Also this week: an unorthodox patriotic EP series from We Are Busy Bodies, celebrating the legacy of Sonny Rollins, nominations open for MMF Canada Board of Directors and more.
This weekend, the Festival of Friends in Hamilton turns 50.
The free summer music fest has earned iconic status locally, booking major international and Canadian stars as well as promoting Hamilton-based artists. Running July 31 to Aug. 2, this milestone anniversary edition features one of the events most formidable lineups. Headlining the first two nights are, respectively platinum-selling artists Dallas Smith and Feist, while Sunday's mainstage lineup features a long list of Canadian stars in a performance hosted and curated by roots-rock supertrio Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (featuring local legend Tom Wilson).
Current festival director Rob Rakoczy described the event to Hamilton City Magazine as ''a big Last Waltz-style concert. We've got Blackie and the Rodeo Kings as the house band, and we're going to have a rotating list of various festival alumni … probably 25 different artists will come up and play a song each. There’ll be lots of surprises.” Amongst those expected to participate are Andy Kim, Maestro Fresh-Wes, Chantal Kreviazuk, Matt Mays, Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies), Moe Berg, Ashley MacIsaac, Dan Hill, Marc Jordan, Reenage Head, Bif Naked, Hawksley Workman, Teenage Head and Harrison Kennedy.
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Founded by Bill Powell (at one time Tom Wilson's manager), Festival of Friends initially had a folk and roots focus, with such artists as Sylvia Tyson, Willie P. Bennett and Jesse Winchester performing at the debut edition. When Powell retired in 2000, local arts promoter Loren Lieberman took over, expanding the fest's stylistic diversity and bringing in such top Canadian names as The Nylons, Sass Jordan, Randy Bachman and David Wilcox. Rob Rakoczy assumed the reins in 2017, quickly moving the event back to its original location of Gage Park after a few years in nearby Ancaster, and he has booked the likes of Village People and Tanya Tucker as recent headliners. International stars appearing earlier included The B-52s, Psychedelic Furs and Mickey Hart of The Grateful Dead.
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Major Canadian stars at the fest over the past 15 years have included Brett Kissel, City and Colour, The Sheepdogs , and Monster Truck. Other artists featured at FoF this year include the acclaimed Basia Bulat and Great Lake Swimmers. Check the full lineup here.
Festivals News
The JAMBANA One World Festival comes to Brampton Sports Park on Aug. 3. The free festival celebrates Emancipation Day and includes a strong musical lineup headed by Jamaican reggae star Glen Washington, who is joined by six-time Juno Award-winning reggae artist Exco Levi & High Priest, double Juno Award nominee Tonya P, the Pan Masters Steelband and DJ Joshua Lucas. More info here.
– The annual SummerWorks Festival in Toronto kicks off on Aug. 5 with a free concert (5.30 pm) at Union Station featuring Lemon Bucket Orkestra. Described as ''Toronto’s original Slavic brass punks,'' the group has toured internationally, earning kudos from the likes of The Guardian and The New York Times. More info here.
Industry News
The Folk Canada conference is set to be hosted by Hamilton, Oct. 14-18. It is now accepting applications for private showcases, with an Aug. 12 deadline. Submit here. These showcases take place after each day’s conference programming and official showcasing. Now in its 40th year, Folk Canada is considered the premier annual gathering of Canada's folk, roots and world music community, including artists, presenters, buyers, and industry professionals from Canada and beyond.
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– The Market Access Fundsupports Manitoba artists and music industry professionals in growing their business activities in export markets through showcases at music industry conferences and showcase festivals, targeted business meetings and collaborative songwriting trips. The Market Access Fund is made possible by the financial support of the province of Manitoba and Manitoba Film & Music. New applicants must be active Manitoba Music members to be eligible. The next application cut-off date is Aug. 12. More info here
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– Pacific Contact is BC’s annual performing arts showcase conference. The 2026 edition will be held on Vancouver Island for the first time in it's 50 year history from October 1-4. The conference will welcome hundreds of presenters, artists and agents for four days featuring 40+ multidisciplinary performances including Main Stage and Pitch & Perform Showcases. Pacific Contact will also feature an awards ceremony, Contact Room, interactive workshops, networking and hospitality. More info here
– The deadline for the Jazz@Vue New Talents Competition for new talent (aged 18-30) in the Quebec jazz scene is July 31. Register at concoursjav@gmail.com.
– The recent death of legendary jazz saxophonist-composer Sonny Rollins has rekindled interest in his pioneering work. In Toronto, the Caliban Arts Theatre is honouring his legacy in August with four Saturday concerts comprising Rollins' material. The shows take place at Contxt by Trane and feature The Rob Christian Quartet (Aug. 8), Joel Harbans Quartet (Aug. 15), Mark Hundevad Quartet (Aug. 22) and The Bridge Quartet, Aug. 29. Tickets are available here.
– Self-nominations are now open for the Music Managers Forum (MMF) Canada Board of Directors. The trade org welcomes nominations from all eligible applicants, including managers and self-managed artists of all experience levels, from across the country. The deadline to submit here is Aug. 30.
– Adventurous Toronto indie record label We Are Busy Bodies has announced details of a highly original new project, the Map of Canada Puzzle Series. This is an intricate 13-part EP series that, when overlaid, will form a map of Canada and allow a focus to be placed on an artist from each province and territory, a love letter to the music and artists from across the country. The limited edition box set and the square-shaped EPs will be released on Oct. 23. The series is limited to 350 total copies, with 200 box sets available for pre-order, and 100 of each artist's EP available directly from them this fall. The series features new, unreleased, and live songs by artists from across the country, including Chixdiggit’s first new music in nearly 10-years. Other artists include Joel Plaskett, PIQSIQ, and fanclubwallet. For each box set purchase, We Are Busy Bodies will make donations to water conservation, forestry, and wildlife conservation organizations.
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Artists News
Singer-songwriter Perla Batalla may be California-based but she has a deep connection with Canadian artists. She is best known for a long stint as a backing vocalist for Leonard Cohen and she performs a celebration of Cohen's music internationally. Batalla has also had a long friendship with another Canadian songsmith, John Cody, who has written for and/or worked with the likes of Joni Mitchell, Keith Urban and Tom Cochrane and released his own solo albums. A much-anticipated collaboration between Cody and Batalla has now come to fruition with the release of a joint single, ''We The People.'' In liner notes, Cody explains that ''Perla agreed to join me on this journey. It felt fitting to me after knowing her for so long and admiring her talent, presence, and expertise. For me, she is as exacting as her mentor, Leonard Cohen in dedication to excellence and authenticity.'' Stream the new track here.
