From folk legends to rising stars, Mariposa 2026 celebrated the sound of home.
In my second year at Mariposa Folk Festival, Tudhope park welcomed me back with the energy and talent from all around the world. Artists and Patrons battled bugs and blazing sun to kick off the music festival summer vibes. With this years slogan of “Sounds Like Home”, Mariposa is always has an ability to make you feel like you’ve come over for a family dinner, with a packed 3 day house concert, in the backyard by the lake.
Adam Baldwin:
For over a decade Adam exudes his East Coat wit, weather palying the guitar or the piano, Baldiwn tells stories from the coatlines, land, and life’s up and downs. Starting off in rock group Gloryhoud, and before turing towards his own music in 2009, he supported May Mays on Piano. During March of 2020 he started a Friday eveing concert series on YouTube, where folks could get a weekly dose of song and connection, as well as raise some funds for a Nova Scotian Mental helth foundation. With a sound of aingst in his voice, and playful melodies, Adam wil be sure to tell a few jokes, and leave you hanging on every note of a song.
Billy Bragg:
Since the 70s the UK’s Billy Bragg, has Protested and prophesied his way around the world, never leaving an audiance without his 2 cense on what’s happening with the world, to come together and sing of freedoms, stand up for the liitle guy, and empathies for our fellow man and woman.
Idologies and opions just effortlessly fall out of Bragg on stage. With 11 studio albums and numeruse music awards, Billy will leave you deep thought in the lyrics, and contemplating the rise and fall of mankind.
Chuck Coloes:
Remembering seeing Chuck open for Chriss Cresswells at the Horseshoe Tavern a couple of years ago, I knew I heard his voice before. With a distinct grit and gravel, the Oshawa, Onartio native, comanded the tweener and side stages. Imagine Bedouin Soundclash and Blues had a baby boy, this is what he would sound like. Living by the Golden Rule and to always have compassion for others.
Dan Mangan:
This was my first time seeing Dan Mangan live. Always turning up his songs when hearing them on the radio. He sounds just like his records, which is true testamte to his craft. Comforted by the effortless melodies, and soft yet strong tone to Mangan’s voice. He shared stories of learning lean into Fatherhood, and making sure we know that Robots have feelings too.
Darla Daniels:
Darla Daniel is known for her thatrical stage pressense before turning twards music. Showing her versitlity, Daniels Joined Stratford Festival in 2004 on the premiere of ‘The Diviners’. She then Melded her Meis roots palying the fiddle in her single “Many Miles”, an imesurable tribute to her late father. Curentlly Daniels is gracing the Indigenous and country radio starions, and music festival across Canada and the US.
Darla is such a joy to watch. Honestly, she’s like a fierce fiddling fairy. With her elegant features, and occsional nose scrunch, the music just flies off her slender fingers. All while epressing a kind smile, you can see the joy the music brings her.
DeeDee Austin:
Part of the Abegweit First Nation on Prince Edward Island, 20 year old Pop Live-wire hybrid artist DeeDee Austin brings her authentic Mi’kmaq culture shaping the East Coast with numerus awards. She even healined the 2023 Canada Games closing ceremonies. Bouncing around the Lightfoot stage Austin sang and danced, projecting powerful poetic songs of charishing the little things, to slow down, and feel it.
Eva Kabande:
From Guadalajara, Mexico, Eva Kabande has over 20 years of experience performing with her guitar. She powerfully delivers traditional Latin American music at festivals and house concerts bring expressive tone and texture to each melody.
Father John Misty:
American Musician Father John Misty satirical singer-songwriter, folk- rock and sharp hummor roll off this tong.
They set the sene for a moody menlencholic mastery and ans ask what’s wrong with saying your feelings outloud. With imediate connection to each emotion it’ easy to get lost in the sway and movement.
Gwenifer Raymond:
Wales Born, Brighton Based Percussive fingerstye instrumentalist, Gwenifer Raymond is that one musician that can transport you straight to a movie soundtrack, or that place where you just need a good instrumental to take you away deep in your thoughts. As soon as Raymond started to play, I was reminded of John Butler’s song ‘Ocean’ and the way it just instantly takes you away to someplace else. She sets herself up, barefoot, one leg crossed over the other, doesn’t say a word, but the most beautiful melodic tones emanate from her guitar. It’s best not to fathom how fast she can play, and just let the music take you elsewhere. Move over Andy Mackee and Tommy Emanual, this sister can strum and harmonic her way around any guitar.
Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys:
From Cut Knife, Saskachewan, Self taught instamealist Jake Vaadeland mixes a fusion of Country, 50’s Rockabilly, and bluegrass. Vaadeland is the youngest artist to achive the ‘Rose Gold’ Certfication by selling 25,000 tickets in 12 months all across Canada. Jake is a 2025 JUNO Award winner, and a 2025 CCMA Award winner. You would have to picture yourself taken to another era when you watch them play.
As came over the the Pub Stage, I found myelf felling as though I went back in time to the Ed Sullivan Show, a 50’s Radio Show, and the hearing the soundtrack to a Clint Eastwood movie. With a true old time storytellers voice inside a young mand body, Jake has a seemingly docile demeaner, but can trasport you to another time.
Kazdoura:
Kazdura which means ‘To Stroll’ in Levantine Arabic, founded in Toronto, this group explores Groove with traditional Arabic rhythms. Having performed across the UK, Canada, and Egypt, and earning them ‘Best New Artist’ at the 2025 Canadian Folk Music awards, and ‘Album Of The Year’ at the Toronto Folk Music awards. With Leen’s Ethereal, and soothing vocals your instantly taken away to an Arabic, Psych-soul atmosphere.
Lemon Bucket Orkestra:
Toronto’s own powerful Ukrianian polyphony sound.
Over 16 years this group has performed across the globe. Lemon Bucket Orchestra is described as Slavic Brass Punks, mixing Balkin rhythms, hip hop, punk, and jazz. From start to finish this group gets you on your feet from beat one, and has you hopping about late into the night.
Lloyd Spiegel:
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Spiegel has grown up around music most of his life since the age of 10. Produced 10 albums, and 14 time Australian Blues Award winner, smashing stages around the world with his seasoned soul enriching blues rock. Adding a brass band element, his Partner Lisa and drummer in toe, the send the audience off with guitar wizardry, rich voice and grit will gather a large crowd instantly.
Mo Kenney:
Kenney From Dartmouth Nova Scotia, Mo Kenney sings sweet songs of life and lessons with guitar rifts and movement. Currently, their 5th studio album ‘From Nowhere’ Kenney with alt country, and soothing folk. This was my third time catching Mo Kenney live, they never disappoint when it comes to relatable songs, sweet melodies and soaring vocals.
Ocie Elliott:
Melodic music duo Ocie Elliott, from Victoria, British Columbia, haven’t been around for long, just shy of 2 years incepted from a chance meeting in Salt Spring Island Cafe. Elliott has Released an EP and a debut album ‘ We Fall In’. Also, their song ‘Run to You’ was in an episode of Grey’s anatomy. With in synch harmonies, dreamy floating vocals, and a soft singer-songwriter tones, Ocie Elliott calms the soul and lets you resonate with each lyric and be lost in a soothing soundscape.
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory:
New Jersey native, Sharron Van Etten embarked on the Indie Rock and independent music scene. Sharon found her sound by exploring what raw emotions and hard to express emotions could be put into powerful lyrics. With the driving force of her band, The Attachment Theory they bring a tight rock rhythm to Sharon’s stage presence.
Shred Kelly:
From the Canadian Rockies, Shred Kelly being the folk, alternative, and rock vibe to any stage. Shred Kelly are welcomed regulars on the Canadian music scene, and I now understand why. They play with such joy and happiness, with literally the biggest smiles on there faces they whole time, and they are a real delight to watch.
St. Paul & The Broken Bones:
From Alabama USA, This group is known for their powerful performance paralleled with reaching vocals from Paul Janeway. Working all the corners of the stage and reaching notes that only Mariah Carrey knows. To preach a song like no other St. Paul & The Broken Bones know how to leave with the gospel according to funk and grove in your shoes.
Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band:
Grammy award winner and legend from the American south.
No pemisson needed when Taj and the band start to play.
Where traditions are holy and remembering your roots are paramount, influences of Caribbean, African, and the world influence their sounds.
The Barr Brothers:
Montreal band The Barr Brothers have a released a new album after 8 years, the members leaning into the way life pulls you into different directions. My Second time seeing them live, I was presently surprised when this familiar name show up on the lineup for Mariposa this year. The Barr Brothers blend big vibrations with harp and guitar and sooth rounded tones. Seeming effortlessly performing song and stories that make you think.
The Free Label:
From Toronto Canda, The Free Lable bring the dance party to town sice 2019. Dress and multi decade musical arrangements bring to a flash back friday or a 90’s RUN DMC music video. Complete with keytar and disco balls, The Free label transfer a high energy dance party well into the night.
Mariposa Folk Festival is always a warm welcome, Where companionship, friendship, and new famllies are formed. workmanship, time volunteered, and a drive to share live music. To find new music and talent are discovered, and perhaps a chance at seeing an old friend once again for a magial music memory.
For more photos from the show, head to our Facebook page!