The Fugitives
Often called “the battle that made Canada,” the Battle of Vimy Ridge came at a devastating cost, with more than 10,000 Canadian casualties.
In RIDGE, acclaimed musician and storyteller Brendan McLeod and JUNO-nominated folk ensemble The Fugitives take a fresh and thought-provoking look at Vimy Ridge, challenging the myths surrounding the battle and exploring the many ways we understand and remember our past.
Blending powerful storytelling with live music, RIDGE features songs written by frontline soldiers during the First World War—often known as “trench songs.” These songs, frequently parodies of popular tunes of the day, gave soldiers a way to express fear, frustration, grief, and resistance.
The Fugitives bring their JUNO-nominated album Trench Songs to the stage, creating new melodies and arrangements inspired by the original soldiers’ words. The result is an intimate, stripped-back musical experience that gives new voice to these powerful stories.
Vivid, kinetic, and deeply moving, RIDGE is both a journey through history and a personal exploration of how we remember, how we grieve, and what we choose to carry forward. Ultimately, it is a passionate reflection on the cost of war—and a powerful argument against the exploitation of young lives.
