Delhi 2 Dublin sets tone for diversified Home County Music & Art Festival
It’s almost impossible to define the music of Delhi 2 Dublin.
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It’s almost impossible to define the music of Delhi 2 Dublin.
Its sound has been described as a fusion of several genres, including bhangra, dub, reggae, electronic, funk, hip hop, Celtic and more. Whatever it is, it has put the Vancouver band firmly in the realm of world music and brought them to TD Sunfest eight times over the last decade.
But this Saturday it will be on the Main Stage (bandshell) at the root-oriented Home County Music & Art Festival at Victoria Park at 8 p.m., ahead of The Odds (9 p.m.) and former Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page (10 p.m.).
Performers on the Main Stage for opening night Friday are children’s performer Fred Penner (6 p.m.), London’s own The Pairs (7 p.m.), Coco Love Alcorn (8 p.m.), Lydia Persaud (9 p.m.) and ColinResponse (10 p.m.).
Sunday’s Main Stage closing performers are The LYNNeS (6 p.m.), Meaghan Blanchard (6:50 p.m.), The Small Glories (7:45 p.m.) and Dave Gunning (8:45 p.m.).
Given the pop sensibilities of Delhi 2 Dublin’s new album, We Got This, it could be a stroke of genius by new artistic director Tim Fraser, determined to expand the festival’s audience beyond the traditional folk enthusiasts with such acts as Friday’s pop-soul closer ColinRespone, The Odds and Page.
“They seem to really be trying to bring in more diversity and a wider range of musical styles and I think it’s a great decision because you’ve got to change with the times,” said Sanjay Seran, Delhi 2 Dublin’s lead singer.
Home County’s former artistic director Darin Addison began introducing new music to the festival a few years ago, including the Jim Cuddy Band and Tom Wilson last year, and Fraser has continued the shift.
Beyond the music, the arts continue to be an important component of the festival. This year there will be 120 juried artisans and crafts vendors on site.
Among the children’s performers are the multi-Juno winner Penner and Saidat, while local performers include The Pairs, Ben Heffernan, Whoop-Szo, Gypsy Ghosts, The Heartaches Stringband, Deni Gauthier, Mike Trudgen, Cameron Jericho and Leanne Mayer.
London’s Whoop-Szo, which will perform an acoustic set, should also be included in the expanded genres — its music described as “cross-genre experimentalism, unabashedly unique . . . a wild fusion of folk, metal, pop, grunge and even classical musical stylings.”
The festival features six stages, including the Main at the bandshell, Emerging Artist Stage, the North Concert Stage, South Workshop Stage, East Workshop Stage and the Community/Open Stage.
Fraser talked about the push for more diversity in an interview when the lineup was announced in May.
“A lot of acts now fit under that wide fold umbrella and there are a lot of people out there who might have that ‘this festival is not for me,’ so we’ve started going with a more diverse lineup that will bring more people down to the park,” he said.
Enter Delhi 2 Dublin, which includes Seran with Tarun Nayar on tabla and electronics, Ravi Binning on dhol and dholak, and Serena Eades on violin. They will also perform on the east workshop stage at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Since 2008, the band members have proved to be prolific writers, recording nine albums before We Got This, which marks a significant departure for the band in that the music is more pop with a world flavour and the lyrics are in English instead of Punjabi.
The band has already released three singles from the new album, which came out in May, including the title song, Home (Everywhere I Go) and My People.
“When we first started working on the album, I thought ‘Whoa, this is different,’ ” said Seran. “But we’ve been playing these songs since last fall, so I’m really used to it now.
“We wanted to grow and become better songwriters. We’re not trying to be clever at all. The essence of what we’ve been writing about all along is the same message of connection and coming together, but those messages were hidden in the Punjabi lyrics. We decided to do a pop album, which is the best way to get our message to the (largest number) of people. It was a great time writing it.”
Seran said audiences are already singing their lyrics back to them during shows. “I remember thinking, ‘I want to hear more of this.’ ”
He said he hopes Delhi 2 Dublin “opens doors for other” diverse bands.
He agreed audiences are more receptive and responding to their messages of coming together as people.
“Where I see a difference is at the shows,” said Seran. “There’s a magical thing happening with the audiences now. I want them to take away that feeling and carry on with their day. The songs, they feel like there is good energy and I hope that trickles down into their everyday life.”
That also means breaking down barriers for immigrants and their adopted home.
“All of us in the band are the children of immigrants and we’re stoked to be living here in Canada,” said Seran.
“I think definitely we do make a difference. We bring you into this world, which I feel we sometimes take for granted.”
IF YOU GO
What: 46th annual Home County Music and Art Festival
When: Friday opening ceremonies, 5:45 p.m. until 11 p.m., Saturday, noon until 11 p.m. and Sunday noon until 9:30 p.m.
Where: Victoria Park
Admission: Free, donations accepted
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