Rock out in the river valley!

We are unbelievably excited to announce this year’s prestigious artists and local treasures.

See our main stage lineup below…

2025 Performer Lineup

SATURDAY | SEPT 6

All Day - DJ Effy In The Sky

12:00 PM - Kija Lado

1:00 PM - Mallory Chipman

1:45 PM - Sugar Swing Dance Lesson

2:30 PM - Brad Shigeta Swingtime Band

4:15 PM - Secondhand Dreamcar

5:15 PM - Sizwe Marimba Band

6:00 PM - Manny V. Y Su Esquina Latina

7:45 PM - Tea Fannie

9:00 PM - Cadence Weapon

FRIDAY | SEPT 5

All Day - DJ Suzanne Summers

6:00 PM - Joe Nolan

7:30 PM - The Denim Daddies

9:00 PM - Shred Kelly

SUNDAY | SEPT 7

All Day - DJ Amy van Keeken

12:00 PM - Social Eyes

1:00 PM - Aaron Parker

2:15 PM - Rosina Cove

3:30 PM - Starpainter

4:45 PM - Billie Zizi

6:15 PM - The Hearts

Cadence Weapon

Cadence Weapon is Edmonton-born, Hamilton-based rapper, producer, writer and poet Rollie Pemberton. His 2021 album Parallel World won Canada’s Polaris Music Prize.

The son of a pioneering hip-hop radio DJ, Pemberton grew up around a diverse library of music. Splitting his time between Edmonton’s experimental electronic and underground rap scenes as a teenager, Pemberton eventually developed a hybrid of both styles. Cadence Weapon has released six albums, five of which have been nominated for the Polaris Music Prize, with Breaking Kayfabe (2006) and Hope In Dirt City (2012) and Parallel World (2021) being shortlist nominees. Pemberton has toured extensively following the success of these albums, playing festivals like Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival, Roskilde and Primavera Sound and performing shows with artists such as Public Enemy, Diplo, Questlove, De La Soul and many more. 

Pemberton’s music is known for pairing groundbreaking production with incisive, socially conscious lyricism. Pemberton served as Poet Laureate of Edmonton from 2009 to 2011, making him the literary ambassador of his hometown. His poem “The Garden” was incorporated into a bronze sculpture at the Alberta Legislature Grounds in Edmonton in 2018. Pemberton was the narrator and a writer for the VICELAND television series PAYDAY and Mister Tachyon and he has hosted lectures and conducted live interviews for CBC q and Red Bull Music Academy. Pemberton’s memoir called Bedroom Rapper was published by McClelland & Stewart in May 2022 and his newest album ROLLERCOASTER was released on April 19, 2024.

The Hearts

The Hearts have forged a distinct path in the Indie-Folk/North Americana landscape. Their fifth album, "Traces" (Nov. 2024), a CKUA Radio #1, continues to garner global attention. With MTV, HBO placements, and festival appearances including SXSW, their live shows mix glitter with grit to deliver a captivating tapestry of heartfelt melodies, evocative harmonies, and earthy grooves. CKUA Radio calls their music "elegant, sophisticated, and brilliantly creative."

Shred Kelly

Emerging from the majestic landscapes of the Canadian Rockies, Shred Kelly is a powerhouse band that seamlessly blends elements of alternative, folk, and rock music. With a captivating live act that leaves audiences in awe, they have become a mainstay in the Canadian music scene. But it's not just their energetic performances that set them apart—Shred Kelly's heartfelt songwriting strikes a chord with listeners, connecting deeply as each band member brings their eclectic musical influences to the table, shaping the group's unique musical direction.

With an impressive track record of touring across Canada, the United States, Europe, and the UK, Shred Kelly has made appearances at renowned festivals such as Kaslo Jazz, Ottawa Blues Fest, Winnipeg Folk Fest, SXSW, Reeperbahn and many more. Furthermore, the band has shared stages with esteemed acts such as The Dead South, Elliott Brood, and The Cave Singers, leading to their reputation as a dynamic live act whose show is described as a joyous celebration of life. With a fervent commitment to their craft, Shred Kelly has garnered praise from critics in Canada and beyond, earning Spotify Editorial Playlisting, international radio play, and regular rotation on influential platforms such as Sirius XM and Radio Eins in Berlin. Nominated for Rock Artist of the Year at The 2021 Western Canadian Music Awards, Shred Kelly's ascent shows no signs of slowing down as they tour their sixth studio album, produced by the acclaimed Nygel Asselin.

“It is as if Pete Seeger met up with the Smashing Pumpkins for a ski and a jam. The different musical influences collide with intention and precision and avoid hipster cliché.” - Exclaim

"Dark times but not without hope; the theme of a pleasingly varied record that bears repeated listening." - Americana UK (on Blurry Vision)

  • Rosina Cove

    A sound defined by the city that made them, Rosina Cove offers up unpretentious Canadiana with a big heart. Rosina Cove includes a core trio of Vicky Berg, Drew Malcolm, and award winning song writer Peter Stone. Rosina Cove's other members are rarely the same from show to show - even on their debut 8-track album, Someday We Will Make It There, ten players - nay friends - join in to escape 2023 - and whoever is onboard for a show, the recording, or even a jam, they're in for a no-judgements, fun-fuelled time. Beneath the smiles are the stories that permeate from a separation. Emotions are unlocked through the spontaneous writing style, and just as with Stone's other songs, these are earnestly honest, perhaps even revealing more of where his heart has been tugged in opposition to his brain, than he realizes.

    For a project that started as a way to escape, Stone admits it's morphed into something a little more. It helps when it’s such a cohesive group of friends who are there to play music for the sake of playing music. Whether they talk about the realities of life or not, one thing is certain: they're all there to make an unpretentious Canadiana racket.

  • Joe Nolan

    Hailed by The Globe and Mail as "an Americana wunderkind to watch out for,” Joe Nolan is proving that praise well-deserved with his upcoming album, produced by Grammy Award-winner Tyler Chester. Luv in the New World was recorded live off the floor in Los Angeles with an all-star lineup, including Jay Bellerose on drums (Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson) and Sebastian Steinberg on bass (Phoebe Bridgers, Lucinda Williams). Set for release this fall 2025.

    A virtuoso guitarist, elusive poet, and musical chameleon, Nolan has always lived on the outskirts and can be a hard one to pin down. Breaking genres and defying labels, he defines his sound as "These are my caravan diaries."

    He continues to dazzle fans across North America and Europe, performing around 150 shows a year. Wherever he goes, you’ll likely find him accompanied by his 2003 Dodge Caravan, named Rocco, and his trusty parlor guitar, small in size but mighty in sound.

  • Sizwe Youth Marimba Band

    Sizwe Marimba Band is a remarkable ensemble that brings the vibrant and rhythmic sounds of African marimba music to life. Originating from Sihle-Sizwe Vineyard Foundation, the band consists of a diverse young group from various African countries, united by their passion for the marimba, an instrument with roots in the hills and valleys of Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. The band provides these young musicians with a home away from home cultivating an environment where they can grow, share their ideas and fears, and learn new skills. The band's cohesion and dedication to preserving the cultural heritage of the southern hemisphere are evident in their polished performances, despite not using any written notes. Sizwe Marimba Band has showcased their talents across Edmonton, performing at festivals, weddings, churches, senior homes, schools, year-end functions, political gatherings, and prestigious venues such as the Winspear Centre and the Arden Theatre in St. Albert. Their performances are a celebration of African musical traditions and a testament to the band's commitment to sharing their cultural heritage with Canada and the world.

  • Secondhand Dreamcar

    Secondhand Dreamcar is an explosive soul/roots/blues band from Edmonton. This consummate collective crafts a distinct, funky, and lyrically-driven sound that journalist and programmer Peter North called the most exciting thing to come out of Edmonton since k.d. lang and the Reclines.

  • Kija Lado

    Kija Lado is South Sudanese multidisciplinary artist and musician born and raised in Amiskwaciwâskahikan. Blending soulful vocals and honest storytelling to make both herself and others feel, know, and be known.

  • Manny V. Y Su Esquina

    Manny V. Y Su Esquina was established in 2017 in Edmonton, Alberta. The band was founded by two musicians coming together from separate worlds. Manny Valencia, born and raised in Canada and Alex Corzo from Venezuela. Together they have years of experience working in the international Latin scene. Over the last seven years ‘Esquina Latina’ has evolved to become a fan favorite at all of the events and festivals that they have been involved in! Their latin rhythms are so contagious… they’ll be sure to have you up and dancing in no time.

  • The Denim Daddies

    With a sound nestled comfortably between classic and alternative country, The Denim Daddies are winning over purists of both genres with their well-written, intricately arranged tunes. This attention to detail combined with their unparalleled energy enables them to create something capable of entertaining almost anyone. With a sound that draws comparisons to The Flying Burrito Brothers, Steve Earle, and John Prine among others, these five Edmontonians are export-ready and set to wear out needles and stages worldwide.

  • Mallory Chipman

    Mallory Chipman is an award-winning singer-songwriter-producer, celebrated for her acrobatic vocals and the tender yet powerful way she weaves story into song. Her latest album, Songs to a Wild God, hit #1 on CKUA, #5 on the Folk Alliance International Charts, and has been featured on NPR and SiriusXM Radio. While reflecting contemporary themes, the quality of Chipman’s craft “places her amidst the longer tradition of the great singer-songwriters” (Americana UK), establishing her as an instant classic in the Canadian folk music scene.

  • Tea Fannie

    Chameleonic rapper Tea Fannie has proven to be an unstoppable force in the music scene here in Mohkinstsis/Calgary. In just 5 short years she has been featured on Sirius XM, Virgin Radio, iHeart Radio, Edmonton Journal, Global News, Big Kitty Magazine, Downtown Arts Calgary, The YYScene, The Block on CBC, Key of A on CBC, Xtra Magazine, The Yellowknifer, Hamilton newspaper, with many more to come! All of that has been through DIY marketing until now and mostly from recording herself, while working on an album with Junia-T in the background. With her project, It's All Love, funded by Canada Council, set to release September 27, 2024, she is sure to continue forging her own path in this industry. She has had the opportunity to work with a grammy nominated producer (Lord Quest), and has opened for Planet Giza, Begonia, Super Duty Tough Work, Princess Nokia, Homeboy Sandman, etc.


  • DJ Suzanne Summers

    Suzanne Summers (Suzy Kenny) is an Edmonton-based DJ known for genre-blending sets that fuse disco, house, pop, rock, and bass-driven remixes. With over a decade of experience, she’s performed at festivals, clubs, and events across Alberta. Suzy is also the co-founder of Vibe Collective, a women-led DJ agency championing diverse talent and reshaping the local music scene.

  • Amy van Keeken

    Amy van Keeken is a singer, songwriter, musician and CKUA Radio host/producer. She is also a record nerd who loves to spin vinyl and facilitate fun times for all.

  • Social Eyes

    Combining Gareth Gilliland’s thoughtful songwriting with collective improvisation, Social Eyes unites the connections between folk, jazz, and electronic music to bring the listener on a unique and moving journey.

  • DJ Effy In The Sky

    Effy In The Sky is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, director, event producer, and DJ based in Edmonton, Alberta. She views art-making as a communal practice, weaving relationships, memory, and imagination into every project. Moving fluidly across film, music, and live experiences, her work creates spaces of connection, reflection, and transformation. Shaped by dialogue and collective experience, Effy continues to explore and redefine the possibilities of creative expression. 

  • Mad Cat Swing from Sugar Swing Ballroom

    Sugar Swing Ballroom, based in Edmonton, offers lively swing dance classes and events in Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, and more. Known for its inclusive, community-focused atmosphere, Sugar Swing welcomes all—no partner or experience needed. With great music and energy, they create unforgettable social dance experiences for all ages.

  • Aaron Parker

    Aaron Parker is a long-time Edmonton musician who has played with his own bands, Cantoo and Gord's Gold (A tribute to Gordon Lightfoot), as well as Faith Healer, Smokey, the Whitsundays and Duplekita. During the pandemic, he leaned into his deep love of 1970's acoustic music, recording the haunting O Candyland EP with the help of violinist Nathaniel Wong and Pedal Steel from Derek Anderson. The Aaron Parker Band brings his songs to life in lush, vintage technicolour. Touches of strings (Nathaniel Wong and Christine Hanson), Percussion (Jenni Roberts), Bass (Tim Batke), guitars and pedal steel (Nathan Carroll) create an interweaving and subtle way, supporting Parker's clear voice and bittersweet melodies.

  • Billie Zizi

    Effusive and thoughtful, without pretense yet still above board, Billie Zizi carves a distinct path marked by sonic abandon and a wild spirit. Now on her third studio album [Levitate, Oct 2024], she continues to prove herself as an exciting emergent voice in contemporary music. The album dances gently through illusions of kaleidoscopic colour with Zizi’s masterful vocal prowess in full bloom. Fans of musical alchemists can expect melodic charms rife throughout the ten track run time. Listeners are treated to decorative and unpredictable cadences, poetic prowess and tasty mid-tempo rockers, creating an airy, indie-Americana atmosphere that feels ethereal and whimsical.

  • Brad Shigeta Swingtime Band

    Brad Shigeta is one of Canada’s rare and distinguished jazz musicians who has chosen a career as a world-class performer rather than as educator. 

    In demand for his robust, authentic, and swinging trombone sound, Brad has toured internationally and recorded with many of the most revered ensembles in jazz history, including The Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, The Clifford Jordan Big Band, The Dave Holland Big Band, The Count Basie Orchestra under Grover Mitchell, The Lionel Hampton Orchestra, and the Illinois Jacquet Big Band.

    Influenced by swing-era legends like Tricky Sam Nanton and Lawrence Brown, Brad’s playing is marked by a rich tone, rhythmic vitality, and deep respect for the big band tradition. His sound can be heard on Grammy-winning recordings such as What Goes Around with the Dave Holland Big Band and They Came to Swing with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra as well on various major motion picture soundtracks.

    He has also shared the stage with jazz greats including Clark Terry, Joe Lovano, and Illinois Jacquet, continuing to leave a mark in both large ensemble and small group settings.

    Brad leads his own ensemble, The Brad Shigeta Swingtime Orchestra, a dynamic showcase for his trombone voice in fresh, exciting arrangements of Swing Era classics. He continues to perform internationally, bringing timeless swing to new generations of listeners.

  • Starpainter

    Starpainter is a folk rock band from Lethbridge, Alberta. They wear their influences on their sleeves, showcasing old-school songwriting craftsmanship and an affinity for gently psychedelic alt-twang tones. The band’s second full-length, titled Rattlesnake Dream, was released in June 2023 on Neon Moon Records. 

    Rattlesnake Dream exists in a small-town universe that has become a defining feature of Starpainter’s body of work. Themes of family, aging, and personal loss are explored across the album’s 10 tracks. The record explores new sonic territory, further developing a signature sound built on memorable melodies and imaginative, guitar-heavy arrangements. 

    Rattlesnake Dream was named one of the best albums of 2023 on CBC's Key of A program, and was #12 on CKUA's top 100 most-played albums of the year. Rattlesnake Dream track "Even in a Car" was named the #1 song of 2023 by AmericanaUK. The album was mixed by Jon Anderson (Andy Shauf, Aiden Knight) and mastered by Philip Shaw Bova (Feist, Father John Misty). The band has been touring in support of the album and has played at festivals across Canada including Canadian Music Week in Toronto and Block Heater in Calgary. 

    Starpainter is Joel Stretch, Mickey Hayward, Joel Gray, Dylan Wagner, Bailey Kate, and Tyler Stewart. 

    “. . . what I found in Starpainter was a sound that was new, but felt so familiar and almost intuitive. It’s folk rock, alt-country, whatever you want to call it: it has that very classic sort of prairie Alberta sound.” - Celeigh Cardinal, CBC Radio