Big Sugar has been Canadian rock royalty for over 30 years, and shows no sign of stopping. 

Led by singer and guitar-god Gordie Johnson, the rock-roots-reggae band has had many incarnations for its fiery live shows, at times packing the stage with horns, backup singers, and extra percussion.

But returning from the pandemic, Gordie has stripped Big Sugar down to the basics again. 

Photo credit: Big Sugar

“We’re back to being a power trio,” Johnson tells VictoriaNow.

“It gives me a chance to dig into the guitar a lot more. It’s turned into a really powerful show again, and I’m really excited about getting back to performing.”

The best-selling band that's dominated airwaves with hits like “Diggin’ a Hole,” “Dear Mr, Fantasy,” and “If I Had My Way” plays this Saturday at the Laketown Rock Festival, on the bill with John Fogerty and Keb’ Mo’.

“There’s a lot more room for improvisation, because by nature it’s just so much more agile,” says Johnson. “We can turn on a dime, and with three guys, we can read each other’s body language.”

One of those guys is 22-year-old bass player Ben Lowe, the son of bassist Garry Lowe — the Big Sugar bass staple for three decades, who tragically passed away four years ago.

Johnson says there was no question who would fill Garry’s big bass presence. After all, Ben grew up with Big Sugar’s sound from birth.

“He has a definite knowledge of the history of Big Sugar music that nobody is ever going to learn like that. I can get into the history of all the different ways we’ve played these songs and I’ve got a guy up there who instinctively knows what’s up.”

With Ben and and drummer Joe Magistro (who has played with Black Crowes and B52s), Big Sugar is beginning to perform more and more since the pandemic, gearing up for a future full-on tour. 

Johnson says getting back on the bike was a long time coming.

“Not just a bike —  it feels like someone just brought us a brand new bike,” Johnson laughs. “Like, wow this is way cooler than the old bike and it’s got big fat tires on it too, man.”

Tickets and info for Laketown Rock can be found here.

Gordie Johnson knows his power trio will come out swinging.

“Fewer people make it a bigger…Big Sugar.”