=How North2North Turned a Music Competition into a Canadian/Swedish Family at Lilla By Festivalen 2026

Long before the first note rang out across the fields of Rinkaby, Sweden something remarkable was already taking shape.

Artists from across Canada arrived on different flights, converging by train in Kristianstad before being warmly welcomed by Lilla By Festivalen co-founder Jonas Tancred. From there, they travelled together to the picturesque Baltic Sea cabins in Åhus, where the Canadian delegation would make its home for the next four unforgettable days.

For many, it was their first visit to Sweden, some even Europe. For others, it was a welcome return. Yet within hours, any sense of being strangers had quietly disappeared.

Canadian independent artists to perform at Lilla By Festivalen June 12-13, 2026 - in a landmark first for Canada-Sweden musical exchange

The inaugural North2North Competition named three extraordinary Canadian indie artists who will be heading to Sweden, to not only perform at featured showcase shows but to proudly represent Canada at a time when we are being recognized as a country with amazing musicians.

Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, states that Canada is the 3^rd largest exporter of music: www.youtube.com/shorts/ppP2s72e3Fs

Fresh Breath, Irish Millie, and Donita Large have each earned a spot in a Canadian landmark event, where they will perform on the main stage and in the beloved festival's very own Canada Barn, where our Canadian flag is flown with pride. This is the first time a competition of this kind has opened a direct performance pipeline between Canadian indie artists and one of Sweden's most warmly regarded independent festivals.

Canadian independent artists to perform at Lilla By Festivalen in Rinkaby, Sweden - June 12-13, 2026 - in a landmark first for Canada-Sweden musical exchange

CANADA/SWEDEN - The inaugural North2North: The Artist Gateway competition has named its winners - and three extraordinary Canadian indie artists are heading to Sweden. Fresh Breath, Irish Millie, and Donita Large have each earned a spot in a Canadian contingent travelling to Lilla By Festivalen in Rinkaby, Sweden on June 12 and 13, 2026, where they will perform on the main stage and in the beloved festival's very own Canada Barn, where our Canadian flag is flown with pride. This is the first time a competition of this kind has opened a direct performance pipeline between Canadian indie artists and one of Sweden's most warmly regarded independent festivals.

In 2016, Bara Jonson and Free submitted the song Appetite to Melodifestivalen in Kristianstad, Sweden.  It didn’t make the cut. The song was released later that year anyway and went on to live a life of its own.

Now, almost exactly ten years later, it’s time again. “Appetite ANNO X” is released the same weekend Melodifestivalen returns to Kristianstad. Sometimes life and timing are magical, and this is no exception with the latest release from BjF.