P.E.I.'s May Run Music Festival a success, say organizers

The May Run Music Festival that wrapped Sunday was a big success, according to organizers, with well-attended shows and sold-out festival passes.

• P.E.I. Music Week promises 'as stacked a lineup as you'll find anywhere'

Last year Music PEI Week was re-branded as the May Run Music Festival and Canadian Song Conference, and the event was moved from January to May.

"It's hugely important for our industry for a number of reasons. One is that you know we bring delegates in from all over. We've got people up from L.A., from New York, from across Canada, from the UK. And they help create opportunities for our artists," said Rob Oakie, the executive director of Music PEI, adding people travelled from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to see the 60 acts.

34 awards handed out

Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys took home a total of four awards during the week, more than any other act: Group Recording of the Year, Roots Traditional Recording of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year.

For a full list of who won what, visit Music PEI'sFacebook page.

The week added new shows with different genres of music, including a classical concert. The number of volunteers doubled from last year, and several shows were added this year in Summerside.

"Traditionally the PEI Music Awards has mostly been about contemporary music. Folk and rock and that kind of thing," said Oakie.

New jams, new venues

"This year we did a classical concert for the first time which was fantastic ... we also did our first EDM [electronic dance music] dance party."

The festival wrapped up Sunday with an awards party in the afternoon and a concert at the Delta Hotel with four of P.E.I.'s internationally-touring artists including Tim Chaisson, who also took away two awards this week: Male Solo Recording of the Year and Country Recording of the Year.

Producer Jon Matthews won three awards: Live Production Professional of the Year, Producer of the Year and Studio of the Year for The Sound Mill Studio.

Miss out on this weekend's action, or craving more? You won't have to wait long to see more talent from the Maritimes, and from even farther afield: the Festival of Small Halls begins June 12 in venues across the Island.