Kelli McRobert | Jul 04, 2025


The hills of Frontenac County came alive this past weekend—June 28 and 29—as the inaugural Line Spike Frontenac Festival transformed serene countryside into a high-octane haven of music, community, and retro charm. The buzz built steadily as bright orange pylons lined Rutledge Road and trucks rolled in, raising a stage from the earth like a phoenix of sound. By the time the weekend hit, families with comfy loungers and well-stocked coolers had claimed prime grassy real estate, eager for what was to come.
Dubbed a “Power of Positivity Musical Harvest,” Line Spike was the passion project of Get2ThePoint Productions and promoter Jeremy Campbell, inspired by the spirit of Expo ’67 and dreams hatched on a remote lake. And the dream? It came alive, controversy aside, in a tapestry of music, laughter, nostalgia, and plenty of rock and roll magic.
The energy surged on the final night around 8 PM when organizers surprised the crowd with an announcement: the final evening’s performance was free to attend. The word spread quickly on Facebook, and fans came rolling in. The surrounding knolls quickly filled with keen music lovers who weren’t going to miss a note. Even a few parked cars along the roadside sat motionless, passengers peering out curiously, perhaps unaware they were welcome to join the party.
Burton Cummings, a Canadian icon, brought the house—or rather, the hills—down. At 77, proudly reminding the crowd he’ll be 78 come December 31, he owned the stage with timeless classics like American Woman, Stand Tall, and No Sugar Tonight. As the band launched into the latter, plumes of smoke rose—some from cigars, others from cannabis—as the crowd mouthed every word. It was a scene both contemporary and timeless, echoing the sneaky corner tokes of concerts past but now celebrated out in the open.
With a tambourine in hand, Burton was a showman through and through—looping it over the guitarist’s guitar neck, grinning, playful. The energy was contagious. Spectators leapt from their chairs to dance, while others swayed and puffed on cigars like old-school concert royalty. A sea of bobbing heads and waving arms moved as one, soaking up the authentic Guess Who sound as the guitarists—some of whom have toured with Burton for over 20 years—delivered a performance as tight as it was soulful. It was classic rock at its finest, reaching new generations while taking older ones back in time.
The two-day lineup, to name but a few, entertained the masses seamlessly:
Walk Off the Earth got the crowd bouncing with a Beatles mash-up and their signature take on Somebody That I Used to Know -all band members playing one guitar; So Fab!
Chantal Kreviazuk gave a heartfelt set, sharing new songs and a touching tribute to Canada; Awesome!
Alan Frew of Glass Tiger brought 80s nostalgia roaring back; Great! and Rising stars like Kelsi Mayne and Madison Galloway added youthful flair with genre-blending fire. Well-done!
The Maple Leaf Vendor Village was a food lovers’ festival, featuring oven-fired pizza, smoked beef brisket, lemonade, home-baked treats, cheesecake, and artisanal treasures.
As the final chords rang out and the crowd roared for an encore, it was clear: Line Spike Frontenac 2025 wasn’t just a concert—it was an experience. Music as a memory, rock and rhythm as a shared language, and a joyful nod to Canada’s proud creative spirit. If this were the first note in a new festival tradition, the encore can’t come soon enough. As a moon sliver rose in the night sky, the vendor booths gradually packed up, and guests—sun-kissed and smiling—wandered happily to their cars along well-lit paths.
Final thoughts…. As the amps go quiet and the lights dim low, we carry the sound in our hearts. Thank you for giving us something to remember! Massive love to the crew, the tireless volunteers, the ever-watchful security, the behind-the-scenes organizers, and the legendary roadies—your hustle made the harmony happen. You didn’t just set the stage... You set the vibe.
Until next time—rock on!” 

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