Luke Combs announced as 1st artist in return of Cavendish Beach Music Festival

After a two-year absence due to COVID-19 health restrictions, the Cavendish Beach Music Festival is moving forward with plans for its 12th year next July.

On Wednesday, it announced on social media that U.S. country star Luke Combs will be one of its headliners. 

"What better way to come back than come back with a bang with ... our most requested act probably over the last three or four years," said festival CEO Ben Murphy.

Murphy said more artists will be added to the lineup in the coming weeks. He said fans, and people who work at the festival, have missed it.

"We're really looking forward to putting on a great show and a well-organized event for all the people who come to the festival," he said. 

Tickets for the festival, scheduled for July 7-9, go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. There will be no concert on the Sunday this year.

The Cavendish Beach Music Festival usually draws more than 30,000 people to the tourist area on P.E.I.'s North Shore. Murphy said they will continue to work with P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office but are hoping the outdoor concert will be at least close to full capacity.

The festival has drawn world-class musicians and won multiple awards since its inception in 2009.

Miranda Lambert and Dan + Shay were among the artists scheduled to perform in 2020 before it was cancelled.

Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Eric Church Shawn Mendes and have performed at the festival in previous years.