One listen to Adrian Sutherland and you’ll know he’s unlike anyone else. Born and raised in Canada’s Far North, the roots-rocker with heart from Attawapiskat on James Bay has the voice of a songbird, a boatload of talent, and an ocean of muses. Sutherland’s melding of rock, roots, folk and blues is unlike anything else. Drawing inspiration from the land, his life, and his Cree culture, Adrian’s songs ripple far beyond stages and airwaves. His soul-stirring sound is influenced by the likes of Tom Petty, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Coldplay, and Kashtin – the folk-rock duo from Quebec who sang in Innu-aimun.

Alan Syliboy was born and raised in Truro and lives at Millbrook First Nation. He looks to the indigenous Mi’kmaq petroglyph (stone etchings) tradition for inspiration, and developed his own artistic vocabulary out of those forms. Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers – Alan Syliboy – Group Leader, Spoken Word & Percussionist, Evan Syliboy – Lead Guitar, Lukas Pearse – Bassist, Sound Designer, & Video Mapping, Hubert Francis – Vocals & Guitar, Joanne Hatfield – Vocals, Guitar, Flute, Piano & Percussionist, Aaron Prosper – Vocals & Percussionist.

Bria Rose evokes power and playfulness through her stories and sound. Her colourful spirit digs deep to share her northern perspective through lyrics, glow, and delivery. Hailing from Dease Lake, BC, this Tahltan/Cree artist now calls Whitehorse, YT, home.

If you're yearning for a taste of refreshing country rock that seamlessly blends soulful melodies with heartfelt lyrics, look no further than Brothers Wilde. In the realm of music, Nolan and Ethan Wilde stand as the dynamic duo, embodying the essence of dreamers who not only dream hard but work even harder to bring their vision to life. Hailing from Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, the brothers were raised with values that shape their character — humility, hard work, and a commitment to spreading positive vibrations wherever their music takes them.

Built on emotion-stirring storytelling and unmistakable vocal harmonies accompanied by a century-old instrument, Burnstick, a JUNO nominated husband and wife Folk duo, are intent on creating affecting music that inspires listeners to feel. The Manitoba based duo features Nadia and Jason Burnstick, esteemed independent artists who united over a decade ago to create deeply moving, cinematic Folk music using their trademark vocal pairing, and Jason's mastery of the lap slide Weissenborn guitar. The pair released their debut album, Kîyânaw, in 2019, which earned a Canadian Folk Music Award and a Juno nomination. They will be releasing their captivating sophomore album, Made of Sin, this summer.

Celeigh Cardinal owns a stage, connecting deeply through humour and vulnerability. She has received many accolades including the 2020 JUNO Award for Indigenous Artist of the year, as well as awards and nominations from the CBC Music Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards and Edmonton Music Awards. Celeigh has charted on the Indigenous Music Countdown, the CBC Music Top 20 Countdown and !earshot. She has two full-length albums completed and her highly anticipated third release is slated for June 2024, which is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts. The Edmonton-based artist has worked with The Walt Disney Corporation with their first season of The Recital of Remixes and later as a mentor/consultant for their second season. She has multiple songs placed in film and TV and sang for The Tragically Hip in their first ever licensing commercial deal with Scotiabank.

Evan Redsky is a songwriter, hailing from the First Nations Reserve of Mississaugi First Nation. Raised in Blind River and now residing in Toronto, ON. His latest offering, Oblivion seamlessly weaves traditional storytelling, delicate nuance, and poignant commentary on the human condition into a cathartic collection of highway-song vignettes. Drawing from early childhood memories of hearing classic Canadian roots music on one of his reserve’s few available radio stations, Redsky felt compelled to reclaim that form as a vehicle for recounting his own experi- ence as a “Canadian”. Surviving a lineage plagued by the fall out of colonialism, his perspective on the plight of the indigenous peoples of Canada is one that is deeply important in understanding the urgency of truth and reconciliation. Though these topics are prevalent throughout Oblivion, there are still many personal stories of growth, healing and resilience in the face of intergenerational trauma that cast a universally relatable net over anyone struggling through the human condition.

In 2017, Winnipeg-based Anishinaabe and settler folk-soul musician Ila Barker held a guitar on her lap as a friend confided in her the details of an abusive relationship. Barker sang her friend’s words back to her, softly strumming the strings and turning anguish into a serendipitous self-serenade. Eventually that song became the title track of Barker’s debut full-length album, Fool Under Water, a tough-but-tender testament to the possibility of survival, forged as she swam ashore herself. To write Fool Under Water, Barker spent seven years reflecting on her own survival, alongside that of the women around her. The elegantly rugged candor at the heart of the album’s storytelling was amassed through experience.

From Iqaluit Nunavut, Joshua Qaumariaq sings in a blend of Inuktitut and English lyrics, universal themes of light, darkness and isolation. Whether it be performing Performing Solo or with band The Trade-Offs. An Echo in the depths of the northern tundra, swaddled in soul, blues. Frequent guests at stages all over Canada and has also made inroads abroad, most recently in Reykjavik at Iceland airwaves in 2023.

Kaeley Jade is a Métis singer/songwriter, actor, and multidisciplinary artist based in Edmonton, Alberta (amiskwaciwâskahikan). Blending lush imagery and hooky melodic lines to create her own brand of pop - forward indie folk music, Kaeley Jade has performed at venues and festivals across Canada. Past performances include BreakOut West, Coldsnap, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, JUNOfest, Wednesday on the Wharf, NXNE, and the Tkaronto Music Festival. Kaeley moves between ballads and bops with ease, and she brings an electricity to the stage whether she is playing an intimate acoustic set or playing alongside her full five piece band.

Manitou Mkwa Singers (Spirit Bear Singers) hail from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. They are a family Hand drum group that sing pow-wow, and round dance songs. They are all Bear Clan which is in relation to their name “Manitou Mkwa Singers”. They work diligently as helpers in ceremony and community initiatives. Their music is meant to uplift the spirits of people and bring good positive energy to those in need.

The Red River Ramblers perform Métis fiddle music. While rooted in a deep respect for the Métis fiddle tradition, the music burns a new path for the genre. The Red River Ramblers set fire to fierce tempos and crooked metres. The guitar and bass drift between rhythmic and melodic. The hand drum, bass drum, spoons, and shaker carry the heart beat. The fiddle weaves timeless melodies.

Silla are an Inuit throat singing duo blending traditional and contemporary katajjaq (throat songs) across a wide range of genres. Performing together since 2005, Silla’s members Charlotte Qamaniq and Cynthia Pitsiulak from Iglulik and Kimmirut Nunavut respectively, have crafted a hypnotizing live performance that is not to be missed.

Snotty Nose Rez Kids tore into the music scene with unmistakeable talent and an unforgettable name. SNRK are blazing their own path, weaving together a musical fabric of hard-hitting lyricism, revealing stories about the struggles they and their people have encountered, empowering protest songs for the front lines, and a humor that keeps even the heaviest of topics something you can vibe to.