Celtic Icon Lucy MacNeil Announces Long-Awaited Solo Album and 2025 Tour Dates

 After 37 years of enchanting audiences worldwide as a member of the legendary Barra MacNeils, Lucy MacNeil is stepping into the spotlight with her highly anticipated solo album and a string of tour dates that will bring her rich, soul-stirring voice and deep-rooted Cape Breton traditions to audiences across Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbT80YCrky0

Bruce Cockburn, Ani DiFranco, Oysterband and Guy Davis Among Participating Artists

In September of 2022 an international folk supergroup consisting of 16 artists from six countries on four continents released “Which Side Are You On?” Originally penned as a union song by Florence Reece in 1931, Artists for Action’s version took aim at the rise of far-right politics and the resurgence of fascism around the globe, the most glaring example of which was Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine.

Plus Major Acts Including Doechii, Gracie Abrams, Finneas And More! And For The First Time Ever, An Artist Will Play Both Osheaga And Lasso Montréal!

OSHEAGA Music and Arts Festival presented by Bell in collaboration with Coors Light, is back for its 18th edition! Music lovers will once again gather at Montréal's breathtaking Parc Jean-Drapeau from August 1-3, 2025 to experience a weekend of exhilarating performances, unforgettable moments, and the unmatched atmosphere at one of the most picturesque festival venues there is. This year, for the first time in a long time, OSHEAGA is unveiling its full lineup at once, including a trio of powerhouse headliners that promise to deliver unforgettable performances. The OSHEAGA booking team has curated a festival lineup to include fans of every genre and generation in mind - and to give festivalgoers the opportunity to see the next rising stars before anyone else. It's time to discover your new favourite artist among 87 performers on this year's lineup!

Much like Buddy Holly’s Apartment Tapes, Murry Robe’s Dial Tones delivers raw, lo-fi home demo recordings packed with infectious melodies, witty lyrics, and an authentic blend of doo-wop, garage rock, and rockabilly. Stripped down yet bursting with energy, Murry Robe channels the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll with a modern rebel spirit—unpolished, unfiltered, and undeniably catchy.

Listen here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/murryrobe/dial-tones

Photo Credits: Tracey Savein South Paw Productions

On January 31 Barney Bentall & The Cariboo Express’ celebrated their farewell tour and final concert in Toronto, “The Last Roundup,” joined by an all-star lineup of special guests – William Prince, Jim Cuddy, Tom Wilson and Thompson Wilson, Devin Cuddy, Sam Polley, and Anne Lindsay. It was magical night with great performance by all mentioned.

This sold-out concert was the last chance for fans to catch one of Canada’s most beloved roots and folk collectives while raising funds for Classroom Champions, a nonprofit organization, connecting professional athletes, Olympians and Paralympians with underserved and Indigenous students, fostering social, emotional, and academic growth.

Finally, when your kids ask you what you did in the 80’s that was important and why you listen to that old music so loud!

Take them to see “Just For One Day”!

Watch the YouTube Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3qU20iNN8I

For Every Much Music fan and beyond this is a must see, because we were there together in 1985. When music wanted to save the world.

Brilliantly done, amazing cast great voices great band doing justice to the music of the 80’s.

The highly anticipated Canada’s Teen Jam is bringing together a network of the most talented teen musicians from this country for an unforgettable showcase. Finalists will take the stage at the iconic TD Music Hall in Toronto on February 27, 2025, performing original songs and vying for top honors, cash prizes, and invaluable industry exposure. Tickets are now on sale here.

Highlight: Performances by hip-hop legends Dream Warriors and Mathematik, DJ sets, special guest speakers, and the Canadian Cyphers exhibit at the City of Toronto Archives.

This Black History Month the Canada Black Music Archives celebrates Toronto’s hip-hop icons and the impact the city has had on the genre. Often overlooked due to the popularity of our neighbours to the south, Toronto hip-hop is long overdue for its flowers.

Starting February 1^st and running to the end of the month, Canadian Cyphers: Elements of Toronto Hip-Hop will be open to the public at the City of Toronto Archives located at 255 Spadina Rd. This exhibition offers a glimpse at the many greats who have built the Toronto hip-hop scene and the elements that set the genre apart. Explore album covers, photographs, turntables and more. The exhibit will also feature items from Toronto’s iconic 100 Miles brand and an audiovisual display featuring a mix of live performances and interviews from hip-hop’s early days.

Internationally acclaimed country-rockers, the Cooper Brothers, are joining the fight against the threat of U.S. tariffs. 

With the possibility of 25% tariffs being levied by new U.S. President Donald Trump on all Canadian goods as early as February 1st, the Cooper Brothers are re-releasing their song "That's What Makes Us Great".

The 51tst State? Take off, eh! The Cooper Brothers are back with a song that’s as Canadian as a double-double, a frozen pond, and a game-winning goal in overtime.

“That’s What Makes Us Great!” is a love letter to the True North, strong and free, celebrating the spirit, resilience, and unshakable pride that defines this country.

Inspired by a chance encounter with young soldiers returning from Afghanistan, Richard Cooper channeled their passion, dedication, and unwavering belief in making a difference into lyrics that remind us of what it means to be Canadian. “We never seem to toot our own horn,” Cooper reflects, “but we have so much to be thankful for.”

COUNTRY MUSIC TAKES OVER MONTREAL: LASSO 2025 LINEUP UNVEILED,
WITH SHERYL CROW, RILEY GREEN, SHABOOZEY AND MORE
JOINING PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED HEADLINERS
BAILEY ZIMMERMAN AND JELLY ROLL!

Saddle up, country music fans! LASSO Montreal, presented by Bell in collaboration with Coors Original is thrilled to announce the lineup for its 2025 edition, taking place on August 15-16 at the picturesque Parc Jean-Drapeau on Montreal's Île Sainte-Hélène (and LASSO in the City on August 14). Building on the excitement of the previously announced headliners Bailey Zimmerman and Jelly Roll, this year’s festival promises a celebration of country music like never before, bringing together chart-toppers, legends, and rising stars. 

The award-winning band Bara Jonson and Free are taking a significant step in their musical journey. With the help of an EU grant from the Belem program, the band is translating their acclaimed album BJF New Era into Swedish under the title BJF Ny Era. The result will be released as a fully Swedish version of the album in the summer of 2025.

“This is going to be amazing!" says Malin Östh, one of the band members. “It feels like a natural next step for us to reach even more people with our songs, now in our own native language.”

Jonas Tancred adds, “With the support from Belem, we have the opportunity to truly explore linguistic nuances and do justice to our lyrics in Swedish. We hope this will create an even stronger connection with our audience, both at home and in other parts of the world.”

The Belem program is part of the EU’s efforts to promote cultural diversity and linguistic translations, and Bara Jonson and Free are among the few Swedish bands to have received this prestigious grant.

February 14–16, 2025

Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto, ON
Friday, February 14: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, February 15: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, February 16: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Earlybird Tickets Now On Sale Until January 31 Here

Winterfolk, Toronto’s beloved annual celebration of folk, blues, and roots music, returns for its 23rd year from February 14–16, 2025, at the iconic Tranzac Club. This year’s festival promises an extraordinary mix of established artists, including Michael Jerome Browne, Dala, Sultans Of String, Donné Roberts, Russell deCarle, Amanda Rheaume, and Tannis Slimmon, alongside emerging talent and community-driven performances, all set to reignite the spirit of live music and inspire audiences of all ages.

Destination Markham proudly announces the return of the wildly popular Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest for its third year. Building on the success of the sold-out 2023 and 2024 editions, this year’s series promises even more memorable evenings celebrating the vibrant culinary and musical culture of the City of Markham. With six events planned from late January to March 2025, Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest continues to grow as a must-attend cultural experience in the Greater Toronto Area.

2025 Event Schedule:

Garth Hudson was always an enigma, a man who let his music do the talking while he stood in the shadows, quietly shaping the sound of The Band and, by extension, the very fabric of Americana. He was the quiet heartbeat behind anthems of dust and dreams, a reluctant hero whose touch on the keys carried the weight of centuries. Whether pushing the boundaries of the Lowrey organ or diving headlong into the rich textures of the piano, Hudson approached each instrument with reverence and curiosity, never content to settle for the obvious. The tracks he left behind are witnesses to his genius—painstakingly mixed, fixed, and prepared with a craftsman’s devotion. Garth Hudson didn’t just play music; he resided in it, breathed life into it, and left a legacy that resonates with every note. God bless this man.

Founder – Birdsong New Music Foundation

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, a bird only sings because it has a song.” – ancient Chinese Proverb (reassigned to Maya Angelou, 2001).

Live Event Photo Credits: Allan Tong

The Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) celebrates its golden anniversary with January exhibitions opening for Time Isn’t Real and Dry Thunder.

2025 marks 50 years of the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB), giving us a unique chance to examine the past, look towards the future and find our place in the present. Exhibitions feature Canadian artists and curators, circulating stories of place and our relationship to time.

The AGB is kicking off this golden anniversary with a winter exhibition opening reception on January 16, 2025 for Time Isn’t Real and Dry Thunder. Members, media, and VIP are invited for a special preview from 5:30–6:30pm, followed by the public opening from 6:30–8:00 pm. Artist remarks and tours will take place at the gallery over the course of the night.

The AGB is thrilled to launch Time Isn’t Real. This landmark exhibition celebrates 50 years of artistic production, cultural festivities, and storytelling through the lens of contemporary Canadian ceramics. It invites viewers to consider how the lessons of the past and the potential of the future shape the artistic moment we live in today.

June 13-14 2025 will mark the 5^th Anniversary of Lilla By Festivalen and the plans are starting to shape up with announcements coming soon.

Lilla By Festivalen is an amazing music festival held in Rinkaby, Sweden. It's a celebration of music, family, and community, set amidst the beautiful Swedish countryside. The festival has been running for several years and has become a beloved event in the region. In 2025, Lilla By Festivalen will celebrate its 5-year anniversary with a brand-new festival experience, featuring a lineup of exciting artists and activities for all ages.

Founders and Producers of Lilla By Festivalen Malin Osth and Jonas Tancred, shared their thoughts, "We are incredibly proud of the musical cultural bridges that Lilla By Festivalen has built between Sweden and Canada. It is an honour to promote the exchange of music, culture, and friendship between our countries, and we look forward to continuing to develop this unique partnership in 2025 to continue to grow and strengthen the bonds between Canada and Sweden with further development of your home away from home, the Kanada Barn.”

Destination Markham proudly announces the return of the wildly popular Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest for its third year. Building on the success of the sold-out 2023 and 2024 editions, this year’s series promises even more memorable evenings celebrating the vibrant culinary and musical culture of the City of Markham. With six events planned from late January to March 2025, Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest continues to grow as a must-attend cultural experience in the Greater Toronto Area.

2025 Event Schedule:

February 14–16, 2025
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto, ON
Friday, February 14: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, February 15: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, February 16: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Winterfolk, Toronto’s beloved annual celebration of folk, blues, and roots music, returns for its 23rd year from February 14–16, 2025, at the iconic Tranzac Club. This year’s festival promises an extraordinary mix of established artists, including Michael Jerome Browne, Dala, Donné Roberts, Russell deCarle, Amanda Rheaume, and Tannis Slimmon, alongside emerging talent and community-driven performances, all set to reignite the spirit of live music and inspire audiences of all ages.

David Farrell was a pal, a confidante, and a consummate craftsman of words. He was a visionary editor whose passion for music and storytelling transformed Canadian journalism. Much like the finest musicians he celebrated, David possessed an innate rhythm and flow in his writing, weaving narratives that struck at the heart of our shared cultural experience.

I often nudged him to write more. "Do that book," I’d say. The skill, clarity, and tone in his columns were something to marvel at. Recently, he asked me to locate as much of his work as possible. A good amount was available on FYI Music News, but it was the earlier work he was most concerned with. I understand why. There’s gold in those memories—the kind that sparkles brightest when unearthed. Sadly, time was never an ally in organizing those treasures into a book or hunting down the rest.