Sask Jazz Fest Unveils Modest Mouse as First Headliner for July Festival
Sask Jazz Fest Announces Modest Mouse as First Headliner

Sask Jazz Fest Unveils Modest Mouse as First Headliner for July Festival

In an exciting announcement made on Tuesday, the Sask Jazz Fest has revealed that the Grammy-nominated U.S. alternative rock band Modest Mouse will be the first headliner for its annual summer festival. The band is scheduled to perform on July 7 at Victoria Park in Saskatoon, marking one of the ticketed dates during the seven-day event.

Festival Details and Schedule

The Sask Jazz Fest will run from July 5 to July 11 at Victoria Park, featuring a mix of ticketed and free events. Specifically, three days will require tickets, while four days will be free for attendees to enjoy. The July 7 performance, headlined by Modest Mouse, will kick off with stage performances starting at 5:30 p.m., featuring opening acts The Naysayers and SNACKTIME before Modest Mouse takes the stage at 9 p.m.

Modest Mouse, formed in 1993, has released seven studio albums, with their latest being The Golden Casket in 2021. Their inclusion adds significant star power to the festival lineup, drawing fans of their distinctive alt-rock sound.

Rebranding and Community Input

This announcement follows a recent rebranding effort by the festival, which changed its name from the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival to Sask Jazz Fest. The rebrand was conducted over several months with community input gathered through an online survey, reflecting a refreshed identity for the event.

Ticket Information and Pricing

The festival is introducing a tiered ticket pricing structure this year to benefit early buyers and support the non-profit organization. Here are the details:

  • Tier 1: 250 tickets available at $65 each.
  • Tier 2: 250 tickets available at $70 each.
  • Regular Advance: Tickets priced at $80 after tiers sell out.
  • Day of Show: Tickets will cost $90.

Shannon Josdal, executive director of the festival, emphasized the importance of early ticket sales, stating, "Early ticket sales make a world of difference to the festival, as a non-profit arts organization. But we also want to make the festival as affordable and accessible as possible. So this new tiered pricing system is the best of both worlds."

How to Purchase Tickets

Ticket sales for the July 7 performance opened on Tuesday at 8 a.m. They can be purchased through the following methods:

  1. Online at the festival's website, saskjazz.com.
  2. In-person at the Broadway Theatre box office.
  3. By phone at 306-652-6556.

Future Announcements

Additional headliners for the festival will be announced on March 3 and March 6 via the Sask Jazz Fest website. All other shows are set to be revealed on March 9, with tickets going on sale as each date is announced. This staggered approach allows festival-goers to plan and secure their spots for what promises to be a vibrant celebration of music in Saskatoon.