New band HYFY was crowned the 2025 Main Stage Showdown winner on Saturday night, winning a spot to play at Folk on the Rocks later this summer.
The punk band, composed of bass player Peter Adourian, singer (she described her role as “yelling into a microphone”) Cat McGurk, guitar player René O’Reilly and drummer Kay Sibbeston, only formed in December 2024.
“[We are] grateful to be a part of a very cool music community in Yellowknife,” said Adourian after the win was announced. The acts were judged by two festival board members, media partners and community members, including last year’s Showdown winner Refrijerater.
The band will play at Folk on the Rocks at 2pm on Saturday, July 19.
“We are a little bit feeling maybe we would be a better beer garden performer, but the schedule’s already out, so it looks like we’re gonna be trashy on the main stage,” said McGurk.
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The band described their style as “chaotic punk rock with a little bit of art school kind of music mixed in.”
When asked what art school music was, Adourian replied: “Unlistenable.”
McGurk said the four bandmates write the music together. Adourian described the style as “the intense expression of political emotion.”
“We have songs that are basically history lessons. And we also have songs that are yelling about nothing. And then we also have some songs that are for dancing,” explained McGurk of the varied themes.
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HYFY also gave a shoutout to Punch Dummies, a high school trio of girls who were a crowd favourite, saying they want to see more of them.
Also competing at Saturday night’s event were Calan & Cole, Allister McCreadie, Anica, Small Talk, Jimmy Georges, Hrhythom, and taylor saracuse and some other dead people.
Find more of our favourite photos from the night below.
