One of Saskatoon's premier original bands, The Great Fuss, have steadily built a reputation for their emotive and energetic performances. With an homage to the “pulsing piano melodies and indelible electric guitar riffs of classic rock, [The Great Fuss] go for a generational collision, capturing an old-school vibe within a contemporary kaleidoscope of rhythm, lyrics and low-fi pop rock riffs that earworm into your consciousness (Tinnitist, 2024)

The great Bio:

With an homage to the pulsing piano melodies and indelible electric guitar riffs of classic pop-rock, The Great Fuss capture a generational collision of old-school Brit pop vibes with contemporary indie rock influences. A whirlwind of kaleidoscopic rhythms, lyrics and riffs, earworm their way into your consciousness (Tinnitist 2024).

A long standing act in Saskatoon’s music scene, The Great Fuss, have steadily built a reputation for their emotive and energetic performances. Their visibly joyful approach to music have made them a desirable opening act for many internationally-acclaimed acts in 2024, including Steven Page (The Barenaked Ladies), Chris Murphy (Sloan), Five Alarm Funk and Wide Mouth Mason while performing many summer festivals including Ness Creek Music Festival, Lakeside Music Festival, Haywire Music Festival and Doylefest.

The Great Fuss entered into the music scene in 2015. Drawing musical inspiration from artists like The Beatles, Spoon and The Kinks, the band released two full-length albums The Great Fuss (2018) and Late Quakes (2022) and their EP Root Thyself! (2019). Their latest single release “It Isn’t Criminal” (2024) blends thoughtful lyrics with captivating rhythms, enhanced by the expert touch of Jim Eno’s mixing prowess.”It’s an incredible honor to have Jim Eno mix our latest track,” says Pete Oldridge, frontman of The Great Fuss. “For me, these collaborations are a significant validation of all the hard work put into the music. We're excited to share our live set and this new track with fans of all ages.” And therein lies the magic of The Great Fuss; for with each show, whether a sold out club show in their hometown, summer family-friendly festivals or an acoustic encore on the floor with the audience because the sound tech had to leave but the crowd wouldn’t take no for an answer, they create a micro-universe that resonates within the ears and hearts of every listener.

Genre:

Indie Rock

Reference Points:

Spoon, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Sloan, Arctic Monkeys

Festivals Testimonials

Ness Creek Music Festival

“We've presented The Great Fuss for the festival and our year-round events as they are definite crowd-pleasers, professional in their work, are community-minded, and are great in workshops (very skilled players with various influences). Show your audience what all the fuss is about!”

-Deborah Aitken, Artist Booking Manager (Ness Creek Music Festival)

Waskesui Lakeside Music Festival

“As organizers of the Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival, we have had the honor of working with, and being entertained by, The Great Fuss on many occasions. The band is always one of our crowd favourites – strong energy, professional talent, solid stage presence, and great fun to listen to. Pete Oldridge and his team are very good communicators (leading up to and during our Festival). Above all, they are a real pleasure to work with. The Great Fuss has been an important part of many Lakeside Festival weekends so far – and we would gladly welcome them back for (yet another) performance in the future!”

Jim Kerby, Festival Co-Chair (Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival)

Haywire Farm Festival

As the festival Host and Organizer for Haywire Farm Festival I have had the pleasure of working with Pete Oldridge and The Great Fuss. Their professionalism, creativity, and passion for music are unmatched. The Great Fuss brings an infectious energy to the stage that captivates our audience and elevates the entire festival experience.

Their live performances are a highlight of our event, consistently drawing large crowds and leaving attendees raving about the show long after it ends. Beyond their exceptional talent, front man Pete Oldridge is a joy to collaborate with. He is approachable, reliable, and always goes above and beyond to engage with the community, whether through shows, workshops or fundraisers. Having The Great Fuss at our festival not only enhances our lineup but also strengthens our mission to foster a vibrant music scene. Their involvement resonates deeply with our audience, making a significant positive impact on the festival and the community as a whole.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Great Fuss for any festival or event. Their contribution is invaluable, and I look forward to working with them again in the future.

-Patti Propp, Host and Organizer, Haywire Farm Fest