Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Published: 2/26/2018 5:48:44 PM
The 11th Thing in the Spring music and arts festival returns to Peterborough June 6-10, and much like the previous 10 incarnations, it promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Headlining the fest are Iris Dement and Bonnie Prince Billy, two of the biggest names Eric Gagne and the Glass Museum have ever booked for Peterborough.
Dement is a country singer in the tradition of Merle Haggard and Gillian Welch.
“Iris is definitely in that upper echelon of Americana singer-songwriters,” Gagne said. “She was always someone I thought of as this legendary figure.”
Booking Dement opened the door for Gagne’s other big get, Bonnie Prince Billy, who’s been hugely influenced by Dement over the years.
“His only stipulation was that he didn’t have to follow her,” Gagne said, “so he’s opening for her.”
The beauty of the Thing in the Spring is that big acts like the headliners are on the same bill with local up-and-comers, and that will be evident in 2018, with area bands like Gilliver, Party of the Sun and Duncan Pelletier in the mix, along with staples like Rick Maguire, Bunny’s A Swine and Giraffes? Giraffes!
To get an early taste of what’s to come in June, check out Gagne’s band Footings playing at Bass Hall Wednesday at 7 p.m.
For tickets to that, visit monadnockcenter.org/event/footings. To learn more about the Thing in the Spring, visit www.thethinginthespring.com.