MAY 30, 2026
KickAX
Featuring performances from Hannah Freeze, Moira & Claire, and Field Guide
Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 6pm
Doors open at 530pm
Leonard’s Gate | 602 Main St. , Sussex, NB
It’s official! KickAX 2026 is taking over Leonard’s Gate on May 30th, bringing an unforgettable night of live music in support of your favourite local arts centre right to the heart of downtown Sussex. Surrounded by the energy of our vibrant downtown core, this open-air celebration promises big sound, great company, and that unmistakable KickAX atmosphere.
We’re beyond excited to welcome an incredible lineup featuring local favourite Hannah Freeze, whose powerhouse vocals and heartfelt songwriting always leave a lasting impression; the dynamic duo Moira & Claire, known for their rich harmonies and infectious folk energy; and the amazing indie folk sounds of Field Guide, bringing layered anthems and a sound that feels made for a warm May night downtown. From intimate moments to hands-in-the-air singalongs, this lineup truly brings something for everyone.
KickAX is more than just a concert — it’s a celebration of the arts and of community. Gather your friends, explore downtown, and get ready to kick off the season with live music under the open sky. Sussex, this is your night.
About the performers
Field Guide
Over the past five years, Field Guide has quietly built a reputation as one of Canada’s most compelling new songwriters. With a sound that blends folk intimacy, indie production, and timeless pop sensibilities, he’s taken his music from a Winnipeg basement to international stages and festivals.
After his 2019 debut Full Time, Field Guide broke out with the 2020 EP You Were, whose title track found a wide audience thanks to early Spotify support. Subsequent projects showcased his range: collaborations with Toronto indie-darling Georgia Harmer, debut full-length Make Peace With That, and a full reimagining of Coldplay’s Parachutes featuring Lizzy McAlpine, Begonia, and Dizzy.
His 2022 self-titled LP, co-produced with longtime collaborator Kris Ulrich, was recorded during one of Manitoba’s coldest winters on record and later mixed by Daniel James Goodwin (Bonny Light Horseman, Goose), the record led to an 18-city European tour supporting Penny & Sparrow, followed by Field Guide’s first North American headline run with sold-out stops at Mohawk in Austin and The Basement in Nashville. Festival highlights include Winnipeg Folk Festival, Mariposa, Treefort, Mile of Music, SXSW and The Great Escape. He has also spent much time on the road as support for artists including Bahamas, SYML, Wild Rivers, and Leif Vollebekk.
2024’s Rootin for Ya pushed his sound further — solitary late night recording of woozy synths and drum machines paired with completely live-off-the-floor tracks. After completing his sophomore 30 date North American tour in 2024, and an 18 date US tour supporting Austin’s Penny & Sparrow in April 2025, Field Guide is now in the final stages of completing his forthcoming LP— a body of work that he’s never felt more proud of — the record is set to begin rolling out in early 2026.
Moira and Claire
The intricate harmonies of sisters Moira and Claire first rang out from the backseat of the family car on cross-country road trips when they were kids. They’ve come a long way since, but the strong sibling bond of their musical chemistry remains the same. Their songwriting is full of subtle sophistication, perfectly unexpected moments, and hard-won lyrical wisdom. The clever simplicity they’re able to draw out of life’s complexities makes for honest, intimate, and relatable songs that have connected with thousands of people globally. Their sophomore album – ‘it’s all a mess!’ – is due out in summer 2026.
Hannah Freeze
Hannah is a Canadian singer/songwriter from Sussex, New Brunswick. She has been playing and writing music all her life, though has most recently used writing as a way to process her journey into motherhood in the midst of the pandemic. As a mom of two, she now writes music as a solo artist, using song-writing as a tool for processing life as it happens in the small and often hard to capture moments. She released her first single as a solo artist, “The Gardener,” in 2023, and her second single, “Her,” on May 17, 2024. She hopes to release an EP soon.
Want to volunteer?
We are searching for music lovers to help with our event, and in exchange you get to enjoy the concert free of charge (with just a little elbow grease)!
Email Emily at marketing@axartscentre.ca for more information!
Cancellation Policy
We understand that schedules can change, and despite a registrant’s best intentions, they may not be able to attend an event.
Thank you
to our incredible partners who helped this event come to life.