Folk Alliance International Comes to Montreal in 2025 with Joel Plaskett, Ron Sexsmith, Kaïa Kater and more

Folk Alliance International (FAI) has just unveiled the lineup of Official Showcases for its thirty-seventh annual conference, to be held February 19-23, 2025, in Montreal, at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. More than 175 artists will showcase, representing 26 countries of origin, 19 U.S. states and all 13 Canadian provinces, one of the larger slates of showcases in the conference’s history.

Jennifer Roe, Executive Director of Folk Alliance International states that "Our 37th annual conference, themed 'Illuminate' and inspired by the Northern Lights, will be a celebration of diverse musical traditions, artistic expression, and the shared experience that connects us all. It will be great to come back to Montreal, site of the 2019 conference; returning to Quebec highlights our continued commitment to artists in Canada and elsewhere outside of the United States."

FAI has been previously hosted by Calgary (1992), Toronto (1997, 2013) and twice by Montreal (2005, 2019).

FAI is well-established as an important annual showcasing opportunity for folk and roots artists. Its impact is confirmed by the participation in 2025 of noted veteran artists alongside new and emerging artists in a wide range of roots music styles.

Some major Canadian names on the list include such favourites as Ron Sexsmith, folk great Connie Kaldor, Indigenous duo Digging Roots and blues singer Angelique Francis, Juno nominees Jorane and Basia Bulat (a Polaris Prize finalist), indie rock hero Joel Plaskett, Indigenous Music Award-winner Mimi O'Bonsawin, platinum-selling singer/songwriters Steve Poltz and David Myles, International Folk Music Award Spirit of Folk winner Amanda Rheaume, world music favourites Sultans of String, Kobo Town, La Bottine Souriante and Lemon Bucket Orchestra, acclaimed singer/songwriters Adrian Sutherland, Cara Luft and Tara Maclean (Shaye), Maritime favourites The East Pointers and emerging stars Mama's Broke and Kaïa Kater.

The lineup of American acts slated to showcase is also impressive. That list includes fiddle player/songwriter/vocalist Tania Elizabeth (Avett Brothers), Grammy nominated rapper SaulPaul, Chinese-American pianist/vocalist Vienna Teng (a NPR favourite), singer/songwriter Amy Speace, who was personally signed by Judy Collins, house vocalist/drag queen Flamy Grant, Latin Grammy nominee Alex Wong, former Leonard Cohen collaborator Perla Batalla, beloved Seattle blues singer Lady A, festivals headliners Bella's Bartok, TikTok star Olive Klug and more.

International performers include Sara Curruchich, the first indigenous Guatemalan singer-songwriter, Portuguese Fado guitarist Marta Pereira da Costa and Haitian star Wesli.

Check the full lineup of FAI showcasing artists here.

Advance registration for FAI 2025 is now open here. Prices increase after Oct. 31.