Patrick Richard

A unique up-close and personal experience for country music fans is coming to Greater Moncton.

The Nashville Takeover is making its only East Coast stop September 18-20.

Inspired by Nashville’s popular songwriter circle format, the event features intimate acoustic performances by a lineup of surprise artists. Unlike a traditional music festival, attendees won’t know who is taking the stage until the performances begin.

“It’s all surprise performances,” said Patrick Richard, executive director of Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville Inc. (DMCI). “There’s no lineup, there’s no announced artists, there’s no posters. You show up and get to see and hear what you get to see and hear. “It’s kind of the exciting surprise factor. I’m sure there’s going to be some pretty interesting and exciting artists.”

Backyard Music Co. is bringing the Nashville Takeover to Greater Moncton, transforming the tri-communities into a hub for original songwriting, storytelling, and community connection.

DMCI wasn’t involved in organizing the Nashville Takeover, but Richard said the organization helped promote it because two downtown businesses are serving as host venues.

Four venues in Moncton are taking part

Bright & Brine Art Gallery and Pump House Brewery will welcome performers and audiences as part of the multi-venue event. Other participating locations include Holy Whale Brewery in Riverview and Magnetic Hill Winery.

The Nashville Takeover format is designed to recreate the atmosphere of Nashville’s renowned songwriter rounds, where artists perform acoustically and share stories behind their songs. Performers are expected to come from a variety of regions, including Atlantic Canada, Ontario, Nashville and Texas.

According to Richard, the organizer previously toured the region and considered Moncton a natural fit for the event.

The timing also comes as country music’s popularity continues to grow locally.

“Why not?” Richard said, pointing to the success of recent country music events in the region, including YQM Country Fest, which attracted more than 20,000 fans.

Major economic impact for Greater Moncton expected

“The artists are staying downtown, they’re in hotels, they’re eating out and taking in the sights and scenes from the downtown,” Richard explained.

Richard added that visitors attending performances are also likely to spend money at local restaurants, bars and retail businesses before and after shows, creating benefits that extend beyond the four host venues.

“It does definitely bring vibrancy to the entire downtown core,” Richard stated.

The main event runs throughout Saturday and Sunday, with performances scheduled during morning, afternoon and evening time slots.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. Organizers are offering both day passes and weekend passes. Once tickets are secured, attendees must register for specific performances based on venue and available time slots.

Richard believes Moncton’s central location within the Maritimes also makes it an attractive destination for events targeting audiences from across Atlantic Canada.

“We’re kind of a meeting point for everybody in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and P.E.I.,” he said.