The first wave of musical artists for the 2025 Folk on the Rocks music festival has just been announced!
What is likely the most anticipated event in the entire NWT, Folk on the Rocks is once again returning to bring some of the finest musicians and musical performances to the lakeshores of Yellowknife! Rap, rock, rhythm and blues, and all kinds of other genres will be showcased on the multiple stages for all ages!
Once again, the lineup of artists is being revealed in three waves. The second wave is set to drop on April 25th, while the third and final wave will come on May 16th.
Here is the first batch of artists:
Arielle Soucy: Coming from Montreal and an increasingly popular artist in Quebec, Arielle is talented in multiple instruments, writes her own songs, and had her debut album listed as Best Album of the Year by several major outlets!
Glam on the Rocks: This will be a late night burlesque show featuring many beloved local performers!
GODSON: Operating in the Northwest Territories for more than thirty years, Aaron Hernandez is a hip-hop artist with eleven albums to his name who has performed all across North America. He returns from a 2024 hiatus after recovering from Stage 4 T-Cell Lymphoma Cancer.
Hendrika: Coming from the Yukon, we have a folk musician who plays multiple instruments and has a unique collection of genre=spanning music. Her latest EP was released just last year, and she will be touring it later this summer.
Jeremie Albino: Getting his start by simply performing on the streets of Toronto as a teenager, Albino has since made a name for himself with his strong storytelling chops through the medium of classic country and old school rock ’n roll.
Johnnie Melancholy: A foreign charmer, Johnnie puts his heart and soul into all of his music, both his original songs, and his covers!
Jonathan Antoine: A local boy from Fort Simpson, Antoine first started playing music as a hobby, and then decided to take to the stage in 2023, where he brings his Dene heritage into his captivating folk music.
Major Funk: This band from the Yukon brings a high-energy bass and powerful vocal performances, topped off with a sturdy horn section.
Meridian: A joint band consisting of members from two different musical groups from Hay River and Yellowknife, who ended up meeting at last year’s FOTR!
NADUH: These five ladies each bring their own presence and personality to this hip hop/R&B group. Their goal is to bring unity to their crowds with their seemingly otherworldly sounds.
Petere Dreams: Previously serving as the co-lead of the JUNO award winning band July Talk, Peter Dreimanis is charting his own path with a lineup of soul-searching music born from his own self reflections.
Reverend Doctor Michael Bokor: Suspected to hail from Yellowknife, Bokor’s music is experimental to say the least, as he does his best to craft sounds that might not even be from this planet.
The Johnnys: Keeping most of their works around three minutes, The Johnny’s pack those three minutes with high intensity rock and roll, and a mix of Indigenous languages and values that leaves feet tapping and heads banging!
Tinge: Getting their career started at just 14, Veronica Blackhawk released their first album through a Winnipeg recording label in 2023, and now leads this 3 piece indie-rock performance!
Yellowknife Dene Drummers: As with many other events across the city, FOTR 2025 will be christened with a quick good-luck prayer and performance from the Dene Drummers, who hail from the Ndilo and Dettah communities, and welcome performers of all ages!
That’s all of the performers for this wave, but more will be revealed before you know it!
The full festival is scheduled to take place from July 18th to the 20th.
