Music

Sarah Harmer cheers up muddy festival goers at Hillside

by Anne T. Donahue

After partaking in the Colossal Jam that boasted the likes of Jason Collett, Calexico, Los Lobos and members of Zeus, Sarah Harmer’s likeability was irrefutable, and as she sipped her beer, played guitar and led the crowd of rain-drenched and muddy festival goers in the music she and her genre’s been defined by, it was obvious as to why the singer-songwriter’s become a staple of Canadian folk.

No more appropriate artist could follow Jason Collett’s engaging set, and by the time Harmer took to the stage at 8 o’clock, a larger audience had assembled to watch the songstress prove once more why she’s maintained a longevity and success few can claim fame to.

Having just released her fifth full-length album last month, the artist opened with the fast-paced “Captive”, and instantly grabbed the attention of those standing in wait, pulling them in with her gentle voice and instrumental energy, and prompting the trademark audience dance-meets-sway so familiar to those of us who frequent folk festivals.

Engaging in tracks from albums old and new (including a particularly crystal clear version of “Silver Road”), Harmer’s charming-yet-stirring set complimented the setting sun perfectly, as she seamlessly transitioned from one song to the next, stopping only to thank and engage listeners with short conversation that’s typical of an artist who’s chosen to focus on her music as opposed to the glory that stems from it.

Like the feelings associated with Collett’s set prior or Basia Bulat’s performance that kicked off the evening, Harmer helped prove why so many attendees continue to gravitate towards Hillside despite less-than-stellar weather conditions or the inability to wear proper shoes.  Like the Canadian festival itself, the songstress performed with a quiet enthusiasm, as the combination of her voice, guitar and backing band took hold of anyone within listening range and pulled them towards the main stage.

Deserving of the positive connotations associated with her brand of folk and her music in general, Sarah Harmer undoubtedly added to this year’s list of great performances, leaving anticipation for the last day to be even higher than before.