Canadian hit-maker Kim Mitchell returns to open 2023 Peach Fest

It's now official. Canadian rock legend Kim Mitchell will headline opening night of the 2023 Penticton Peach Festival this August.

It won't be the first time Mitchell and his band have graced the Peach Fest stage. They performed opening night duties in early August of 2018 as well, delivering an admirably lengthy, energetic set that kept one of the biggest turnouts in recent years rocking into the night.

Mitchell, who rose to prominence as founder/leader of the band Max Webster in 1976 and cranked up his notoriety even further when he opted to go solo in 1982, comes upon his iconic status honestly.

For starters, he's a hit-making machine. Along with long-time lyricist Pye Dubois, Mitchell has penned some of the snazziest rock/pop tunes to ever come out of this country.

Memorable stuff like Let Go The Line, A Million Vacations, Paradise Skies, Diamonds Diamonds, Patio Lanterns, Go for a Soda, Rock 'n Roll Duty, and I am a Wild Party. Particularly to Canadian music fans, the list reads like a best-of compilation of the late 20th century.

But that's not all. Mitchell's also a heck of a singer and a downright awesome guitarist. The latter especially comes forward in concert, where he'll alternately jazz up the joint and shred like a demon during extended jam sessions.

Experiencing Mitchell and his top-flight band in a live setting, as PentictonNow did that night in 2018, is nothing short of a thrill.

However, it must be noted that we're of an…um…mature age. As is Mitchell, who's just entered his seventh decade.

Will the younger members of the crowd appreciate his work and talent in a world where hip hop and pop -- and, inexplicably, K-Pop -- rule the roost?

We're not sure. The guy's a rock god, but there may be better ways of reaching the younger demographic.

Also playing on the opening night bill is Edmonton-based Celtic/folk/rock band and 28-year industry veteran Captain Tractor.

We didn’t know much about them apart from press release tidbits that reveal they've recorded eight albums over their career and "traveled rock and folk stages around the world."

So we did a little Internet research and found that Captain Tractor certainly has a following. Indeed, one of their YouTube videos -- "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" -- hovers near the million view mark and has elicited a seemingly endless string of hyper-enthusiastic comments.

"This will be Captain Tractor's first-ever concert in Penticton and we know people will love them," said Kendall. "They are the ultimate party, festival band."

More announcements on the 2023 Penticton Peach Festival, running from Aug. 9 to 13, are expected in the next few weeks. For more information on activities, entertainment and how to volunteer and/or sponsor, hit the website here.