Canada Day Countdown
The Canada Day Countdown is an event first started in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada as a way to re-invent the celebration of Canada's National Holiday: July 1 (Canada Day). The Canada Day Countdown is a free music festival that takes place on June 30 (Canada Eve) at New Brunswick's Festival Place, Market Square. It counts down toward Canada Day the second it arrives at midnight (similar to New Year's Eve) with Canada's National Anthem "O Canada" and fireworks. The first event in 2005 drew record crowds from across the Province of New Brunswick to enjoy this new format for celebrating Canada Day. The main advantage of the Canada Day Eve Celebration is that the Canada Day Countdown Party is always followed by the national holiday the next day so that revellers can stay out into the late evening (and early morning) hours. The event has become a respected showcase of the best in up and coming Atlantic Canadian musical talent.
2013
2013 headline act was Juno winning group Elliott Brood.
Filling out the 2013 line-up was:
- The Dudes
- Mo Kenney
- The Elwins
- Acres&Acres
- The Caravan
- The Motorleague
- Eldon King
2012
2012 headline act was Juno nominated group Mother Mother
Filling out the 2012 line-up were:
- Three Sheet featuring Atlantic Cirque
- Naked Baron
- Reagans Rayguns
- Young River Band
- After party with Tupper Ware Remix Party
2011
2011 headline act was Juno Award-winning trio, Bedouin Soundclash
Filling out the 2011 line-up was:
- Hey Ocean!
- United Steel Workers of Montreal
- Keith Mullins
- Earthbound Trio
- With Late Night Dance Party DJ
2010
2010 headline act was East Coast party band Ruby Jean & The Thoughtful Bees
Filling out the 2010 line-up was:
- The Idlers
- Enter the Haggis
- Rose Cousins
- The Deep Dark Woods
- Jon McKiel
- With Late Night Dance Party with DJ Hawk
2009
2009 headliner was multiple ECMA winner Joel Plaskett with his band the Emergency
Filling out the 2009 line-up was:
- David Myles Band
- The Got to Get Got
- Greg MacPherson
- Laurie Jones
- With a special late party featuring the Mardeen
2008
2008 headliner was juno-nominated act In-Flight Safety.
Filling out the 2008 line-up was:
- Hey Rosetta!
- Les Paiens
- Jeff Morris
- Yuk Yuks Comedy
- With a special late night jam featuring the Scientists of Sound
2007
2007 headliner was Halifax-based Wintersleep.
Filling out the 2007 line-up was:
- The Jimmy Swift Band
- Two Hours Traffic
- Divine Heist
- Gordon Gets Lost
- With a special late night jam featuring Madame Brown
2006
The 2006 event was headlined by award winning Canadian rockers The Trews.
Filling out the 2006 line-up was:
2005
In 2005, the first Canada Day Countdown was led by ECMA award winner Matt Mays & El Torpedo.
Filling out the 2005 line-up was:
- Slowcoaster
- Mr. Something Something
- The Novaks
- Jessica Rhaye
- All of Green