The Chicago band Switchback will be performing a benefit concert for the Soo Theatre Project at the Soo Theatre on Thursday, July 16th at 7:30pm. Opening for Switchback will be Syzygy, a young energetic acoustic folk/rock band from Northern Michigan that has been playing shows and festivals in Michigan and Canada for the last 5 years. This benefit performance for the Soo Theatre Project is part of the 2009 Soo International Arts Festival.
Comprised of Marty McCormack on bass and vocals and Brian Fitzgerald on guitar and vocals, Switchback plays a blend of their own original Americana and Celtic songs, plus a variety of cover tunes from the Beatles, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Johnny Cash and more. Switchback has toured the world over the last 12 months, including performances at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Matt Molloy's pub in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, concerts and wedding in the Netherlands, several shows in Ontario and a Celtic festival in Hawaii. The duo also performed some of their heart stomping original Irish tunes backed by the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra at the Star Plaza Theater in Indiana last year. "No matter what the venue or where the location, we just love sharing our music with folks," said McCormack.
One of the high points for the band last year was the award they received from the Irish Music Association. Switchback was named the 2008 Top Duo for festivals, concerts and pubs in the US, Ireland, the EU and the United Kingdom. This was in addition to the many awards they have received over the years for their songwriting, including being selected as one of "Performing Songwriter Magazine’s" top 10 Independent albums of the year for "The Fire That Burns", produced by Grammy-winning producer Lloyd Maines. Switchback has produced ten albums over the last 15 years and they are currently putting in studio time for the next two, due out in the fall of 2009.
Tickets for Switchback tickets are on sale now at the Soo Theatre box office, located at 534 Ashmun St. in Sault Ste. Marie. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 10-6 and Friday 10-4. Tickets for this benefit are $12 in advance and $15 at the door on the day of the show. Seniors and students are only $10 in advance or at the door.
Please come out for a great night of entertainment to support the Soo Theatre Project and these very talented musicians. For more information, call (906) 632-1930 or visit the website at www.sootheatre.org
Find out more at their website: Switchback
PDF version of the concert poster
YouTube Video: Switchback performing "Wild Irish Polkas" at a recent concert in Elk Rapids, Michigan (June 30, 2009)