Music News Digest: Whitehorse, Noah Reid and More Talent-Packed Holiday Shows in Ontario
Also this week: Andy Glydon is named the new executive director of MusicPEI, applications open for the newly-coined Folk Canada Conference & more.
Noah Reid
Festivals News
Vancouver Folk Music Festival has announced the appointment of Corbin Murdoch as its new executive director. He is a local arts-scene veteran who recently served as the executive director of the Dawson City Music Festival and earlier worked with Theatre Replacement and the Cultch in Vancouver.
The VFMF is now heading into its 49th year. The Georgia Straight notes that "one of Vancouver’s longest-running cultural events, the festival survived a rough patch as the world was emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic." In Jan. 2023, the fest announced the cancellation of that summer's fest, but a public outcry saw that decision reversed and the event has continued annually since then.
– JUNOfest takes over Hamilton's music venues on March 27 and 28 and applications for solo artists and/or full bands to showcase at the event are currently open, with a deadline of Dec. 19, 2025 at 5 pm ET. Priority is given to 2026 Juno Award nominees and artists/bands from Hamilton, Ontario and the surrounding area. Submit here.
– Showcase applications are now open for the 2026 Folk Canada Conference (formerly the Folk Music Ontario Conference), taking place Oct. 14-18, 2026 in Hamilton The deadline to apply here is Jan. 30.
Industry News
Music PEI has announced that longtime program officer Andy Glydon will step into the role of executive director on March 14, 2026, after current ED Rob Oakie announced his upcoming retirement recently. "When the Board began discussing a successor upon Rob’s retirement, it quickly became clear to us that Andy was the natural choice,” said Mark Watts, president of the Music PEI board of directors.
– Christmas Hour with Noah Reid, coming to Massey Hall, Toronto, on Dec. 19 is a talent-packed holiday concert. Joining the host, Schitts Creek star Reid, are The Trews, Jeremie Albino, Georgia Harmer, Tamara Podemski, Charlotte Cornfield, Matthew Barber, Tanika Charles and Doug Paisley. This all \-ages event is raising funds for Stella's Place. Tickets here.
– Hamilton's biggest annual holiday concert, the JR DiGS Acoustic Christmas Concert returns for its 17th year, with a Dec. 23 show at the Wentworth Hall in the Convention Centre in Hamilton. From humble beginnings it has grown to the point that it sells out large venues annually, even though host DiGS never reveals the lineup in advance. Past performers have included Tom Wilson, Crash Test Dummies, The Trews, Sum 41, Terra Lightfoot, Jim Cuddy, The Dirty Nil, The Beaches, members of Arkells and many more. All proceeds of the volunteer-run event go to a large group of local charities. Tickets here
– Whitehorse's holiday concert on Dec. 20 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre features Ron Sexsmith and rising star Georgia Harmer. It acts as a fundraiser for the Ladybird Animal Sanctuary, a charity which Whitehorse's Melissa McClelland co-founded and is deeply committed to. Purchase tickets here or by phone at 905-681-6000
–Lovers of fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing and holiday-themed tunes are in for a twin treat at SGI Christmas! Live!, a seasonal concert presented by Stonebridge Guitars International at The Rock On Locke Church in Hamilton on Dec. 20. The lineup comprises fluent guitarists James Bryan (Philosopher Kings), Dylan Ryche, Christian Whelan and Antoine Dufour, all performing seasonal fare. Tickets here.
Artists News
Acclaimed Halifax-born folk singer-songwriter Steve Poltz is a popular fixture on the club and festival circuit in North America and beyond. He returns to his Canadian roots with a just-revealed 17-date spring 2026 tour across Eastern Canada, kicking off April 15, and supporting his 14th album, JoyRide, coming out on Jan. 30. The trek takes in intimate venues throughout the Maritimes, Ontario, and Quebec, starting in Berwick, NS, (just after an Australian tour), and closing out in Chelsea, Quebec on May 3. Poltz is known for co-writing the hit "You Were Meant for Me" with Jewel, as well as his highly entertaining stagecraft. Check out his itinerary here.
