The Mission Folk Music Festival (MFMF) recently announced the 2023 lineup of music acts slated to perform at the 36th annual festival, July 21, 22, 23, 2023 at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission, BC.
After a flurry of worry earlier this year about the state of local live music festivals, Mission Folk Music Festival is the latest to prove audiences are still hungry for live music and artists still want to reach their fans in person. The 2023 festival features a diverse roster of talented artists and groups from across Canada, the US, and beyond. Over 20 acts are slated to perform at daytime stages and on the evening main stage in the park, which overlooks the Fraser River, just east of Mission. Tickets are on sale now at Early Bird prices extended to May 31.
The MFMF’s Artistic Director, Michelle Demers Shaevitz, has put together a weekend of music that includes both familiar names and exciting new discoveries – covering a lot of musical ground.
The Mission Folk Music Festival is renowned for not only the great music on its stages, but for the warm welcome that awaits artists and festival-goers alike. With a whole-of-community effort, the festival is affordable, offers shaded day stages and opens its arms to create a weekend oasis of friendly, easygoing enjoyment and musical appreciation, proving the harmony at Mission Folk is not limited to the stage.
The festival kicks off Friday night July 21 with a main stage concert lineup. Saturday and Sunday (July 22 and 23) offers music workshops, concerts and collaborations on three daytime stages, with a showcase of artists on the evening main stage both dates. The festival also offers programming for Wee Folks and special features including a festival jam, fiddle camp, a youth open mic and the return of the popular festival choir.
In addition to the great tunes in a fabulous environment, there are both Food and Artisan Market vendors and a licensed, shaded Bistro on site. Attendees can also choose to camp in the park for an additional fee. Over 300 enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers ensure the festival runs smoothly.
Mission Folk Music Festival 2023 Line Up includes:
Patrick Anthony – a storytelling singer/songwriter with a multitude of influences and a family connection to the traditions of the Leq’a:mel First Nations
Blue Moon Marquee – writes and performs original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves
Alysha Brilla – composer, audio engineer, artist and change maker weaving together global roots sounds
Tanika Charles – a soul music power house
Dongyang Gozupa – a progressive rock band with roots in Korean traditional music
David Francey – one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters and storytellers
Kentucky Eileen – meaningful tunes, hand-written and packaged just how you like ‘em.
Tennyson King – a nomadic indie folk musician from Hong Kong and Canada
Abigail Lapell – call her music prairie noir or Canadiana desert rock – or haunting, gorgeous modern folk songs.
Robyn Layne and the Rhythm Makers – blurring the lines between jazz and folk and carving new territory for the marimba
Graham Lindsey – inventive traditional Celtic tunes on mandolin, tenor banjo, guitar and more
OKAN – fusing Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk and global rhythms
The Oot n’ Oots – a family that makes wildly imaginative music, brimming with humour and inspiration for other families
Alex Rake and The Leaves – Alex is a poet and songwriter born and raised in Mission, BC. The Leaves are a ragtag band of experimental folk musicians, each harbouring a dark secret
Skye Consort & Emma Björling – a trans-Atlantic mix of traditional music from Québec, Sweden, Norway, and Celtic music.
Terra Spencer – onstage wit, a butterscotch voice, deft fingerstyle guitar, gospel piano, and ‘70s wood-paneled warmth.
Leonard Sumner – an Anishinaabe singer-songwriter whose music blends aspects of country, folk and hip-hop.
Strongbow & Wry – Everyone is invited to join friendly veteran fiddlers/musicians, Tony Ivan O’Hara and Jennie Bice (AKA Strongbow and Wry).
Twin Flames – this duo ta this duo takes you on a musical journey across Canada and the Arctic, with songs in English, French and Inuktitut.
Jesse Waldman – a Westcoast gem – playing a unique blend of blues and folk
Cedric Watson & Jourdan Thibodeaux – Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco music, as good as it gets.
Wesli – Haitian Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist most noted for winning the 2019 Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year
The 36th Annual Mission Folk Music Festival takes place July 21-23, 2023 at the Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission, BC. Early Bird tickets are on sale now and find full artist and festival details online at missionfolkmusicfestival.ca