Latest news with #folkfestival
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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. 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. 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. With all that out of the way, the side stages are especially bubbling with must-see concerts and performers this year. 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! Cedric Burnside — 3:05 p.m. Sat. + 4:30 p.m. Sun. Stage 6 sessions, 5:35 Sat. Stage 1 concert 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. Haley Heynderickx — 11 a.m. Sat. at Stage 3 + 11 a.m. Sun. at Stage 6 sessions, 4:25 p.m. Stage 5 concert With a whirling guitar-picking finger-style reminiscent of John Fahey and a proclivity for self-care introversion within nature and the ecosphere swimming through her lyrics and album titles, this Portland business-degree holder chose the right path, making seriously beautiful indie-pop music. If you're after a meditative, dreamy performer that makes you appreciate the dandelions, butterflies and clouds, look no further. Mama's Broke — 7:35 p.m. Fri. at Stage 2 + 11 a.m. Sat. at Stage 2 + 11 a.m. Sun. at Stage 7 sessions, 4:15 p.m. Sat. at Stage 7 concert Agnostically imprecise as they wander between bluegrass harmonies, Celtic loops, battlefield graveyard folk, Balkan punk and indeed a wink at Doom Metal, this string-heavy Halifax duo are for those who understand the fiddle is the open door to the devil but jump into the backseat anyway. Think Gillian Welch with a little more caffeine, and get ready for dance and foot percussion amid an inventory of mandolin, guitar, banjo and what people in pomade and bowties call violin. For more fiery fiddlin' ferocity, don't miss Brianna Lizotte at Nikamowin Stage 11 a.m. Saturday, PS, and Scotland's Talisk Celtic supergroup playing all over Sunday, with a 4:10 p.m. concert at Stage 5. Ian Noe — 12:35 p.m. Sat. + 3:05 p.m. Sun. sessions, 5:45 p.m. Sun. concert For a poetic visual storyteller summoning the ghost of EFMF all-time great John Prine (who he's opened for), get to know Noe's dark and brutally honest songwriting before the weekend. This east Kentucky troubadour has a couple amazing songs called Burning Down the Prairie and Methhead, if that gives you a tiny hint of the carnage through which he wanders. But while Noe certainly explores the darkness, his lyrical sinners also bump into sonic saints, and that cover of the Boss' secretly apocalyptic Born in the USA is perfect for our tense times. Way different, with an old-timey jazzy-country style, but I'll mention the '30s-radio-voiced Melissa Carper here as a sort of swingin'-soul opposite the Noe, though I think anyone with a cowboy shirt would love both. Her solo gig's 12:35 p.m. Sunday at Stage 5. Jesse Welles — 3:05 p.m. Sun. Stage 6 session, 5:40 p.m. Sun. Stage 3 concert For those of us with less reptilian concerns than 'steal power and make money no matter who gets hurt,' this has been an increasingly rough era of delighted, slow-boil rising fascism, endless Karen-gaslighting as pretend heroics. With acerbic satire and straightforward, elbows-up singalong BS-calling, the extremely talented and app-follower-millions-popular Jesse Welles reminds us that the fight to keep humanity human happens on a billion fronts (including you), with his targeted, news-riffing folksinging that feels too strangely rare these days, but I expect we'll see way more of it soon. fgriwkowsky@ @ Related B.C. camper heard yelling in the woods not in distress, just singing Nickelback Here's why these are Edmonton's five best summer festivals You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun. Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances.
BBC News
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sidmouth Folk Festival 'huge' for town as 2025 event starts
An annual music festival has become "really important" for a Devon coastal town, organisers have of people are expected to attend the 2025 Sidmouth Folk Festival, which starts on Friday and runs until 8 said 750 events and 200 workshops have been planned across more than 30 venues. Artists including Seth Lakeman and Cole Stacey are on the bill along with ceilidhs, storytelling sessions and Morris Garrett, part of the organising team for the festival, said it was "huge" for Sidmouth and helped give the town's businesses a boost. "You want to bring the town along with you and help local businesses because it's been a tough few years," Mr Garrett told John Acres at Breakfast on BBC Radio Devon."You talk to some of the established businesses and hotels and having something that puts Sidmouth on the map in a different way to other seaside towns is a great thing."It pulls different groups of people in and they come back - they're not just here for the festival, they come back out of season, so it's really important for the town." He added the festival - which started in 1955 - was challenging to set up, but it was a worthwhile exercise and had plenty to offer."You can do a bhangra workshop, you can go and sing in the festival choir, you can go and ceilidh dance outside, you can go to a talk."It's also one of those festivals where you can walk around town and bump into the artists that are playing and stop and have a chat."There's not many places like that where the barriers are down and you'll find some of the top artists are having a pint in the pub or playing a tune around town."
CTV News
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Home County Folk League returns to London for 49th season
Preparations are underway for the return of the Home County Folk League this Saturday. (Lauren Stallone/CTV News London) Preparations were underway Friday morning at Victoria Park in London Ont., as the Home County Folk League is set to make its return this Saturday for its 49th season. The festival took a brief pause in 2024, due to rising costs. Iconic Canadian band, Bedouin Soundclash will take the stage, along with several other talented performers. 'I think there's a lot of people that are going to say they love them from Soundcloud or on the radio,' said Darin Addison, Home County artistic director. 'There's other people that are going to say 'I don't know that band' and then they're going to hear a song and say 'oh I know that song.'' Organizers said the festival will look a little different this year. 'We have one stage set up right in the middle of the park,' said Anna Donaldson, Home County chair. 'Its going to be a one-day festival here on one stage.' In addition to live music this year's event will feature a craft show featuring pottery, jewellery, fine art and gourmet food. Visitors are invited to explore the park and enjoy the music. 'We encourage everyone to BYOB,' said Addison. 'Bring your own blanket or chair because we are going to be in the grass in the centre of the park.' Since 1974, the festival has been a beloved fixture of London's cultural identity, celebrating Canadian music, art and craft in the heart of the city. 'We have all sorts of new and exciting ideas and we are looking for feedback from our visitors for future years,' said Donaldson. The festival kicks off at 1:30 p.m.
CBC
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Final bow? N.L. Folk Festival ends with uncertain future
Bannerman Park in St. John's was filled with jigs and reels on Sunday, as the 49th annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival drew to a close — possibly for the final time. After a year of dire financial problems, Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society board president Julie Vogt told CBC News the organization needed more money and more tickets sold to make the push to its golden anniversary next year. "It's heartbreaking. It is gut-wrenching. It is wrong in our opinion. It is the most devastating thing, I think, in my career," said Vogt on Sunday. Many attendees had mixed feelings, too, as they hoped this year's festival wouldn't be the last. Volunteer Carole Moody said she'd like to see more local talent. "I don't think that necessarily the huge artist from away [is needed]. I mean, there's lots of other festivals locally that offer those [opportunities]," she said. Volunteer Tom Power is remaining optimistic that this year wasn't the last. "I know there's not a lot of people here this year but, you know, in the past years they've been here," said Power. "I think they just need to go back to their roots … something a little smaller." For 16-year-old fiddle player Sadie Greene the folk festival is an exciting opportunity. "They had Serena Ryder … [Saturday] night, and that was great, but I think they should have Newfoundland singers headlining each night," she said. Finances under scrutiny Vogt shared publicly the society's financial hardships earlier this year, which resulted in fundraising efforts to keep the festival going. Former board member and society vice-president Anthony McDonald has been a vocal critic of the operations, and said he has even been banned as a member and from attending the festival. The Canada Revenue Agency reported that the festival earned around $1.2 million last year, but spent around $1.4 million. McDonald said that money was overspent on staff. "As culturally important to Newfoundland as this [is] … we've probably overspent into oblivion now," he said. CBC News obtained a copy of a financial audit conducted by Bartlett Chartered Professional Accountants. The audit found that the society used restricted funds, meant to be held for unexpected events, without the board's approval. It also criticized the appointment of three roles — board chair, treasurer and executive director — to one person, Julie Vogt. Accountant Richard Bartlett wrote in a letter that the society faces high financial, operational and reputational risks due to "inadequate segregation of key responsibilities." "This lack of separation has compromised several internal controls, thereby increasing the organization's vulnerability to errors, fraud, and collusion," Bartlett wrote. WATCH | The folk festival exits stage left — potentially permanently: The N.L. Folk Festival takes a bow for this year — and could be turning out the stage lights 14 minutes ago Duration 2:59 The 49th annual Folk Festival wrapped up in Bannerman Park on Sunday, with lead organizers saying its days are likely numbered. The CBC's Abby Cole was there to take the temperature of festival goers. The audit also found that bank reconciliations were not performed, and that the society's financial policies manual was outdated. Vogt acknowledges the society's shortfalls, but said nobody stepped up to fill the treasurer role, which resulted in eight months of no financial statements and poor decision making. As for the money spent on staff, Vogt said they deserve to be paid. "Just because we work for a not-for-profit does not mean we don't have bills to pay. We have children to raise, we have food to put on our table," she said. Vogt chalked up the festival's demise to people not being interested in going anymore. "We are not the chosen ones, unfortunately. They would rather see others," said Vogt. Grim future for folk society Vogt gives the society about one more month, unless an angel donor steps in. If by some chance the festival continues into its 50th year, McDonald said he'd like to see more folk artists on the board itself. "I'd like to see some more open mindedness, more consultation with the community, less happening behind closed doors," he said. "I like to see it get back to the way it was. A board of people who really care about the organization, and are there just because they want to see it survive."
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Unplug and come home': Stanfest gears up for another unforgettable summer in Canso
A Stanfest sign is pictured at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Canso, N.S. (Source: Stan Rogers Folk Festival/JYazer) The Stan Rogers Folk Festival, known as Stanfest, returns to Canso this July with a mix of storytelling, culture, and classic East Coast charm. This year marks the festival's 28th edition, spotlighting artists from across Canada and beyond. 'It's such a dynamic environment – you never feel fully prepared,' said Steve McIntyre, the festival's artistic director in an interview with CTV Atlantic's Katie Kelly. 'But I feel great about where we are. I'm a lucky guy to be doing this.' McIntyre, now in his second full year at the helm, says the week-long celebration starts earlier than most people realize. Cultural programming kicks off Monday, July 21, with a series of community events leading up to the main-stage performances. 'There's a vibrant Acadian culture there, there's an African Nova Scotian community just outside of Guysborough proper,' said MacIntyre. This year's Thursday night show is a highly anticipated John Prine tribute concert – featuring his actual touring band fronted by a lineup of local artists paying homage to the late songwriting legend. 'His legacy is just that will live forever as one of the best folk roots songwriters of any generation,' said MacIntyre. From there, the festival transforms into a full-on folk camping experience, with three days of music, food, and connection. 'We sort of think of this as a like an unplug and come home,' said MacIntyre. More information, including the full lineup and tickets, is available online.
