Five side-stage must-see acts at Edmonton Folk Music Festival 2025
Headlining Saturday, The Roots are certainly 'the' checklist name at Edmonton Folk Music Festival 2025 — and having seen the hip-hop-R&B rolling juggernaut light up bouncy Calgary last year, I'd say don't miss this if you managed to get now sold-out tickets.
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For the perhaps less creaky among us, Thursday night's chipper, fist-pumping rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise and the widespread sonic wings of Mt. Joy closing Sunday are the two major draws for a slightly younger audience.
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And the quick-turnaround and higher-slotted return of Danielle Ponder Saturday night has basically zero chance of not being awesome. I think we'd all be happy to hear that gods-shaking cover of Radiohead's Creep again, if Ponder's willing.
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For your pleasure and spark conversation, here are five acts — by no means the only five, depending on what you crave — you might want to show up early for … with showtimes, of course!
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Cedric Burnside — 3:05 p.m. Sat. + 4:30 p.m. Sun. Stage 6 sessions, 5:35 Sat. Stage 1 concert
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One of the all-time North Country Fair great jams, this rising blues legend started out as his experimental bluesman granddad R.L. Burnside's drummer at age 13. So, you know, music in the blood here. Nominated for the same traditional blues album award Taj Mahal won at this year's Grammys, Hill Country Love is such a crisp and delightful recording you'll feel like you're hearing blues for the first time. Can't wait to see him again in person, especially alongside main-stager Taj Mahal at the Saturday afternoon session with Monophonics and Blue Moon Marquee.
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