Folk Music Ontario 2025 Lineup Announced!
MUSICONTARIO @ FOLK MUSIC ONTARIO 2025October 15-19, 2025 @ Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre, Ottawa, ON
MusicOntario is excited to partner with the Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) to present two nights of spotlight showcases and one night of private showcases at Folk Music Ontario (FMO) October 16th - 18th !
Check out the full line-up below!
Thursday October 16
11:00 - Angelique Francis Band
JUNO Award winners The Angelique Francis band, have been named by Folk Canada as the 2024 Performers of the Year (Ontario Folk Music Awards). Known for their electrifying performances, they have been recognized across multiple genres receiving 2 Canadian Blues Music Awards (Maple Blues),and 2 Canadian Folk Music Award nominations.
11:15 - Logan Staats
Logan Staats is a Juno-nominated Mohawk folk and soul musician hailing from Brantford, Ontario. He won CTV’s ‘The Launch’ in 2018, launching him into fame. For Staats, all of life’s highs and lows intermingle with the music; the passion, the rage, the love, and most of all the healing.
11:30 - Barbra Lica
JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter Barbra Lica has headlined festival and theatre stages around the world. Her 2018 album, You’re Fine, has amassed over 6.7 million streams to date on Spotify. More recently, her first-ever self-produced album, Imposter Syndrome, garnered her two 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards nominations and the 2023 CMRRA Song of the Year prize.
11:45 - Alex Blue
Alex Blue is a Jewish-Mexican folk singer-songwriter from Aurora, CO. Alex’s music carries echoes of nostalgia intertwined with contemporary storytelling. Her unique blend of folk songwriting and pop-inspired melodies sets her songs apart. As a neurodivergent artist, she brings a unique perspective to her songwriting, exploring the landscape of her inner-world.
12:00 - Lonesome Ace String Band
Through twenty years and a couple of thousand shows together in bands such as The Foggy Hogtown Boys and The Lonesome Ace Stringband, John Showman and Chris Coole have developed a deep and instinctual musical bond. Their music lurks in a truly unique space that is somewhere on the outskirts of old-time, bluegrass, and folk. The songs of John Hartford, Hank Williams, Dock Boggs, and The Band share space with the fiddle tunes of Eck Robertson and Ed Haley. The duo’s original songs and tunes take in all these vistas and paint something both personal and timely.
12:15 - Sam Drysdale
Sam Drysdale is a singer-songwriter from Toronto, Ontario, known for his emotionally rich storytelling and a sound that blends folk, Americana, and acoustic-driven pop. After spending several years crafting alternative-pop music, Sam returned to his roots with the release of his third EP, Bonnie's Sad Songs, at the end of 2024. The project marked a significant artistic shift, showcasing a more organic and introspective sonic direction influenced by artists like John Mayer, Neil Young, Hozier, Dallas Green, and Bruce Springsteen.
12:30 - Mistaken for Wayne
Mistaken for Wayne is the Northern born folk rock project by farmer and musician Wade Montpellier. He and his close collaborators makes music that reflects Northern Ontario and the places they call home.
12:45 - Sara Kae
Sara Kae, an Ojibwe and Cree artist, got her start touring northern Ontario with her father, singing in communities from the age of 12. Sara’s early career accomplishments include a concert with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, a residency with CBC x SOCAN foundation, and opening for Juno award winning, Aysanabee.
1:00 - Chanelle Albert & The Easy Company
Bilingual artist Chanelle Albert brings indie folk-pop from Sudbury, Ontario, with grit and poetic charm. Heard on SiriusXM and featured at Northern Ontario’s top festivals, her music bridges tenderness and intensity with honesty and style.
Friday October 17
11:00 - Nastasia Y
Ukraine-born Nastasia Y blends Toronto jazz and funk with ancient Slavic folk, inspired by the protest songs of her late father. Her 2024 album Kyiv Soul features lush synths, groovy basslines, and a mix of hope and heartbreak, earning recognition from World Music Charts Europe and the Canadian Folk Music Awards.
11:15 - Maya Killtron
Maya Killtron, Canada’s dynamic Queen of Boogie, is a powerhouse multi-talent celebrated for her vibrant RnB NuDisco Boogie and 80’s funk. Her breakout album, “Never Dance Alone” (2019), catapulted her into the international Boogie scene, followed by the highly anticipated “Persimmon” in 2022. Singles from the albums secured spots in top playlists and CBC’s 2023 Searchlight competition.
Beyond her solo success, Maya is a sought-after collaborator, contributing as a songwriter, producer, arranger, and touring violinist/vocalist. Her influence extends to founding Bowed Arts, a Quartet performance collective and school for strings focused on accessibility and equity.
11:30 - Irish Millie
Irish Millie, a Peterborough-based fiddle player, began her musical journey at age 6. Now 18 and studying Music Industry and Technology at the University of Toronto, she’s a five-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee. Her latest album, “GRACE,” showcases her passion for East Coast, Bluegrass, and Contemporary Trad styles.
11:45 - Vicki Brittle
Vicki Brittle is a Canadian Folk/Rock Singer-Songwriter born and raised in the Ottawa Valley, with soul soaked songs, and an unforgettable distinct voice and energy. With over 6 million online streams, playing festivals like CityFolk, Festival of Small Halls, Bluesfest and writers rounds like Breadmakr Calgary, she is quickly becoming one to watch. Often referred to as an old soul, Brittle can be found shoeless with a six string holding the crowd in her hand, weaving healing lyrics and rhythmic melodies together.
12:00 - The Vaudevillian
The jugband blues from the Ontario, Canada based,Award Winning blues duo, The Vaudevillian consists of; Washboard, Resonator Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica & Musical Spoons to get the crowd going.
Find them at a festival across Canada making the audience dance up a storm.
12:15 - Jim Bryson
Jim Bryson is a National Folk Award nominated Canadian Singer-Songwriter and Record Maker. His most recent project is “Combinations 1+1”, a “rotating cast singles project” which debuted with Jason Tait and John K Samson this last September of 2024. Aside from singing and strumming his own golden hits, Jim produces records out of his Fixed Hinge Studio Recordings shed. His production work has been acknowledged by The Juno Awards, The Canadian Folk Music Awards and The Americana Music Awards.
12:30 - Josh Ritchie
Josh Ritchie is a born performer. Ritchie commands audiences with the confidence of a seasoned front man, serving them larger-than-life, stadium-rock energy at every show. His second studio album Love at the End of the World, which further explored these themes, had a sold out launch event at Lee’s Palace in Toronto and went on to obtain attention throughout North America through such outlets as The CBC, Cashbox Radio, Canadian Beats, Record World International, Volatile Weekly and many more. Now Ritchie prepares for the release of his third studio album So Much More Than a Dream in 2025. This epic concept album tells the story of a young adult searching for peace and purpose in our increasingly turbulent world. Keep a close eye on Josh Ritchie as his artistic and musical prowess soars to new heights in the years to come.
12:45 - Michael Antelope
Michael Antelope Is Doug McBrien and Lenny Lenny also of indie-rock group, Bent Neck and the Joints. MA is a duo project laced in old-timeyness but done uniquely by talented young-timers.
1:00 - Ahmed Moneka
Drawing on his Afro-Sufi musical heritage, Juno-nominated Ahmed Moneka presents a vibrant and transcendent fusion of African rhythms and Arabic folk melodies, enriched by contemporary influences of funk, soul, and jazz. Reflecting on his personal journey as an artist, actor, and activist—who fled Baghdad for Toronto as a refugee after his involvement in a film about gay rights—Moneka, alongside his stellar global ensemble, invites listeners to a jubilant celebration of life. His music explores love in all its forms while evoking a deep sense of longing for one’s homeland, all through original compositions and timeless Middle Eastern classics..
1:15 - JER
Multi-instrumentalist and music producer JER integrates music and visuals to amplify her fusion of Northeastern Brazilian roots with global influences. Born in Bahia, she weaves psycho-tropical grooves with indie and electronic textures, shaping a striking aesthetic in both sound and lyrics. Deeply inspired by her birthplace and her second home, Canada, the Brazilian-Canadian artist reimagines tradition through an eclectic lens, drawing from Hermeto Pascoal’s sonic explorations to the haunting melodies of Joni Mitchell. Her debut full-length album, set for release in fall 2025, features collaborations with a renowned Brazilian producer and musicians who have worked with iconic artists such as Nação Zumbi, BaianaSystem, and Gal Costa.
Saturday October 18
11:00 PM - Avery Florence
Avery Florence is a soft-soul artist whose talent as a songwriter is matched with her angelic yet gritty voice, and undeniable personality - soulful & inspiring. Her voice has been compared to "a hug", and her melodies "spellbinding."
11:20 PM - Francesca Panetta
Thornton, Ontario’s Francesca Panetta is an old soul who describes herself as a “Transcendentalist Wayfinder”. With a heavy focus on songwriting, she is most often stimulated by personal evolution. Gathering inspiration from artists like Billy Joel, Kodaline, Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd, Francesca’s moody tones and introspective lyrics are most enjoyed by the strong in spirit. Francesca’s artistry is a reflection of her experiences, manifesting in her music, inviting her audience to explore the complexities of life with her. With that in addition to her 4-octave vocal range, Francesca captivates the attention of anyone listening, leaving any audience entranced.
11:40 PM - TRIN
12:00 AM - Tessa Balaz
Tessa Balaz is a 3 time NOMFA nominated singer, songwriter, and music producer from Sudbury, Ontario. She spent a decade in Toronto building her career and several programs in Toronto geared toward equity and diversity in the music industry
12:20 AM - Rebekah Hawker
Rebekah Hawker is an Ontario-based folk-country singer-songwriter and storyteller. One of ten kids raised in Barrie, Ontario, she brings the warmth, wit, and honesty of her upbringing to every performance. Known for her pure voice, engaging stage presence, and candid humour, she’s graced stages at Mariposa Folk Festival and Summerfolk Music Festival, and opened for artists including Langhorne Slim, Dean Brody, and The Good Lovelies. In June 2025,Rebekah released her newest EP,Quit My Habit, a collection of songs exploring heartbreak, healing, and hope. Her singles “Ticket” and “Take Me Back” have received airplay on SiriusXM’sNorth Americanachannel, while her song “Twenty-Nine” won the North East Regional Folk Alliance's (NERFA) Quarterly Songwriting Contest amongst such great company as Julian Taylor and Maggies' Wake. Her music has also been featured on CBC Music’sIn the Key of Cand Indie88’sWeekend Café.
12:40 AM - Hannah Green
Hannah Green is an alternative singer-songwriter known for blending folk, indie, and ambient elements to craft a captivating, atmospheric sound. Her debut full-length album, Moving Fast In Slow Motion (2024), produced by drummer and producer Nick Coultas-Clarke (Repartee), delves into the complex themes of love, loss, and the bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood. The album’s emotive depth and unique style earned Green dual nominations for MusicNL's Alternative Artist of the Year and Rising Star of the Year in the same year.
1:00 AM - Chanelle Albert
Bilingual artist Chanelle Albert brings indie folk-pop from Sudbury, Ontario, with grit and poetic charm. Heard on SiriusXM and featured at Northern Ontario’s top festivals, her music bridges tenderness and intensity with honesty and style.
1:20 AM - Briar Summers
1:40 AM - Golden Scoundrels