Quebec’s Arielle Soucy leads the opening wave of acts announced by Folk on the Rocks for its 2025 edition.
Yellowknife’s largest summer music festival usually releases its lineup in three “waves” each spring.
Wave one for 2025, revealed live on Friday’s broadcast of Mornings at the Cabin, featured Soucy among its leading names. Her debut album was longlisted for the 2024 Polaris Music Prize.
Also in the Folk 2025 lineup are Toronto’s Jeremie Albino, Vancouver artists NADUH – described as redefining what it means to be a girl group – and Peter Dreams, the solo project of Peter Dreimanis from Juno-winning July Talk.
Friday’s opening announcement continued with Johnnie Melancholy, Yukon multi-instrumentalist Hendrika, and Tinge, an indie-rock project helmed by Anishinaabe artist Veronica Blackhawk.
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Major Funk, a Yukon act that wowed the Cabin Stage in 2018, returns.
Northwest Territories acts on the list include Godson, Jonathan Antoine, Meridian, The Johnnys, Reverend Doctor Michael Bokor, and burlesque show Glam on the Rocks. The Yellowknives Dene Drummers will open and close the festival as ever.
Further announcement waves are expected on April 25 and May 16.
The festival will run from July 18-20 with Cabin Radio again hosting a stage and broadcasting up to 30 hours of live music.
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“Featuring drum dances and mysterious visionaries, FOTR 2025 will be a mash-up of northern-style celebrations and a variety of art, music and performances,” the festival stated.
“On the festival grounds, you’ll find local eats and beverages from Yellowknife’s best food vendors as well as crafts and artwork from artisans across the NWT and Canada.”
Tickets are on sale at early-bird prices until May.
