The Longest Road Show: Where Talent Meets the Test of the Tour Van
Heat, pressure, and endurance — that’s how coal becomes diamond, and it’s how great musicians are forged. In early 2019, three of Canada’s most powerful voices — Terra Lightfoot, Lindi Ortega, and Begonia — hit the pavement for The Longest Road Show, a collaborative concert tour that celebrated the grit and brilliance of road-tested artists.
Presented by Sonic Unyon and Live Nation, and stopping in cities like Ottawa, London, Toronto, and Kitchener (Feb 5 at Centre In The Square), this unique showcase wasn’t just about setlists. It was about sharing stories, stages, and spotlight — backed by an all-female rhythm section (Anna Ruddick on bass and Michelle Josef on drums) and joined by special guests at every stop. With each artist taking turns in a rotating format, audiences experienced an evolving, genre-crossing performance filled with discovery and celebration.
The tour supported important organizations like Women in Music Canada, MusiCounts, YWCA Canada, and Girls Rock Camp, tying its mission of empowerment directly to action.
The artists who put the tour together:
Terra Lightfoot, fresh off her Polaris Prize–nominated album New Mistakes, brought her roaring vocals and blues-drenched guitar to center stage, reminding audiences why she’s one of Canada's fiercest live performers.
Lindi Ortega shared haunting melodies from her concept album Liberty, blending cinematic soundscapes with influences from her Mexican-Irish heritage, drawing comparisons to Ennio Morricone and earning praise from All Things Considered.
Begonia (Alexa Dirks) turned vulnerability into power, delivering bold, soul-soaked pop songs that reflected on life, identity, and breaking conventions — with her breakout track “Juniper” still fresh in listeners’ minds.
Together, these three artists transformed every night of The Longest Road Show into a musical road trip through strength, survival, and sisterhood — proving that the longest roads often lead to the richest stages.
