea May (AKA Emily MacLellan)
July 31 – Aaron Comeau
August 7 – Alicia Toner
August 14 – Tiffany Liu
August 21 – Shane Pendergast
UTS’s long-standing tradition of artist-led programming will continue with Alicia Toner as this year’s Artist in Residence! Taking after Robert Kortgaard, the organization’s former Artistic Director, Toner will curate several performances throughout the 2024 season. “I’m so grateful to Under The Spire for the opportunity to create for the summer in this beautiful setting,” says Toner. “What an honour to be the Artist in Residence. I don’t take it lightly as opportunities like these for artists are rare.”
Some highlights of this year’s season include an intimate solo concert with Joel Plaskett, the 85-person Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus, Ukrainian musician Maryna Krut performing the bandura (traditional Ukrainian instrument), the incredible storytelling of siblings Leela Gilday and Jay Gilday as Sechile Sedare, and the return of our annual classical music festival Midsummer Magic. This year’s Midsummer Magic features a full baroque chamber orchestra performing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons as well as PEI’s own Sarah Hagen in a unique “Bagels & Bach” double feature.
Director of the Board Nicole Mountain shares her excitement for the summer, “It feels like stepping into our own storybook with Historic St. Mary’s as the castle welcoming audiences to witness the eclectic voices and sounds of each performer. Audiences may even feel they have embarked on their own quest for a little magic!”
In addition to concerts, UTS is committed to fostering a sense of togetherness through a series of community events, such as the annual ceilidh series, songwriting workshops, pre-concert talks, and more. There are a variety of accessible community concerts and events scheduled for this summer which will be announced closer to the season.
Tickets are available as of March 26th, 2024 with prices ranging from $20-$45 and options for student/senior pricing. Looking for unique experiences and the best possible deals? Join the Soundtrack to gain all the benefits of supporting UTS as a member. Soundtrack is a new member program with perks, exclusive pricing, giveaways, and more! More information can be found at our website- underthespire.ca/soundtrack/.
For more information on UTS 2024, visit our website: www.UnderTheSpire.ca.
Tickets are available via www.UnderTheSpire.ca website, by calling or visiting the Kensington office: 902-836-4933 or by phoning TicketPro directly at 888-311-9090.
Media inquiries can be forwarded to lindsay@underthespire.ca, and any companies/individuals looking to partner can contact music@underthespire.ca.
Presented by the Confederation Bridge, Under the Spire (UTS) is a summer concert series celebrating 29 years of quality music and community gatherings in 2024. Set in rural PEI and nestled amongst idyllic fields with a view of the Malpeque Bay, UTS presents high quality and diverse artists from varying genres, including chamber music, jazz, R&B, folk, trad, baroque and more! UTS is grateful for programming support from the Government of Canada and Province of PEI. Since its founding in 1996, UTS has hosted some of the best Canadian performers and strives to present musical excellence spanning multiple styles. Most recently, the festival was awarded the 2023 Live Sector Award from MusicPEI which recognizes excellence in the live music sector on PEI, and is nominated for both Event and Venue of the Year awards at the 2024 ECMAs.
