After being silenced by the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two years, music will return to Harris Park next summer with performances by a Canadian superstar and two 90s rock bands.
Start.ca Rocks the Park announced on Tuesday Alanis Morissette will headline the first night of its four-night outdoor music series starting on July 13. She will be joined by special guests Garbage, The Beaches, and Crash Test Dummies.
The annual summer music festival in Harris Park has not been held since 2019, as the global pandemic led to tight restrictions on large gatherings that forced organizers to hit the pause button on concerts in the green space.
"All I can say is we’re very excited to be back. It’s been a long time coming and we’re far overdue for getting back to some sort of normalcy," festival organizer Brad Jones said in a statement. "This festival has been a staple in London for the last 17 years and we can’t wait to see the excitement it brings to our community once again."
Morissette, a seven time Grammy award winning musician, gained international attention and praise after the release of her album Jagged Little Pill in 1995. The album contained iconic hit songs including "You Oughta Know", "Hand in my Pocket" and "Ironic". The Canadian singer-songwriter has gone on to release nine more albums, appear on stage and TV, and host a monthly podcast that explores a wide range of psychosocial topics.
Garbage and Crash Test Dummies also debuted in the 90s. Garbage was formed in 1993 in Madison, Wisconsin and has since sold more than 17 million albums worldwide. Hailing from Winnipeg, the Crash Test Dummies are most identifiable through lead vocalist Brad Roberts' distinctive bass-baritone voice and hit singles "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" and "Superman's Song".
Relatively new by comparison, The Beaches are an all-female modern rock band from Toronto. The group has opened for The Rolling Stones and The Foo Fighters.
Tickets for the July 13 show go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. online at rockthepark.ca or by phone at 519-672-1967.