Refrijerater will play at Folk on the Rocks 2024 after winning Saturday night’s Main Stage Showdown at Elks Lodge.
The alt-rock band’s energetic set was the final performance of the night. They had the crowd on their feet, defeating nine other contenders for the grand prize: a slot on the July festival’s main stage, plus $500 cash and artist passes for the festival weekend.
Refrijerater is made up of three founding members of the band Quantum Haze, who played at FOTR in 2021 and 2023.
After two of Quantum Haze’s founding members, Vincent and Alex, graduated high school and were no longer in Yellowknife for the school year, the three remaining members – Duncan, Joe, and Nikhi – wanted to continue jamming together.
Forming under the new name Refrijerater, the three of them spent the winter practising before performing at the Main Stage Showdown – their first time performing in front of an audience since FOTR 2023.
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“We were really eager to get out and play a show, and then to be playing at the end of the night with all the energy at an all-time high… it was a super fun experience,” said Nikhi, the band’s drummer.
The event aims to raise money while promoting and discovering local talent. Refrijerater member Joe, who does bass and occasional backup vocals, said they’re “feeling really good” about performing at FOTR this summer.
“The atmosphere at Folk is unreal, and to be playing main stage this year is going to be so fun,” said Nikhi.
In the meantime, you can follow the band on Instagram: @refrijerater_sucks. The band said they’re hoping to release their first song by the end of June.
The showdown’s other contenders were:
- Allister McCreadie
- Darin Woodbury
- Dehcho
- Johnny Mac
- Liz Campbell
- Parts
- Sean Watson Graham
- The Smith Sisters
- TMixxy & TateVee Duo
