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For Yvette Oliver, American artist Kesha has gotten her through the good and bad times in her life.
Whether it was a toxic relationship or the death of a loved one, Oliver said that Kesha taught her that you can be yourself and embrace your weirdness.
“I’m very grateful that Kesha shares her joy and pain because it was able to make me function,” said Oliver. “When people share their music, it really does make a difference to people.”
Which is why getting to see Kesha in her hometown of St. John’s at the Churchill Park Music Festival on July 17 is more than a dream come true for Oliver.
“I would have had to move and change my name, and never look at social media again if I couldn’t go see Kesha at home,” Oliver added.
Kesha will be the first headlining act for the annual festival’s 2026 two weekend lineup.
Yvette Oliver said she’s been preparing for the Kesha concert at Churchill Park Music Festival since getting her tickets. (Leila Beaudoin/CBC)
Oliver said “she died” when she heard that Kesha would be performing at the festival and has been preparing by getting her glitter and sparkly outfits together since she bought her tickets.
Even though she has seen Kesha in concert before, a major piece missing from that experience was her group of friends and what Oliver is looking forward to most about the concert is getting to dance with them all and seeing their excitement.
Other fans excited
Carla Hooper, who considers herself a Kesha super-fan, said she’s preparing for the concert by making sure she knows every song that will be performed. Hooper has even searched her setlist to be sure.
She’s been listening to Kesha for more than a decade and hopes her VIP ticket can get her close enough so Kesha will notice her — or at least the sign that she is making.
“I am hoping that she will just notice it and point it out, that would be cool,” said Hooper.
Hooper said her excitement for the concert has been growing every day as it brings her a step closer to getting to see someone she considers an idol.
Sheldon Reddigan shows off his new nails he got to celebrate Kesha’s upcoming show in St. John’s. (Leila Beaudoin/CBC)
Sheldon Reddigan remembers his early days listening to Kesha at school dances and on his home computer when he was a teenager.
He freaked out when he heard that she would be the headliner for the opening weekend, he said.
“I was screaming the whole day at work and playing all her songs, I’m still playing all her songs. I’m so excited,” said Reddigan.
This will be Reddigan’s first time seeing Kesha and hopes to hear some of her classic songs like TiK ToK and Blow as well as newer songs like Attention.
Like Oliver, he’s most looking forward to dancing the night away with his friends and coworkers who’re attending the concert with him.
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