Moncton musicians raise funds for Fort McMurray

A Moncton band has organized a benefit concert Saturday for those affected by wildfires in the Fort McMurray area of Alberta.

The Motorleague has played in Fort McMurray several times over the last decade.

"We have a lot of friends there and now it's pretty much decimated. It's just a gut–wrenching feeling to imagine what these people are going through," said Don Levandier, the band's lead singer.

"We couldn't sit by and not do anything at all."

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Levandier said within a day of hearing about the evacuation of Fort McMurray he started calling all of his musician friends.

However, he said many of those bands had already been booked to play other shows this weekend around the region. 

"Pretty much everyone I know came back and said, 'Oh my gosh, we would absolutely love to do this, we'd love to be a part of it,'" said Levandier.

He said many of the bands that couldn't play the show are spreading the word to local fans and some have committed to setting up donation boxes at their own shows this weekend. 

By late Thursday, Levandier was turning performers away as he had so many people who wanted to be part of the benefit.

"I knew Moncton musicians would definitely want to step up," Levandier said.

'It's a lot like Moncton'

Levandier said the first time The Motorleague played Fort McMurray they almost expected to arrive at a giant work camp.

"We got there and discovered quickly that it's a real community. It's a lot like Moncton. It's exactly like Moncton, a similar size," he said.

The band is not setting a fundraising target but hopes to raise as much as possible.

"To me, it's not really even about the amount of money that's raised, it's more about the fact I want to do something," said Levandier.

The line up for Saturday's show includes:

• Josue Goguen
• Don Levandier of The Motorleague
• Denis Babineau of Pointless to Grow Up
• Amy Stone
• Chris Colepaugh
• Ryan Langille from Hone The Craft
• Josee Mills
• Kyle Birt
• Corey Hache of FM Berlin

The benefit takes place Saturday from two to five p.m. at Plan B Lounge on St. George Street and is open to everyone.

All money raised goes to the Alberta Fire Emergency Appeal through the Canadian Red Cross.

Information Morning - Moncton4:59Benefit event for Fort McMurray

Don Levandier of The Motorleague is organizing a benefit event for Fort McMurray