Capital Complex turns INF4RNO, Photo by Chris Giles

Shifty Bits shone over downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick. A huge neon-like “INF4RNO” hung high, illuminating the late weekend nights and guiding onlookers towards the nine circles of hell within The Capital Complex. Here housed some of the loudest and freakiest bands of the weekend, an immersion into the new and unknown and a spirited homecoming to local favorites. The all-ages shows of the weekend were housed inside great alternative venue spaces. ReNeu Boutique, Connexion ARC, Sixty-Five York Creative Studio and Shift Work Studio not only provided accessible and inclusive spots to enjoy music, but also delivered some of the best acts of the weekend.

Cedric Noel of Sentimentals, Photo by Chris Giles

The festivities began with local cuties Sentimentals fronted by Fredericton sweetheart Cedric Noel (check out his solo stuff here as well). Delivering catchy hooks and sweet sounding melodies with energetic backing from thoughtfully thrashing Cam and groovy Will Pacey. Reciting sentimental and thoughtful lyrics “I’ve got nothing in my head, I’ve got nothing in my head, I’ve got you” provided the crowd with a head banging and crowd-surfing worthy set.

Perhaps Fredericton’s most underrated band, Tortue delivered their habitually amazing set brimming with mind-boggling guitar riffs and prog-rock influenced rhythms to a full and sweaty room. Keep an eye on bassist Connor MacAulay not only in Tortue but also with Josh Bravener and The Hypochondriacs as he is a talent not to be missed. Hailing from Port Greville, Nova Scotia came highly anticipated duo Construction & Destruction who delivered experimental rock and entranced onlookers. They manage the deeply grungy meets shining beauty flawlessly. The night ended with endless local love as country influenced Sam Salmon & The Grand Manan Bandits and Keith Hallet & The Worlds Fair ran us further into the great ring of fire.

Technical Kidman, Photo by Chris Giles

The Shifty Bits Cult is amazing at show casing the talents of the east coast but also prides itself with the introduction of new bands into our thriving community. Bands from all over the country leave with plans of returning knowing the fun, love and hard work that goes in to making our little city thrive. Montreal’s Technical Kidman were a festival favourite due to their unique sound and on point stage presence. Their dark electronic presence fueled the Inf4rno as people spun fire outside, ate glass, and crowded with friends new and old. Towanda, also from Montreal, sang some satanic sermons to a crowd bathed in red light.

Whoop Szo, Photo by Chris Giles

Whoop-Szo graced us with not one but two adored sets taking us back to the 1800’s and into the future at the same time. Mangled with tight experimentation, enchanting and captivating. A little Timber Timbre meets baroque meets Swans. Something you have to listen to, experience and fall deeper in love with. Whoop-Szo tour mates WTCHS howled through the building encompassing lust, anger, treachery, and heresy… all hell needs to thrive. And we did survive through the late hours of the night and into the early hours of the morning tightly held within the secret after party venue.

Mauno, Photo by Chris Giles

With more on the all-ages front, Halifax’s Mauno delivered the most heartwarming set of the weekend. This was the last show of their impressive cross-Canada tour – but don’t worry, they will be back on the road soon with lots of dates lined up for August (and an upcoming album on the way). Mauno have created the perfect songs in intricately woven and concise packages. Their following is obvious as “nothing” and “champs” – the two newest songs on their Bandcamp – had the crowd lip-synching and bobbing to Evan Matthews’ detailed rhythms. Nick Everett and Eliza Niemi pair for beautifully delivered, shimmering vocals. Impressive, dynamic, catchy and humble – Mauno can’t help but be your new favourite band and your new best friends. More impressive Haligonians included widely popular Walrus, summer-infused The Everywheres, and garage rock ‘n’ rollers Best Fiends.

After the incredible Force Fields blew everyone away Saturday night, festivalgoers awoke to freshly brewed coffee, breakfast wraps and sleepy smiles on Sunday for the Inf4rno version of church. An endearing homecoming to Kurtis Eugene paired with his earnest songs about women, flowers, old books and good looks. Sunday was a beautiful day: from the alley-cooked wood fire pizza, to the final sips of wine and goodbyes. The last show of the festival was held at one of the best alternative spaces in the city: Shiftwork Studio. Decorated with spooky art and full of heavy psychedelic sounds from CROSSS, a perfect farewell into the final embers of the Inf4rno.

Our author Jane Blanchard, rockin’ the keys with David In The Dark. Photo by Chris Giles

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