Photo Review: Nicholas Campbell & Blue Hazel at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — Beneath the warm lights of Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, and in the wake of ice and cold air, a large and familiar crowd gathered for Nicholas Campbell’s second annual hometown performance.

Joined by local folk trio Blue Hazel, the night showcased original tunes, carefully curated covers and collective musical excellence from a lineup of Peterborough-area artists.

Blue Hazel opens the evening.

For those familiar with Peterborough’s vibrant but intimate music community, the members of Blue Hazel — singer Caitlin O’Connor and siblings Rico and Meisha Brown — likely require little introduction. The trio performed using a minimalist setup: two catch-all microphones placed between the three musicians, capturing their rich harmonies and acoustic instrumentation with simplicity and charm.

Their set featured a well-crafted selection of covers, from modern pop to classic hits and local favourites, all reimagined in the group’s folk style. Rico alternated between upright bass, resonator guitar and acoustic, adding texture and tonal variety to the performance. Caitlin contributed acoustic guitar, tambourine and shaker, while Meisha played rhythm guitar and delivered standout harmonies.

A cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Atlantic City proved to be a highlight — adapted gracefully to the trio’s aesthetic. Throughout the performance, songs were thoughtfully dedicated to friends, family and audience members, creating an atmosphere that was both warm and intimate.

Nicholas Campbell delivers rockabilly flair

After intermission, Nicholas Campbell took the stage under a wash of red light, clad in satin blue — a nod, perhaps, to his title track’s opening line: “We're gonna have a ball tonight.”

Campbell’s set marked a clear stylistic shift from the mellow folk of Blue Hazel to a high-energy blend of rockabilly and roots rock. As his Instagram bio puts it, “Rockabilly rules, OK?”

The band featured several seasoned musicians, including Bailieboro’s Jimmy Bowskill of Blue Rodeo on upright bass, local fiddle player and singer-songwriter Melissa Payne, Aaron Hoffman on keys, and Brandon Munro on drums. Together, the group delivered a tight and dynamic performance with an improvisational edge that felt as spontaneous as it was well-rehearsed.

Highlights included ripping solos, crowd-pleasing covers, and the addition of guest vocalist Jeanne Truax for a few numbers mid-set. A standout moment came near the end when Campbell and Bowskill traded guitar and bass solos to the crowd’s delight.

The encore featured Campbell playing a hand-built guitar gifted to him by local luthier Colin Lewis — a fitting tribute to both local craftsmanship and Campbell’s rising status in Peterborough.

With a tight band, infectious energy and a growing catalogue of originals, Nicholas Campbell delivered a performance that lived up to the buzz. For fans of roots music, rockabilly and local talent, the next opportunity to see him live shouldn’t be missed.

Review by Calvin Bakelaar. Photos by Matthew Paquette.