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Los de Abajo (Mexico) Multi-instrumental Latin ska, tropipunk & reggae rhythms fueled by a quest for social justice. |
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Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara (UK/Gambia) The deepest trance-blues this side of Timbuktu. |
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Matt Anderson (NB) Sprawling blues and a honey-tinged voice – a raw, rare and real rising talent. |
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Darol Anger & Mike Marshall & Väsen (US/Sweden) Eclectic new-acoustic folk from two continents – a five member virtuosic symphony. |
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Arrested Development (US) Grammy winning alt Hip Hop pioneers mix positive grooves and a social conscious into a pulsing celebration of life. |
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Bellowhead (UK) Rollicking, theatrical 11 piece world folk big-band and 3 time winners of BBC Radio’s “Best Live Band”. |
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Geoff Berner (BC) Folk, punk and klezmer with witty lyrics delivered with frenetic, contagious energy. |
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Mark Berube & the Patriotic Few (PQ) Sophisticated folk, savvy writing, stirring vocals and impeccable delivery. |
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Blue Voodoo (BC) Intriguing blues with rootsy twists and turns delivered with soul, heart and a hint of magic. |
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Bop Ensemble (AB/BC) Folk maestros Bill Bourne and Wyckham Porteous link forces with up-and-coming singer-bassist ‘Jas’ Ohlhauser. |
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The Breakmen (BC) A potent blend of bluegrass, old-timey folk and vintage country. |
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Basia Bulat (ON) Melodic and poetic folk/pop – timeless, yet surprising and utterly original. |
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Canefire (ON) Afro-Caribbean traditions meet Trinidadian carnival and jazz on steel pan, piano, horns, bass and percussion. |
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Eliana Cuevas (ON) This Venezuelan-born vocalist and songwriter creates original world jazz, supported by a stellar band. |
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The Ebony Hillbillies (US) With banjos, fiddles and washboard, this quartet keeps the rich African-American string band tradition alive. |
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Jonathan Edwards (US) Since his 70’s hit “Sunshine”, Jonathan’s ear for a good story, strong melody and beautifully crafted song thrives on. |
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Joel Fafard (BC) This gifted slide fingerstyle guitar player writes stirring, melodic compositions painting vivid pictures. |
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Roy Forbes (BC) One of Canada’s national treasures, singer/songwriter/guitarist, Roy Forbes is blessed with a unique voice, part Hank, part Billie Holiday, part Robert Plant and startlingly soulful. |
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Fito Garcia (BC) Afro-Cuban beats performed live by four bass players, two percussionists and three vocalists. |
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Amos Garrett Acoustic Trio w/ Doug Cox (AB/BC) Among the planet’s finest guitarists, Garrett (and Co.) hook up with a dobro maestro. |
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Liza Garza (US) A poet/vocalist and activist whose words simultaneously whisper power and strength; peace and grace. |
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Dick Gaughan (UK) For over three decades, one of Scottish music’s best-loved performers, guitarists and raconteurs. |
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Great Lake Swimmers (ON) Haunting and heartfelt folk-pop featuring great instrumentals and Tony Dekker’s captivating voice. |
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HAPA (US) Song, chant, the sacred hula and inspired slack key guitar, Maui’s HAPA creates pan-Polynesian music for the 21st century |
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Corey Harris (US) A globetrotting reggae/blues/roots alchemist who carries the African-influenced blues tradition forward. |
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Veda Hille (BC) Fierce, independent, an original – Veda writes and sings what amazes her, always amazing us in the process. |
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Iron and Wine (US) Sam Beam is a classic, lyrically-evocative American tunesmith for a whole new generation of folk music fans. |
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James Keelaghan (MB) This celebrated songwriter’s rich voice illuminates folk’s keystones of humour, lore, document and adventure. |
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Labess (PQ) Rich, festive melodies: Spanish flamenco and Cuban guaracha to the music of the Arabic/Berber world. |
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Patty Larkin (US) A constantly evolving yet fully-realized singer/songwriter at the height of her prodigious vocal, lyrical and instrumental powers. |
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Anne Loree (AB) Brave, insightful ballads and rockin’ politically-edged commentaries from the writer of Jann Arden’s hit “Insensitive”. |
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Dan Mangan (BC) With a uniquely rich voice and well composed melodies, his folkie template approaches alt-Canadiana. |
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Jorge Miguel Flamenco (ON) Full contact, glorious flamenco music, dance and song with original compositions true to Andalucian tradition. |
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Los Misioneros del Norte (Mexico) From accordion-driven Norteño dance music to storytelling “corridos” – viva la musica! |
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Tony McManus (Scotland/ON) “The world’s best Celtic guitarist” plucks new life from an ancient tradition. |
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Mr. Something Something (ON) Mashing-up compelling Afrobeat grooves, syncopated melodies and layered vocals with politically aware lyrics. |
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Mutabaruka (Jamaica) Acclaimed reggae dub resistance rebel and outspoken people’s poet whose righteous convictions have not mellowed with the years. |
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Idy Oulo (Cameroon/France) Performing on a garaya, a papaya with two strings, and electric guitar, Oulo’s music combines African, world music and reggae. |
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Pacifika (BC) Global pop, jazz-infused and Latin-tinged, that nods to diverse influences while forging a fresh new groove. |
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Steven Page (ON) Barenaked no more, Page goes solo with a mix of familiar BNL tunes and road-tests of new material. |
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The Paperboys (BC) No-holds-barred Celtic-laced global music served up with brilliant musicianship and passion. |
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The Proclaimers (Scotland) No havering – over 20 years on, the Reid twins deliver great folk/pop tunes, from love songs to outspoken political commentary. |
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Joe Pug (US) This talented folk troubadour carries on a venerable tradition with heartfelt ballads and new songs that matter. |
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Lester Quitzau (BC) From gutbucket blues to ballads to free improvisation – a mster guitarist, singer & songwriter. |
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Kate Reid (BC) A whip-smart wordsmith with a knack for candid songwriting charged with humour and social-political observation. |
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Sara Rénélik (PQ) This singer/dancer blends her Haitian roots with Afro & Franco-Caribbean worldbeat and forays into pop, folk-rock and soul. |
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Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band (US) Rural Indiana-based three-piece band delivers an energized sound steeped in classic blues tradition |
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Rock Plaza Central (ON) Troubadour-pop, neo-chamber folk-rock relaxed in its own creative realm of humble origins and unbridled imagination. |
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Mavis Staples (US) This legendary gospel, R&B and pop singer infuses each song with a soul-quaking depth fired with dignity and faith. |
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Tarhana (Netherlands/Turkey) A tribe of Amsterdam music nomads blend Sufi sounds, Gypsy melodies and Afro-Anatolian grooves. |
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Shari Ulrich (BC) This singer/songsmith’s ever-vital music has touched countless hearts for three decades. Now there’s a new generation of fans in the wings. |
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Umalali (Belize) Women’s voices and potent rhythms – the stories, struggles and spirit of the Garifuna people of Central America. |
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Suzie Vinnick and Rick Fines (ON) Carving a new niche in the Canadian blues canon with great songs and a down-home style. |
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Vishtén (PEI/PQ) New-Acadian traditional music powered by fiery fiddling, spicy step-dancing and sweet vocals. |
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VOC Soul Gospel Choir (BC) Mixing eclectic sounds into a positive and spirited world music chorus. |
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The Weakerthans (MB) Punk-inflected folk rock with literate, witty lyrics have rocketed them to the top of Canada’s music scene. |
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Cheryl Wheeler (US) A gifted songwriter with a gorgeous voice, and a fantastic storyteller with a razor-sharp wit. |
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Women in Docs (Australia) This duo’s down-to-earth humor, soaring harmonies and catchy tunes are bright as a midday Queensland sky. |
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Jamyang Yeshi (BC) Want Tibet? A talented artist from a nomadic family in Tibet’s Amdo region sings the songs of his people. |
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d’bi.young (ON) A celebrated young poet/artist and a passionate word-warrior whose originality and ingenuity matches her creative courage. |
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Zal Idrissa Sissokho & Buntalo (PQ) A descendant of a Senegalese griot family, Zal energizes centuries-old Mandingo music traditions. |
