Third Wave of Artists Announced for 2026 Festival Lineup!!

Yellowknife – We’re thrilled to announce the third wave of artists for this year’s Folk On The Rocks (FOTR) Music Festival, July 17-19, 2026.

With artists coming in across the North and around the world, the 2026 lineup is now complete and shaping up to be one of the festival’s most wide-ranging and exciting editions yet. This final announcement adds everything from indie-rock and hip-hop to folk, reggae, electronic music,, youth performance, and cultural showcases, continuing the festival’s long-standing tradition of bringing diverse voices and unforgettable live performances to the shores of Long Lake.

Among the newly announced artists is acclaimed Canadian comedian, actor, writer, and musician Mae Martin, whose debut indie-rock album I’m A TV has introduced audiences to a new side of their deeply personal and emotionally sharp storytelling. Known internationally for the hit Netflix series Feel Good, Martin brings a rare crossover performance that blends music, vulnerability, and wit.

Also returning to Folk On The Rocks for the first time since 2011, is Polaris Music Prize-winning rapper, producer, and author Cadence Weapon, one of Canada’s most celebrated and forward-thinking hip-hop artists. Known for his sharp lyricism, genre-pushing production, and cultural commentary, Cadence Weapon has become a defining voice in Canadian music and arts. Go Oilers!

This final wave also highlights the incredible strength of Northern and emerging talent, with returning local favourites, youth performers, DJs, roots artists, and cultural groups all set to take the stage. From high-energy dance floors and loud punk sets to intimate folk songwriting and community-driven performances, FOTR 2026 continues to celebrate the spirit of discovery that defines the festival experience.

Festival-goers can also look forward to local food vendors, the artisan market, workshops, family programming, community activations, and lakeside experiences throughout the weekend.

Full festival information, lineup details, and ticketing information can be found at Folk On The Rocks Official Website.

Introducing the third wave of artists for FOTR 2026 in alphabetical order:

Allister McCreadie - A Yellowknife local musician. With his acoustic guitar, Allister puts his heart and soul into his signature folk style, with both original songs and covers of classics.

Braden Lam - Blending authentic songwriting with modern indie flair, Braden Lam is forging the path to a new 21st century sound. The young artist from Halifax, Canada meets the moment on The Cloudmaker’s Cry, an album that makes good on the promise of this folk wunderkind, with music reminiscent of a bygone era set to lyrics pulsing with the urgency and anxiety of today. The titular Cry evokes many kinds—cries of joy, of sorrow, of protest, of rage, of grief—as Lam pushes his voice to new edges exploring these expressions, and then some. He hones in and drills down on the complexity of relationships, the mundanity of adulthood, and the lasting impact of history.

Cadence Weapon - A Renaissance man for the Digital Age, Cadence Weapon aka Rollie Pemberton is rapper/producer/author with a list of accomplishments and credits so long - from receiving industry accolades for his music to receiving awards for critiquing this same industry in his writing - you might wonder what more is there for him to do.

Cows Go Moo - Cows Go Moo is a six-piece band carrying the torch for the next generation of rockers and live music enthusiasts. This touring youth band has been playing festivals since they were 10. The bands has been mentored by Speed Control front man Graeme Peters, bringing stage presence and professionalism well beyond their years. The act has evolved into a full stage experience complete with dancing cows on-stage. The band's repertoire includes a full set of original music plus some crowd rocking covers.

Eric Kane - Emerging from Western Canada with a voice steeped in honesty and conviction, Eric Kane is an artist whose music reflects the deeper currents of the human experience. Marked by a natural ability to translate personal pain into poetic lyricism, Kane’s songs draw from a decade-long journey of navigating grief, resilience, and emotional recovery. His artistry is grounded in a desire to create meaningful connection, offering listeners not just music, but a mirror for their own stories.

Gonia - Gonia is an established band that has spent nearly two decades shaping a distinctive “K-Jazz” identity, widely recognized as more than a fusion, but a new genre with a clear and original sound. Rooted in the simple yet musically rich rhythmic foundation of Korean traditional music, they create polished, high-quality performances that feel both grounded and fresh.

GQ Entertainment - Bringing Lyfe to the Knife! live DJs, game nights, parties, weddings & more. Good Vibes.

Jonny Vu w/ The Co-op - Singer-songwriter and filmmaker Jonny Vu occupies the vibrant space where Pop meets R&B and Hip-Hop. Through a passion for storytelling, he captures the nuance of life’s quietest reflections while never missing a chance to bring the loud ones to life through his music.

Mae Martin - Mae Martin is a Canadian comedian, actor, and writer who expanded their artistic repertoire into music, releasing their debut indie-rock album, I'm a TV, in February 2025. Known for their acclaimed work on the Netflix series Feel Good, Martin’s musical endeavors reflect a "chronic over-sharer" approach, focusing on earnest, autobiographical storytelling without the pressure of finding a punchline.

Primetime - primetime embody drunken swagger with symphonic precision. Weaving lyrical themes of love, loss, loneliness and longing, our sonic trails lead listeners from acoustic landscapes of despair to rugged redemptive righteousness. 

Punch Dummies - Formed in April 2024, Punch Dummies are an emerging pop-punk trio of girls! They played some of their first shows last year, creating new songs and covering some 90s/2000s favourites. If you’re looking to watch a fun, slightly awkward set, Punch Dummies is a great band to see play!

Rebekah Hawker - Rebekah Hawker is an Ontario-based folk-americana songwriter and storyteller. One of ten kids raised in Barrie, she brings warmth, wit, and honesty to every performance. Her kitchen-table banter and sharply drawn stories pull listeners fully into the moment, rooting them in both her world and their own. She’s performed at the Mariposa, Summerfolk, and Live From the Rock festivals, and opened for Langhorne Slim, Dean Brody, and The Good Lovelies. Her 2025 EP Quit My Habit explores heartbreak and healing. Rebekah’s songs have appeared on SiriusXM, CBC Music, Indie88, and college radio, with “Twenty-Nine” winning the North Eastern Regional Folk Alliance’s 2025 Songwriting contest.

Seb & Ash - Seb & Ash are two established DJs who came together after a run of standout back-to-back sets. Now performing as a duo, they blend recognizable edits, bass-driven open-format energy, and club-focused electronic momentum. Their sets are built for packed dance floors and an electric atmosphere that keeps the party moving.

Shauit - Shauit, a native of Quebec's North Coast, sings about the complexity and beauty of the Innu nation by harmoniously blending folk, roots, and reggae. Through heartfelt narratives, primarily in the Innu language, he draws from personal experiences.

smallTALK - Bruce De La Cruz, better known as small TALK, is a former Yellowknife musician originally from Cambridge, Ontario, and now lives in the Yukon. His big heart translates into the big energy he puts into his performances, which has become a staple that small TALK fans expect at every show.

Sonshine & Broccoli - For 17 years, families across Canada have been singing and dancing along with Sonshine and Broccoli, the Juno-nominated duo from Toronto, Canada who know how important it is for children to have music they can call their own. Described as "brilliant performers whose music and energy are infectious" by Chris Kennedy of the Royal Ontario Museum, best friends Lisa Sonshine and Brock Burford have always made their fans feel like part of the family with their upbeat and interactive performances.

St Arnaud - St.Arnaud is the music of Ian (St.Arnaud), a project that balances buoyant, wry storytelling with roots and early indie influences, all wrapped in lively, danceable arrangements. Often described as “the goofy side of self-serious indie rock.” St.Arnaud began as a solo endeavour in the wake of the 2017 passing of close friend and musical collaborator Luke Jansen. What started as an intimate songwriting outlet has since grown into a dynamic live ensemble, featuring drums, bass, keys, electric guitar, and horns—each performance marked by a playful, improvisatory spirit. The self-titled St.Arnaud (Cordova Bay Records 2026) is the third record, but the first to really represent the spirit of a band.

Tree of Peace Jiggers - The Tree of Peace Jiggers are a Yellowknife youth dance group whose performances and workshops share a high-energy dance that has been enjoyed for generations.  As a social activity that promotes connection, culture and community, jigging has long served as a dance that people from diverse cultures have engaged in together. The group emerged from a Jigging Revitalization Project  launched by the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre in 2020, with a vision to reconnect youth to this vibrant cultural tradition and ensure it continues to thrive for future generations.

Folk On The Rocks 2026  tickets are for sale at www.folkontherocks.com/tickets.

The full 2026 lineup can be found at: https://www.folkontherocks.com/artists?lng=en

Special thanks to Folk On The Rocks’ dedicated title sponsor: Lawson Lundell.

Further thanks to our dedicated sponsors and funders: 62 Degrees North; 100.1 GOFM (Vista Radio); Cabin Radio; CANNOR; Capital Suites, City of Yellowknife; DT Electric; Government of Northwest Territories; Heritage Canada; Media Tenois; NNSL; Quality Inn YK; Super 8 YK; The Explorer Hotel.