Igloofest Brings the Heat to Edmonton Winter: Canadian Concerts of the Week
Plus, Inuk singer Elisapie performs in Vancouver, Great Big Sea alum Alan Doyle brings his solo work to Toronto, Winnipeg’s William Prince shines in Montreal and more.
Igloofest
This week, electronic music festival Igloofest swings in for its inaugural Edmonton edition. The unique cold-season event is known to bring the heat during some of the season’s coldest temperatures. To kick off the first-ever Western Canadian event, U.K. duo Disclosure, Canadian electronic titan Deadmau5 and Australian music producer DJ Alison Wonderland were tapped to headline, alongside a string of emerging EDM acts.
Additionally, acclaimed Inuk artist Elisapie spends one night on the west coast, and “Supalonely” hitmaker Benee plays for an intimate crowd in Toronto. Two days later, former Great Big Sea frontman Alan Doyle plays back-to-back nights at Massey Hall, and singer-songwriter William Prince brings his country-folk tunes to Montreal.
Concert of the Week
Igloofest, Fan Park @ ICE District, Edmonton — March 12-14
It’s time to get out of hibernation: Igloofest is coming to Edmonton.
For the first time, Quebec's cold-season electronic music festival is venturing over to Western Canada, tapping acts that bring the heat despite performing in below-freezing temperatures. A trio of the genre’s biggest players are set to lead the charge for the festival’s inaugural Edmonton edition: U.K. electro-pop duo Disclosure, Australian music producer and DJ Alison Wonderland and Canadian titan deadmau5.
They’ll be paired with a strong roster of emerging electronic acts and local talent to maintain the warmth at night, including Chile-born DJ, producer-mixer Titus1, L.A.-based genre-bending producer Nikki Nair, Quebec trance and rave artist TDJ, plus hometown DJs HA HA, Kosmix and Mikey Wong will take the stage across the three-day festival.
deadmau5 is set to close out the debut Edmonton edition, bringing his unmistakable sound and commanding stage presence to the Alberta crowd. His immersive and technologically innovative live shows are a sight to behold, inspiring countless DJs and producers to amp up their on-stage performances, including frequent collaborator REZZ.
Meanwhile, Disclosure will perform a special DJ set, which is bound to include a string of 2010s hits, including the Sam Smith-featuring “Latch,” which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. Hailing from down under, Alison Wonderland has scored multiple charting albums — notably her latest release, Ghost World, debuted at No. 21 on Billboard’s Top Dance Albums chart.
The festival’s Edmonton edition joins three other major Canadian cities: Montreal, Gatineau and Quebec City — the latter two of which were added in 2024. This upcoming winter marks a major milestone for the unique winter festival, as it continues its expansion across Canada.
Tickets are available here
More Canadian Concerts of the Week
Elisapie, Vogue Theatre, Vancouver — March 12
Effortlessly blending folk and rock genres, Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie is bringing her soulful voice and eclectic production to VanCity. It’s been three years since the release of her Polaris Music Prize shortlisted project, Inuktitut, an album that translates classic rock and pop songs into her mother tongue. The Salluit-born singer has kept the album alive, bringing her emotional soundscapes to the stage, maintaining her spot in the Canadian music scene.
Tickets are available here.
Benee, The Concert Hall, Toronto — March 12
Benee, the artist behind the inescapable pandemic hit “Supalonely,” is landing in Toronto for one of two Canadian shows. Known for her quirky dances and overly candid stage presence, the New Zealander is set to bring a high-energy performance to listeners. While it’s been over half a decade since the bubblegum pop ditty was on the charts, the charming singer is touring the globe in support of her alt-pop album, Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles.
Tickets are available here.
Alan Doyle, Massey Hall, Toronto — March 14-15
Canadian music icon Alan Doyle is swimming his way into Toronto, bringing a bevy of songs and stories to the historic Massey Hall stage. Last month, the folk-rocker dropped his latest EP, Already Dancing, a feel-good celebration of his sonic roots. For back-to-back nights, the east coast storyteller will deliver an intimate show, combining his solo work and traditional Newfoundland folk songs with classics from his time with Great Big Sea.
Tickets are available here.
William Prince, Club Soda, Montreal — March 17
Winnipeg’s William Prince is bringing his trademark country-folk sound to a solo Quebec show. While the acclaimed singer-songwriter has been touring nonstop in recent years, his latest album, Further From the Country, explores grief, identity and ambition through his upbringing in Peguis First Nation, Manitoba. On this trek, he’s supported by recent Billboard Canada Modern Rock Airplay chart-topper Boy Golden — a double-billing made for country-folk dreams.
Tickets are available here.
