Vancouver Island trio Lion Bear Fox will take to the Max Cameron Theatre stage on Friday, May 4, bringing a show to town that group member Ryan McMahon describes as “folk rock and roll with a lot of gospel and blues and roots.”
McMahon and fellow singer/songwriters Christopher Arruda and Cory Woodward are no strangers to Powell River, having previously visited to perform at music festivals, house concerts and for solo performances.
“We have a great connection there,” says McMahon. “We played together at Sunshine Music Festival three years ago; it was a great experience and we were treated really well.”
McMahon says house concerts are kind of like a Tupperware party with music.
“They are always a fun time for all,” he says. “We just kind of home invade and play in front of 40 people crammed in a living room.”
The next local performance will mark the band’s first visit to the Max, but McMahon says all three members have gained experience together and as solo artists in a variety of venues over the years.
“We grew up playing in clubs when we were fronting rock and roll bands when we were a little bit younger,” he says. “Now we play theatres all across the country, which is great because they are listening audiences; they can sit down, go along for the ride and hear the stories behind the songs. It’s right up our alley.”
With more than 30 years of combined experience, the trio came together in 2012 and released its breakthrough EP We’d Be Good Men the following year. Last year the group released a second, self-titled album.
McMahon says each member brings their own personality to the group. Woodward (Bear), Arruda (Lion) and McMahon (Fox) take turns singing and contributing songs.
“We are a band comprised of three separate writers and performers taking turns on lead vocals,” says McMahon.
Max Cameron Theatre manager Jacquie Dawson has seen Lion Bear Fox play live and says she is excited to have the band perform for music fans in Powell River.
“I first saw them when I was working backstage at the Filberg Festival in Comox,” says Dawson. “I knew then it would be an honour to have them at the Max.
Tickets are available from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Thursday at Powell River Academy of Music, from 8 am to 4 pm Mondays through Fridays at Powell River Peak, and online at maxcamerontheatre.ca or at the door 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Lion Bear Fox at the Max
When: 7:30 pm, Friday, May 4
Where: Max Cameron Theatre
Price: $24 (adults), $12 (students)
Information: maxcamerontheatre.ca
