Nova Scotia Music Week (NSMW) is kicking off in Wolfville this week and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the best musical talent our province has to offer to our town. With 99 performances taking place across three days in six venues (three of which are on our very own campus!) the festival promises an exciting and diverse experience for all fans of live music.

In its 27-year run (so far!) this is the first time NSMW will be held in Wolfville. The annual festival and conference gathers musical acts from across our province for a week of professional development, networking, and of course, performances showcasing the wide array of musical talents of Nova Scotian artists.

“Nova Scotia Music Week provides a tremendous opportunity for all of us to celebrate our local music industry,” says Nick Sharpe, Director of Events Acadia and Co-Chair of the local planning committee. “We get to see the next big artists to come out of Nova Scotia, right here in Wolfville. It wouldn’t be possible without the 100 plus volunteers dedicating their time through the week, our local venue partners, sponsors and supporters. Hosting NSMW is another step in establishing Wolfville and the Valley as a best-in-class destination for events.”

One of the many members of the Acadia community participating in NSMW is Acadia alum, Daniel James McFadyen (Business Administration, 2018), who will be playing Fountain Commons with his band on Friday night.

Daniel is thrilled to have artists from across the province converge in Wolfville. “I’m excited to show some local friends how incredible the musical talent in Nova Scotia is,” says Daniel. He’s excited about the flip side of the equation too. “When artists are touring, the Valley is always a place they’re excited to go.”

Though his degree is in Business, Daniel’s time at Acadia allowed him to put lessons from the classroom into action. He fondly recalls that Dr. Ryan McNeil (School of Business) allowed him to use his first EP as a project in class. “People are always surprised when I say my degree is in business because it’s so different from what I do now, but all the skills transfer over,” says Daniel. “Being a musician, I run my own business day to day.”

“Wolfville has a really supportive community that’s very arts based. It draws in artists of all kinds and people who love community,” says Daniel. “If it wasn’t for Acadia and Wolfville, I don’t know if I would be pursuing music today.”

Take a look at the full festival schedule, and be sure to catch Daniel and these other Acadia alum in these acts at Nova Scotia music week:

Avery Dakin
Colrain
The Dusty Halos
Freya Milliken
The Gilberts
India Gailey
Jennifer King
Julia Cunningham
norc
Pat LePoidevin
Pillow Fite
Postfun
Skunk Motel
Steel Cut Oats

Update: Daniel James McFadyen took home three of the 21 music awards announced at the finale of Nova Scotia Music Week. He won Folk/Roots Recording of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year. Congratulations to Daniel and his band!