By Will McGuirk
One of my fave memories of Mariposa, which I have been lucky enough to attend for quite some years, is stepping across a sea of blankets to watch Bruce Cockburn’s afternoon soundtrack a couple of years back. It amazed me that so few people were around but in the evening when he performed nary a thread of those blankets or a blade of grass even were to be seen. Full house. But there in the afternoon just Bruce and his beautiful guitar playing. And speaking of, its mad that of all the things Bruce Cockburn is known for, and there are many, his skill as a guitarist is further down the list than the others. Listen to his appropriately named 2005 album, ‘Speechless’, all instrumentals, compiled with Colin Linden, who is also playing this year. Hmmm?
Anyways his guitar playing, his lyrics, his activism, his spirituality, his songs and music, are all why he will be inducted into the Mariposa Hall of Fame this year. Cockburn first played the festival in 1968 and 2024 will mark his ninth appearance.
Mariposa takes place July 5 through the 7 at Tudhope Park in Orillia, ON. As well as a special performance by Cockburn on the Sunday, other featured performers over the course of the weekend include Bahamas, William Prince, Band of Horses, Old Crow Medicine Show, Donovan Woods, as well as Maestro Fresh Wes.
Bands I’m excited to see include the legendary B.A. Johnston, Bry Webb, Leeroy Stagger, and Okkervil River!!! Such a beautiful festival, maybe see you there
