INUVIK - If you're looking for an unforgettable musical experience, make sure you're in the audience at the arts festival concert this Saturday night.

Local musician Bryce O'Connor is bringing his style to the stage for the first act to kick off the Great Northern Arts Festival.

Bryce O'Connor is armed with years of songwriting and performing for audiences across Canada. This Saturday night, he's bringing his style of laid-back rock and roll to the crowds at the Great Northern Arts Festival concert, headlined by Lucie Idlout. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

O'Connor is opening for visiting singer Lucie Idlout.

He said he will be performing his own music Saturday night.

"It's sort of a pop-blues, adult-oriented, middle-of-the-road kind of thing," said O'Connor.

His track list for the gig includes songs he has written over his storied career as a musician who has travelled the country.

O'Connor used to be a full-time performer, taking his act on the road.

He started his own troupe as a high school student.

"We played here and there in high school," he said.

"When I was in my 20s, I was doing it full time, touring and being on the road."

Playing with O'Connor this weekend will be bassist Ian Morrice, guitarist Laurie MacNabb and drummer Mike Eyers.

"They're all very talented musicians," he said.

Although the band hasn't had too much time playing as a group, O'Connor is confident in the abilities of the motley crew.

"They have copies of the music we'll be playing, so we'll just have to work on the starts and stops," he said.

O'Connor has many inspirations for his music.

Lyrically, he draws from Leonard Cohen's deep, rough-around-the-edges style.

"He's such a talented writer," O'Connor said.

Vocally, he has been compared to Neil Diamond.

"I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing," he said with a laugh.

His personal favourite band is Pink Floyd, which is evident in when you hear his 1999 release Mother Earth.

O'Connor said he plans to perform tracks from his album this weekend.

"We'll be performing the title track off the album Mother Earth this weekend," he said.

"It's my environmental anthem that I wrote."

He said the song is a combined effort of his musical influences wrapped up in one song.

"It's done in a very low voice," he said.

O'Connor's father was a musician with his own band.

"I've always had music as a part of my life," he said.

He concluded the interview by saying he was happy to be back on stage and wants everyone to come out for a good solid performance.

"We're looking forward to performing with Lucie," he said.

The show starts at 8 p.m.