Chilliwack and The Spoons to headline Ribfest

August 5, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Brock Weir

Aurora residents may feel a wave of nostalgia when they take in the Town’s 2015 Ribfest.

Canadian rock bands Chilliwack and The Spoons were announced Wednesday as the headliners for this year’s event, which takes place at Machell Park September 11 – 13.

Chilliwack released twelve albums over a 15 year period producing numerous Canadian and international hits. All this work led to 15 gold and platinum certificates, a host of awards, high profile TV appearances and coliseum concert tours.

The Spoons are a Canadian new wave synthpop formed in 1979 in Burlington. They recoded several Canadian chart hits between 1982 and 1989, and in 1983 they won Group of the Year at the U-Know awards. Early in the band’s career, they opened for The Police, Joan Jett and toured with Culture Club.

“Despite Chilliwack having 12 albums and 19 platinum awards, they are, in my opinion, a timeless classic,” says Shelley Ware, Special Events Coordinator for the Town of Aurora. “All ages are still huge fans of them. In fact, booking them was a challenge because of how much they are currently in demand. I think this is going to be a really good experience, especially for the residents of Aurora.

“The Spoons actually launched their 30th anniversary tour this year. With a lot of people I was speaking to in testing out audience appeal, The Spoons played a lot of high schools in Aurora many years ago and so I am really hoping to be able to provide a treat to those who saw them and give them a nostalgic feel. I am pretty confident The Spoons are going to impress the community. Their performance level right now is extremely strong, extremely well-scripted. I think if you’re not a Spoons fan, you will be by the end of the concert.”

Chilliwack will perform the evening of Friday, September 11, and The Spoons will perform the following evening at 9 p.m. After 8 p.m. on the Friday and Saturday Ribfest is only open to those 18 years of age and older who have purchased – and are wearing – a valid wristband.

Wristbands cost $5 each and are sold at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex and the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex, as well as on-site at Machell Park.