The James Barker Band is ready to hit the stage at Summer in the City alongside talented openers

Fresh off winning Country Album of the year at the Junos and playing the Grand Ole Opry, The James Barker Band will be headlining the SCU Mainstage on Friday night. 

Summer in the City is back and country music will echo through the streets of Steinbach as day number one comes to a close. 

James Barker tells us what ticket holders can look forward to. 

“We try to have a lot of fun on stage, we try to keep it pretty light. Obviously, we'll do some of the more emotional stuff, but I do think one of the things that we've always prided ourselves on is trying to blend in some unique, not-so-country covers and take people in a direction they didn't anticipate the show going and that is definitely one of the things we will be doing.” 

He adds, “We have so much fun when we're on stage and I feel like people can pick up on that and it makes them have fun.” 

Barker gives us a sneak preview of the show, noting they will kick off their set with their hit single “Chills”. 

But, before The James Barker Band takes the stage, there is a talented slate of openers lined up to pump up the crowd Friday night.  

Club Wagon Creek will kick off the show at 6:15 PM. Mitchell Friesen says they are very excited to be included in the mainstage concert this year. He notes they have been growing a developing as a band and it’s really paying off.  

“We really owe it to all the support of our family and friends and local radio stations. It's been a journey, starting at the 2:00 PM slot at Summer in the City last year and moving up to the later slot this year, it's been great.” 

He notes will play a number of originals alongside their favourite covers. 

Club Wagon Creek is the first of three headlining acts for The James Barker Band. Photo provided by Club Wagon Creek.

Steinbach’s Brandon Post Band will follow Club Wagon Creek. Post says he loves Summer in the City noting “I always look forward to this in Steinbach. I think it's one of the coolest things that happens and there's just so many people on the streets.” 

Post says he is really excited about the set he and his band has put together. 

“We're working really hard to bring the best show we can and hopefully knock the socks off of some people who don't know who we are. This year I just thought 'let's throw a party, let's have a lot of fun, let's get everybody warmed up for James Barker and Catie St. Germain' and so we just put our funnest songs together in one set and said, 'let's dance!” 

Brandon Post says he and his band will be playing quite a few originals and their favourite country covers. Photo provided by Brandon Post

As mentioned, the final opening act of the night is Catie St. Germain who just released her debut EP “Cleaning House (Or Trying)” earlier this year and will be bringing many of those tunes to Steinbach. 

“I think we're doing five from the EP, so they can expect to hear those and then we're just going to throw in a couple of covers in there, might ask a special guest to come up, we're not too sure yet, but we're excited.” 

St. Germain says she loves doing outdoor shows like Summer in the City and she and her band feel ready to go. 

Tickets for The James Barker Band and wonderful slate of openers can be purchased at SummerInTheCity.ca. 

Catie St. Germain says she'll be playing quite a bit of music from her new EP. Photo provided by Catie St. Germain.