Bleeker set to rock the Go North Festival on St. Joseph Island

Formed in 2004, alternative rock band Bleeker consists of brothers Taylor (on vocals) and Cole Perkins (on guitar), along with Mike Van Dyk (on bass) and Chris Dimas (on drums).  

Bleeker was discovered and signed by Roadrunner Records and by 2010 was touring the world after releasing their debut album, Small Town Dead.

They have opened shows for and played with music heroes like Aerosmith.

The band caught the attention of Hockey Night In Canada where their track Walken was featured during the opening of an NHL broadcast on Sportsnet.

Other singles include Make It Better, Let’s Go and Messed Up, all from their most recent album of the same name, are getting a lot of attention.

Music lovers heading to the 6^th annual Go North Music Festival held in Richards Landing, are in for a treat with the band’s first show in the area since the band (then known as Bleeker Ridge) opened for Australian band Airbourne in 2013 in the Sault

“We love festivals and playing outdoors,” says Bleeker vocalist Taylor Perkins.

“We’re really looking forward to playing this one. Texas King are friends and they played the festival last year and said it was a blast. Festivals are amazing, especially when the weather is great.”

Although the band hasn’t performed in the area in years, they love coming to the north whenever they have the chance.

“We love Northern Ontario,” says Perkins, noting most of the band is based in Orillia.

“We haven’t been up that way in a while so we are equally thrilled to play for new fans and ones that have been with us for awhile.”

Joining Bleeker at this year’s Go North Music Festival are six-time Juno nominees The Trews, genre bending crowd pleasers Daniel Romano’s Outfit, and blues powerhouse Terra Lightfoot.  

Organizers describe Go North as a family-friendly event that brings critically acclaimed Canadian talent together in a "lush green space, nestled in the centre of old-growth maple trees” of the Centennial Grounds in Richards Landing. 

Perkins says his band is excited to join headliners The Trews, a band they have toured with twice, at the festival.

 “We started this year off touring with The Trews opening for the Western leg of their House of Ill Fame anniversary tour,” says Perkins.

“We don’t know the other acts but we are looking forward to meeting them and sharing the stage.”

Perkins took note that the Go North Festival has also booked up-and-coming, local recording artists, Handsome Sandwich and Hollow Heads.

“We love seeing that and really believe in that type of artist development, so hats off to the promoters for making sure they included emerging artists, especially locals,” says Perkins.  

After the Go North Music Festival, Bleeker will likely be headed to Europe for some shows.

“We were invited to play at Germany’s Reeperbahn festival, and have some offers in the U.K.,” says Perkins.

“Hopefully we can make it work. Regardless, we have more new music to release and there will be an extended version of Messed Up with some alternate versions, live versions and a couple brand new songs in September. “

The band are also well into writing the next record which they hope to release in the new year.

Go North Music Festival and Richard’s Landing Community Night Schedule:

Thursday, July 25

The Go North Music Festival weekend begins with a special early event at the Old Town Hall in Richard’s Landing featuring Canadian folk favourite David Francey. This special show has already sold out.

Friday, July 26

This part of the weekend is free and no ticket required. The Richards Landing Community Night is held at the Centennial Grounds with the parade starting on HWY 548 at 7:00 p.m., followed by fresh baked pie, food vendors, kids’ games and games of chance, all in support of the Matthews Memorial Hospital NSHN Auxiliary to help provide equipment for the hospital.

After games end (8:30 p.m.) the fun moves down to the waterfront Marina for the Boat Parade of Lights, and a free live concert by L!ME.

Saturday, July 27 

Get your tickets here for the Go North Music Festival.

Gates open at 3 p.m.

Performers are as follows:

• CASS FM
• Hollow Heads
• Handsome Sandwich 
• Terra Lightfoot
• Daniel Romano’s Outfit
• Bleeker
• The Trews

Buy tickets for Go North Music Festival on July 27 here.

Find out more about Go North here.

Find more about Bleeker here.