New Artists, New Stage and Sponsor, and Summer on the Horizon: Here’s your Peterborough Folk Festival NewsletterPeterborough Folk Festival Announces
First Wave of 2026 ArtistsThis year’s artists include Juno Award winners and nominees, Polaris-recognized songwriters, internationally touring performers, and emerging voices who are shaping Canada’s contemporary music landscape. Several performers also have deep ties to Peterborough, including Kelly McMichael, Drea Naysayer, Laura Spink of The Young Novelists, and Ryan West of The Lucky Ones—artists whose careers have grown from the local scene to national and international stages. |
 | Bahamas: A globally successful touring artist, Bahamas has earned widespread acclaim across genres, with over ¾ of a billion streams and more than 3 million monthly listeners. His albums Bahamas Is Afie and Earthtones both won Juno Awards, and in 2026 he again won Adult Alternative Album of the Year for My Second Last Album, shared with Begonia. |
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Begonia: Winnipeg-based artist Begonia (Alexa Dirks) is celebrated for her powerful live performances and genre-blending sound. A two-time Juno and Polaris nominee, her 2026 release Fantasy Life earned a Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year. |
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 | The Pairs: This internationally touring trio is known for sibling harmonies, humour, and intimate stage presence. Their 2025 album Together on a Rock charted in the top 10 on the FAI Folk Charts and received national radio play. |
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Kelly McMichael: A Polaris-shortlisted songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, McMichael blends indie rock, pop, and experimental sounds. A previous Peterborough Folk Festival Emerging Artist, her albums have earned national acclaim, with After the Sting of It winning MusicNL’s Album of the Year and receiving widespread radio play. |
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 | The Young Novelists: This internationally touring duo, featuring Peterborough’s Laura Spink, is known for rich harmonies and storytelling. Their 2025 album These Dark Canyons was nominated for a 2026 Juno Award. |
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Field Guide: A Winnipeg-based artist known for atmospheric songwriting, Field Guide has amassed millions of streams and toured alongside major acts including Bahamas and Leif Vollebekk. |
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 | Dean Johnson: The Seattle-based singer-songwriter broke out with his debut album at age 50, earning attention for his emotionally resonant songwriting and distinctive voice. |
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The Lucky Ones: Blending classic country-roots with contemporary sounds, this Yukon-based group (featuring Peterborough’s Ryan West) draws from generations of musical tradition. |
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 | The Naysayers: Led by Drea Naysayer, a previous Peterborough Folk Festival Emerging Artist, this genre-blending project spans folk, country, alt-rock, and punk. With 10 independent albums and international touring experience, they continue to build a passionate following. |
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The Free Label: This Toronto-based six-piece delivers high-energy funk, disco, and R&B, with international touring experience and millions of views of their live performances. |
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 | The Watched Pots: This Peterborough songwriting duo blend improv songwriting, feminism, humour, and kitchen theatrics to make music creation accessible and fun for beginners. |
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Slow Leaves: The project of Winnipeg’s Grant Davidson, who writes songs about vulnerability that elevate the ordinary into poignant narratives with indie-folk and pop inclinations. |
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 | Moondoggy: Formed in Collingwood, this lively alternative rock band now based in Toronto has gained tens of millions of streams worldwide and toured across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. |
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TD Bank Group Sponsors New Fourth Stage at PFFPeterborough Folk Festival is excited to share that TD Bank Group has officially confirmed its support for the 2026 festival by sponsoring a brand new fourth stage: the TD Stage. Located directly across from the Generation Solar Stage, this new addition will allow for a seamless flow of music, with performances and workshops alternating back and forth between the two stages. The introduction of this new stage expands opportunities to showcase local artists, emerging voices, and Indigenous performers, while also creating room for workshops and interactive programming. This milestone reflects the continued growth of the festival and the strength of its community partnerships. For the first time, Peterborough Folk Festival will feature multiple sponsored stages: the Miskin Law Main Stage, Rotary Stage, TD Stage and Generation Solar Stage. Huge thanks to TD for helping the festival to evolve while remaining an inclusive and vibrant celebration of music, culture, and community. |
| Be Part of the PFF Team by Volunteering! |
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Peterborough Folk Festival is powered by volunteers. Volunteer recruitment for 2026 is now open, with both new and returning volunteers invited to be part of this summer’s festival on August 15 & 16. Whether you enjoy working behind the scenes to set up the festival site, welcoming families to the Children’s Village, supporting sustainability initiatives, or assisting artists and production teams, there is a role for you at Folk Fest. Volunteers receive a 2026 festival T-shirt, a meal, and the opportunity to connect with others in a vibrant, community-focused environment. High school students can also receive volunteer hours toward their community involvement requirement. Learn more about available roles and sign up today at: https://www.peterboroughfolkfest.com/volunteer Leadership Opportunities (reply to this newsletter to learn more): Festival Volunteer Roles: |
Huge thanks to our 2026 festival sponsors so far!As we celebrate an exciting year for Peterborough Folk Festival, including receiving the 2026 Festivals and Events Ontario Sustainability Award, we want to extend our deepest thanks to the sponsors and community partners who have stepped forward to support the 2026 festival so far. Please consider supporting these organizations and businesses. |
| We love partnering with artists who know the festival well, and we think Kathryn Durst captured the spirit and heart of Folk Fest perfectly with this family enjoying the Nicholls Oval Park hillside. You’ll be able to buy festival T-shirts with this gorgeous design at the Merch Booth this August (or sign up to volunteer and receive one for free!!) |
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Peterborough Folk Festival: Music, Culture & Community
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