Music in the Fields to welcome back Mackenzie Leigh Meyer
BY SCOTT STEPHENSON
As Lucknow’s Music in the Fields fast approaches, The Citizen connected with up-and-coming country star Mackenzie Leigh Meyer by phone to talk about her upcoming performance at the beloved country music festival.
Meyer has only been performing live for a few years, but she has already received a lot of attention for her strong vocal stylings and unique genre-blending style. Her neo-roots singles “Dive Bar Diva” and “Dial Tone” have gotten her noticed by country music fans and critics alike. After several years of being nominated, Meyer is this year’s Country Music Association of Ontario’s Roots Artist of the Year winner. Past winners include The Good Family, The Western Swing Authority and The Abrams.
The storytelling element of country music is one that drives Meyer’s songwriting style. “I like to say that my songs are kind of exaggerations of my truth… stuff I’m going through or the way I feel about what’s going on in the world. It’s good to start from a point of honesty.”
Her 2022 single “Barbie Doll” is a ferocious feminist anthem in its own right, but has she seen any benefits from Greta Gerwig’s smash hit film Barbie? “I’ve seen a little bit of a Barbie bump, but I’m also trying to make my own Barbie bump and I hope that that bump gets bigger … I’m going to keep pushing it because now is the time to own that Barbie thing!”
The Ancaster native grew up just outside of Hamilton, and attended Humber College, where she received a Bachelor of Music for Vocal Studies. After her graduation in 2017, she launched her country music career. “I’ve just kind of been releasing singles, and participating in the Ontario [music] community,” she said.
In 2019, Meyer competed in the Music in the Fields Emerging Artist Contest and placed second, scoring herself a spot performing on one of the side stages. She remembers the experience fondly. “It’s such a fun festival - the hospitality is exceptional, everyone is so kind, and all the fans that come out are always ready for a good time, which makes it fun for somebody like me. I’m on the newer side of the country music industry - but, even if the people might not know your stuff, they just want to hear music and be entertained. Last time it was a blast and I’m hoping this time is going to be the same!”
This year, Meyer has the opportunity to increase the number of people who know her stuff - she’s going to be performing on the main stage. “It’s something I’m really, really looking forward to. The people there are just super excited to hear music! It’s a much bigger stage than the one I played last time, but, for me, I guess a stage is a stage - the only thing I like to think about a bit more with a bigger stage is making sure that every inch of the stage is seeing me at some point. On a small stage, it’s pretty easy to cross from one side to the other.”
Meyer’s experiences at Music in the Fields go back much further than her 2019 performance - about 10 years ago she camped out in the field as a fan. “I just think there’s something so special about that summer outdoor festival vibe… I think it just lifts the spirit of all the people there.” She may be featured on the main stage this year, but Meyer is still just a fan at heart. “I’m a massive fan of Owen Riegling… I’m excited to see his set on Friday - he’s the person I’m looking forward to seeing most!”
Meyer’s recommendation for young people interested in joining Ontario’s country music community is to pursue authenticity. “What makes someone stand out is them being genuinely themselves,” she advised. Her recommendation for anybody going to Music in the Fields this year? “Be prepared for a great time!”
If you’re prepared to see Mackenzie Leigh Mayer have a great time being herself, get your tickets and head on over to Graceland in Lucknow on Saturday, Aug. 26.