www.davehowellsphoto.com
Special to the Sydenham Current
One of Canada’s most talented and well-known musicians joins “The Kent Presents”, 2016 music series on Saturday, September 24th, 8pm at The Kent 1874, 124 William St South, Chatham.
If you’ve listened to Canadian music over the last two decades, you’re likely familiar with the Newfoundland rockers known as Great Big Sea. With lead singer Séan McCann leading the charge, they were multiple Juno nominees, played sold-out shows across the country (including Chatham) and lived the life of a rock and roll band for more than twenty years.
However things changed in 2013 when the group decided to part ways, with Séan in particular looking for a break from the unhealthy habits that can develop as part of the touring band lifestyle. Séan wanted to focus on family, his relationships as well as his mental and physical health. With those barriers coming down, he also started dealing with some demons in his past that he had buried deep for many years.
These demons are what spurred Séan to start fresh and create his own music again. This stripped-down sound showcases what Séan does best: singing and songwriting. With beautiful lyrics and vocals, and focusing solely on the music, this is a Séan McCann we’ve rarely seen before. No big light show, no fancy stage set or wardrobe, no back up band or multi-instrumental extravaganzas. Just Séan and his guitar: singing to and engaging directly with the audience.
Séan’s approach to this cross-country tour also followed that theme. He is essentially doing this all on his own – no big staff entourage or massive music marketing machine. If he sees a venue that fits his sound and vision, he picks up the phone and schedules a show.
Which is in fact exactly what happened with The Kent 1874. “When we were approached by Séan earlier in the year, we were honoured,” says Stephen Keating, co-owner of The Kent 1874. “We have always admired him as a musician, and for him to choose The Kent 1874 as one of his select venues, we could not be happier. The Kent is going to be the perfect venue for both him and the audience to enjoy and interact in a much more intimate way. We’re really looking forward to welcoming him back to Chatham.”
Séan’s performance at The Kent 1874 on Saturday, Sept 24th is one of a very limited number in Ontario.
Tickets are $25 and available at Tony’s One Stop Music Shoppe at 83 Centre St, Chatham and online at TheKent1874.com.
Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
– Photo credit: ©David Howells 2015
