Area 506 Tickets Nearly Sell Out In Less Than A Week

Tickets for the Area 506 music festival have nearly sold out less than a week after sales began, according to festival founder Ray Gracewood.

Gracewood said he’s happy to see ticket sales are moving and residents are interested in enjoying live music again. He said it’s great to get a sense from concertgoers that the lineups and this year’s concept have been well received.

“It’s an incredible validation that people are excited about the ability to experience live music again after such a long break since Covid,” said Gracewood.

As New Brunswick’s reopening plan slowly takes effect, Gracewood said festival organizers worked to create a plan that would be successful regardless of the province’s recovery level. It’s a good reflection on the state of New Brunswick, its residents and its leadership, he said.

“The feedback that we’re getting is that people are very appreciative that we’re moving forward and we’ve got a plan that seems as though it’s going to work,” said Gracewood.

This year, Area 506 will host its yearly festival at Long Wharf, hosting entertainers like James Mullinger, Joel Plaskett, Nikki Payne, Measha Brueggergosman, Matt Mays and Alan Doyle. Festivalgoers can buy tickets for either six or 10-person pods to enjoy the music with people from their 15-person bubble.

Gracewood said the 79 pods would be similar to mini VIP areas, with table service to the bars and close proximity to restrooms.

With the festival aimed to run more than 10 concerts over five weeks beginning July 16, Gracewood said even if New Brunswick lifts all of its Covid-19 restrictions by Aug 2, the original plan still stands.

“We’ve been incredibly confident in the amount of work that’s gone into creating a plan that feels safe and comfortable and responsible considering all the external circumstances,” he said.

“We would be very hard-pressed to change our plan and change our approach, regardless of how the regulations change.”

With files from Tamara Steele.

Aaron Sousa is a summer intern for Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.