Two more Juno award-winning musicians will be performing at the 37th annual Peterborough Folk Festival, which takes place from August 13 to 16 in downtown venues and across four stages at Nicholls Oval Park, along with more local bands and musicians.
On Thursday morning (July 2), festival organizers announced that Arabic psychedelic funk duo Kazdoura and hip-hop artist Shad are among the second wave of more than 30 artists who will be performing during this year’s festival. The first wave of performers — including Juno award winners Bahamas and Begonia as well as The Pairs, Kelly McMichael, The Young Novelists, The Lucky Ones, and more — was announced back in May.
Newly announced local performers include Peterborough’s Melissa Payne, The Weber Brothers, and 17-year-old singer-songwriter Ollie Mae, along with Alderville First Nation’s Cale Crowe and the return of Lindsay indie rockers The Kents.
Other established and emerging artists who will perform at the festival include Tennyson King, Georgia Harmer, Lauren Dillen, Friendly Frogs Freakshow, and Burs.
Short bios of each of the newly announced artists, whose music spans folk, funk, indie, hip-hop, roots, and beyond, are provided below.
Festival organizers say they will be announcing the third and final wave of artists, along with the full performance schedule, later in July.
The Peterborough Folk Festival kicks off with ticketed concerts at downtown Peterborough venues on Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 14, followed by a weekend at Nicholls Oval Park including free concerts and workshops where artists collaborate for one-of-a-kind performances, an artisans village, and a children’s village with free daily programming from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring crafts, workshops, story time, face painting, and a daily children’s parade.
Canada’s longest-running free admission folk festival, attracting over 16,000 locals and visitors every year and generating an estimated $1.5 million in economic impact, the Peterborough Folk Festival is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers and supported through government grants, partners, sponsors including kawarthaNOW, and community members, with all funds going towards running the festival, including paying artist fees and covering operational costs.
A suggested donation of $25 per person will help to offset a portion of the costs and is eligible for a tax receipt. You can donate online at www.peterboroughfolkfest.com or on-site during the festival.
Second wave of 2026 Peterborough Folk Festival artists
Kazdoura
Kazdoura — meaning “to stroll” in Levantine Arabic — embodies the spirit of exploration, nostalgia, and groove. Founded in Toronto by Syrian vocalist Leen Hamo and Lebanese multi-instrumentalist John Abou Chacra, the Juno Award-winning duo bridges modern and traditional Arabic music with psychedelia, funk, and soul. Their sound radiates a vintage psych-soul atmosphere.
Shad
Shad (Shadrach Kabango), a Canadian recording artist of Rwandan descent raised in London, Ontario, is known for blending humour and weighty themes, inspiring positivity while exploring a range of sounds. Shad won the Juno Award for Rap Recording Of The Year in 2011 and five of his albums have been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize for Canadian Album Of The Year, the most shortlist nominations of any artist in the prize’s history.
The Friendly Frog Freak Show
Amphibian progressive funk energetically charged and ready to fire you up into a vortex of infinite sounds and colours backed by an eclectic rhythm section offering dancey shivers and auspicious ambiances to make you bring out your inner frog.
VIDEO: “Khayal” – Kazdoura
Tennyson King
Tennyson King is an award-winning, nomadic folk musician whose life and music stretch between Hong Kong and Canada. Performing in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, King builds his sound around rhythmic guitar, kick drum, and traditional instruments like the zhongruan. He has performed around the world, including an appearance at Glastonbury Festival, and earned a nomination for Performing Artist of the Year at the Ontario Folk Music Awards.
Georgia Harmer
Known for her ethereal voice and sincere lyricism, Georgia Harmer has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in Canada’s indie music scene. Her songs move fluidly across a wide emotional range-shifting from soaring, cathartic anthems to hushed, intimate reflections with ease. Harmer has toured extensively across North America and the UK, performing at major festivals such as SXSW, The Great Escape, and Focus Wales, and supporting artists including City & Colour, Lake Street Dive, Bahamas, and Broken Social Scene.
Lauren Dillen
While Lauren Dillen’s soothing voice and deft musicianship can be heard through her work with folk-rock quartet Burs, her solo project is all about self-work and following her instincts. Her songs are reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Laura Marling, and Andy Shauf, with soundscapes informed by ambient musicians like Emily A. Sprague.
Burs
Burs (the small things that stick with you) comprises Lauren Dillen, Ray Goudy, Devon Savas and Aidan McConnell. Hailed as “a rich and often ethereal collection of songs able to change with fluid ease” by The Revue, Burs debut album Holding Patterns was released in September 2022.
Cale Crowe
Born and raised on Alderville First Nation territory, Cale Crowe was fuelled by music from the time he had a heartbeat. That love of music and sense of “life soundtrack” would lead him to picking up his father’s guitar for the first time at age 12 and performing live for his first audience at 14. Crowe’s blend of campfire-style folk and modern pop/rock reflects and builds upon the taste he developed all those years ago.
Ollie Mae
Ollie Mae is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter who channels the classic sound of folk, CanRock, and country roots through her music. Since age 16, Mae has worked as a recording and mixing engineer at Treblecock Studio in Peterborough. She’s been diligently working on her self-produced first album throughout the year, and is elated at the opportunity to play at the 2026 Peterborough Folk Festival.
VIDEO: “Soil” – Burs
The Kents
They’re back! Formed in 2011 in Lindsay, The Kents are composed of homegrown talents Warren Frank, Freddy Kwon, Tanner Paré, Luke Shauf, and 2022 Folk Fest Emerging Artist Nathan Truax. The Kents, who offer a unique indie-pop sound that is reminiscent of Foster the People, Young the Giant, and The Arkells, have appeared on many big stages, including Canadian Music Week in 2018.
The Weber Brothers
Between their renowned musical ability, high-energy, awe-inspiring performances and lessons learned first hand from rock n’ roll pioneers, The Weber Brothers have developed a reputation as the “Baddest Band in the Land.” Over the past 25 years, Ryan and Sam Weber have released 18 albums — with their latest, a self-titled 11-track record, released this past May before a sold-out audience at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough.
Melissa Payne
Hailing from Ennismore, Melissa Payne has made a lasting impact on the music scene, and her journey has only just begun. Originally rooted in old-time fiddle and traditional Celtic music, Payne has now blossomed into a successful solo artist with three full-length albums under her belt. Her live performances have garnered critical acclaim, and she has had the privilege of collaborating with some of Canada’s biggest names in music. Notable guest collaborators include Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor, James McKenty, Matt Mays, Natalie MacMaster, cellist Nathaniel Smith, and Jimmy Bowskill, showcasing Payne’s ability to work with renowned artists.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a sustaining partner of the Peterborough Folk Festival.
