George Belanger, lead vocalist and guitar player for Harlequin, is looking forward to taking to the stage, at Affinity Place, on June 18, for Rockin' the Games. Belanger and the rest of Harlequin are prepared to bring their classic rock sounds to the Energy City, as the last fundraiser for the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games before the games take place.
“It’s always exciting to be in front of a crowd,” said Belanger. “We like sporting events and events that have to do with sports, because, generally, people come and they’re a spirited crowd. It’s always good to play for a spirited audience.”
Belanger said Harlequin, having reached its 40th anniversary this year, has performed at venues across Canada, and that “there aren’t too many places we haven’t played at this point.”
He added, “I still get stumped the odd time we end up in a place I’ve never been to, but it’s becoming rarer and rarer,” he added.
Belanger stated he and the rest of the band are excited to play in Estevan, a location he admits he’s played in “at least a dozen times before.”
He added the band has made plenty of friends and fans within the city, whom he is excited to see again.
When asked his thoughts on performing in the high-energy setting of a cabaret-style concert, Belanger noted the band has plenty of experience in such a setting, and enjoys that type of atmosphere.
He said that it’s difficult for him to describe the age of the fans he expects to see, since he’s often surprised by how many young people come out to listen.
“It always blows our minds how many young people know our music. I guess they listen to the radio and hear their parents’ music, and maybe in some cases, their grandparents’ music, but young people still love classic rock,” said Belanger. “I guess it’s just roots.”
Belanger described Harlequin’s sound as one that is still evolving, but that has a strong element of classic rock. He noted that he, himself, as a musician, had an interesting beginning for a rock singer.
“Believe it or not, I started out singing in an R&B band, and I got brought over to the other side when the company I was working for wanted a certain sound to fit with the demographic that was buying records,” said Belanger. “I still write R&B and soul, and have another band on the side.”
Belanger said he is also looking forward to playing classic rock with Prism, adding the two bands have done a number of concerts together, and are on a busy schedule this season, that will be taking them from the Prairies to the Maritimes.
“We take turns starting and ending,” said Belanger with a chuckle. “I think we’re starting at Rock the Games, because they next day we’re in Winnipeg, at the Red River Exhibition. We’’re also playing with Prism in Halifax at a festival, and it’s going to be the other way around with them starting the show.
Of Prism, Belanger also said, “We came up at the same time, playing pop-rock and classic rock, and we’ve known each other for a very long time and are very close. We meet up on the road a lot, and are still all great friends.”
