The first CD Nick Earle ever owned was by Nickelback. Now his band is opening for them

In central St. John's, the typically wide-open Churchill Park now has a large stage, lights, speakers, tents — and lots of porta-potties — in preparation for the Churchill Park Music Festival this weekend. 

Friday night's headliner is the Juno award-winning band Nickelback, and opening the show will be St. John's band Nick Earle and the Reckless Hearts, who will be performing at the festival for the first time.

"I'm beyond excited," said frontman Nick Earle. "To get a chance to get on a big stage and open for a pretty legendary act, it's a great opportunity.

"Someone told me before… you can't tell the difference between nervousness and excitement, and I'm just going to believe that."

Along with the other openers, the James Barker Band and the Arkells, Earle and the Reckless Hearts — guitarist Andrew Rodgers, bassist Clare Follett and drummer Dan George — will be performing to a soldout crowd. 

A meaningful opportunity

Nick Earle and the Reckless Hearts have been performing for six years now, including shows with the same booking agency as Nickelback, Earle said, which led to them being asked to be the opening act. 

Earle said he's inspired by Nickelback's pop-rock sound. The first CD he ever owned was the band's All the Right Reasons, he said.

"I still have it," said Earle. "I'm probably going to bring it tomorrow and see what happens."

Earle said there have been a lot of changes within the band over the last six years.

"We've gone through a bunch of different transitions sonically in our live show and added a member," said Earle, "and over the last five or six years, it's grown into something that we're really proud of."

Rarin' to go

Earle says the band is ready to go for Friday's show. Concertgoers can expect a high-energy show from the Hearts.

"It's strong choruses and harmonies, and a bunch of guitar solos."

Earle also encourages anyone with a ticket to get to the event early, as Earle hits the stage at 4:45 p.m. 

"Come right up front, as close as you can get, and I'll be sure to interact and have a good time with you," said Earle, "Don't miss it, it's going to be a good one."