It’s been a year (plus) apart and we can’t wait to get back together. To dance in the summer heat, to sing our lungs out, and to laugh and eat good food with friends. As the world starts inching back to normalcy, and just in time for festival season, the music industry has gone to great lengths to bring back live music in the safest way possible, without sparing an iota of fun. We tapped our friends at Trixstar to see how they’re getting creative for their summer-worth of Together Again Outdoor Concert Series festival in Edmonton, Alberta this year. Here’s the secret sauce to festivals returning.  

#1: Get A Great Outdoor Location

No surprise here! Ambiance and accessibility are two key factors that play into a great concert experience. But this year, it’s even more important. With social distancing in full effect, the vibe has to be just right. Now, imagine sitting with your best friends in the center of the historic Racetrack Infield on the Edmonton Exhibition Lands? Pretty cool, right? A unique green space in the middle of a racetrack for an experience like no other. 

#2: Your Own Spot

While getting sweaty with strangers is still far in our sightlines (hey, you never know, maybe things will change sooner than we think), keeping a distance is still the safest measure. Getting your own dedicated table for you and your five closest friends in the expansive grounds is the best way to stay with your bubble and enjoy the music. 

#3: Innovative Food & Beverage Delivery

During COVID times, lots of ingenuity has come about. Some we hope lasts for years to come. Take for example how Trixstar managed to get rid of beer and food lines, and found a way for you to order food directly to your table from your phone. Sure, it was for safety reasons, but talk about convenience. 

#4: Support Local Businesses & Charities

The music industry was hit hard. So with the comeback of live music, it means over 500 jobs for artists, technicians, security guards, bartenders, parking staff, and others are created in just one concert series like Together Again. In the spirit of giving back, not only by way of creating jobs, $2 from every ticket purchased for Together Again will be donated to Boyle Street and Hope Mission to help support men, women, youth & children experiencing poverty and homelessness in Edmonton.

Trixstar’s Mike Anderson says, “Giving back to the community is very meaningful to us as this concert series was built on the foundation of second chances.”

Together Again Outdoor Concert Series kicks off on August 6th, 2021

August 6 Five Alarm Funk, The Jerry Cans, DJ Shub, Shawnee Kish, Halcyon Gray

August 7 Serena Ryder, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Nuela Charles, Carter & The Capitals, Shaela Miller

August 8 The Trews, 54-40, Bif Naked, Kane Incognito, Stephanie Harpe Experience

August 13 David Spade, Nikki Glaser, Donnell Rawlings

August 14 Tom Cochrane with Red Rider, Glass Tiger, Prism, Toque, Chronic Rock

August 15 Chelsea Handler, Trent McClellan, Cindy Rivers

August 21 Blue Rodeo, Alan Doyle, The Dead South, Captain Tractor, Hailey Benedict

August 22 Dean Brody, The Road Hammers, Jess Moskaluke, Dan Davidson, Alee

August 29 Our Lady Peace, I Mother Earth, Danko Jones, Royal Tusk, Whale & The Wolf

September 4 Salt N Pepa, Kardinal Offishall, K-OS, Maestro Fresh Wes, Notorious YEG

September 5 USS, grandson, Current Swell, Dear Rouge, El Niven & The Alibi

Tickets go on sale as reserved tables of 2, 4 or 6 starting as low as $59 per person on Friday June 11, 2021 at 10:00AM MST at TogetherAgainYEG.ca. Stay tuned…more dates, more events, and more artists to be announced!

Access the Pre-Sale on Thursday, June 10 at 10:00am – 10:00pm MST (Code: BEATROUTE)