Thousands of music fans packed the hill at Del Crary Park on Saturday, June 27, 2026, as Lawrence Gowan officially kicked off the 39th season of Peterborough Musicfest.
On a beautiful summer evening, Gowan proved from the moment he took the stage at 8 p.m. that, at 69 years old, he still has the energy, charisma and vocal power that have made him one of Canada’s most enduring performers.
Fans were treated to a string of favourites, including All the Lovers in the World, When There’s Time for Love, Dancing on My Own, and, of course, his signature 1985 hit, Strange Animal.
As the concert built toward its finale, Gowan delivered an absolutely powerful performance of A Criminal Mind before returning to the stage for an encore featuring Moonlight Desires.
For those who came to hear the hits, Gowan did not disappoint. From the opening number to the final encore, he held the audience in the palm of his hand, taking fans on a musical journey spanning more than five decades.
With more than six solo albums to his credit, numerous accolades including Juno Awards and SOCAN Classic Awards, and an impressive tenure with Styx since 1999 as the band’s lead keyboardist and vocalist, Gowan continues to demonstrate why he remains one of Canada’s premier live performers.
Peterborough MusicFest’s mission statement says it best:
“As Canada’s longest-running free-admission music festival, we provide extraordinary live music experiences that enrich Peterborough and the Kawarthas’ cultural and economic prosperity.”
If the opening night is any indication, the 2026 season is off to an outstanding start, with Gowan setting the bar high for the weeks of free entertainment still to come.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
