Music on the River

ARTISTS

Terra Lightfoot

For fans of: Gritty blues-rock, soulful vocals, and electrifying guitar solos.

Saturday night’s headliner is none other than Hamilton's own Terra Lightfoot, a two-time JUNO nominee and Polaris Prize long-listed powerhouse. Renowned for her soaring, soulful vocals and ferocious guitar chops, Terra seamlessly blends roots-rock energy with deep blues grooves. Her explosive, world-class live performance is the perfect way to cap off Saturday night at Music on the River.

For fans of: Motown, heavy-grooving funk, and packed dance floors.

Friday night headliner Sly Fox is bringing a powerhouse 10-piece lineup specifically to Music on the River. Featuring elite, award-winning musicians who have toured with Shawn Mendes, Daniel Caesar, and Jessie Reyez, they specialize in ultimate party essentials—from Motown and funk to classic rock and soul. Get ready for an unforgettable, high-energy dance party!

Sly Fox

Emily Burgess

For fans of: Gritty guitar riffs, driving blues-rock, and soulful, front-and-center songwriting.

Peterborough-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter Emily Burgess is a tour de force on six strings. A highly sought-after freelance guitarist, she has lent her formidable skills to Canadian roots royalty like The Weber Brothers and Rita Chiarelli. Fronting her own trio, Emily took home the Maple Blues Award for Best New Artist, and earned a JUNO nomination as a member of the acclaimed roots band The 24th Street Wailers. Expect a masterclass in blues-rock guitar and a high-voltage performance.

Avery Raquel

For fans of: Timeless retro soul, smooth R&B, and powerful, jazz-infused vocals.

Canadian Alternative Soul artist Avery Raquel effortlessly blends vintage soul, R&B, jazz, and pop into a sound that is both fresh and deeply nostalgic. Boasting a powerhouse voice and exceptional songwriting, Avery has debuted in the Top 5 on the Canadian iTunes R&B chart, stood out as a multi-finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, and toured across North America and Europe. Her warm, emotional, and captivating set is an absolute must-watch for festival-goers who love a deep groove.

JIN

For fans of: Gritty Southern blues, Northern soul, and explosive 60s psychedelic rock.

Hailing from Niagara Falls, JIN is a powerhouse three-piece "time-machine-freight-train." Channelling the raw grit of vintage blues and the wild energy of 1960s psych-rock, their original music and high-octane stage presence make for a unique, explosive live show. Get ready for a loud, nostalgic, and utterly unforgettable set.

Fraser Melvin

For fans of: High-energy blues, roots rock, and musical wizards who can play almost anything.

A true musical Swiss Army knife, Fraser Melvin is a Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist, singer, and bandleader who plays everything from guitar and lap steel to trombone and keys. A fixture of the Southern Ontario music scene, Fraser leads his own band and has shared stages with Canadian icons like Jim Cuddy and blues legend Johnny Winter. Having lit up major stages like the Montreal and Toronto Jazz Festivals, his incredibly versatile, high-energy performance is guaranteed to get the festival crowd moving.

Clerel

For fans of: Leon Bridges, Sam Cooke, vintage acoustic soul, and velvety vocals.

Born in Cameroon and based in Montreal, Clerel crafts music that feels like a warm memory—tender, unhurried, and deeply human. Seamlessly blending classic soul, R&B, and acoustic folk with a distinct bilingual charm, his velvety tone has made him a beloved staple of the Canadian festival circuit. Armed with just a guitar and a smooth, golden voice, Clerel delivers a captivating, deeply emotional performance that is guaranteed to win over the festival crowd.

Sleepy Jean

For fans of: Dreamy Americana, vintage jazz, spaghetti western vibes, and Lana Del Rey.

Hailing from Welland, Ontario, Sleepy Jean (the captivating alter-ego of singer-songwriter Katey Gatta) reimagines the sounds of yesteryear into a nostalgic blend all her own. Described by CBC’s Odario Williams as a "spaghetti western Lana Del Rey" and compared to the likes of Hope Sandoval, her haunting, retro-infused jazz-Americana sound has garnered praise from CBC’s Q and amassed hundreds of thousands of streams. Hers is a deeply atmospheric, cinematic voice that is best experienced live.

Chynna Lewis

For fans of: Soulful Pop, R&B, and powerhouse vocals.

Toronto-based singer-songwriter and producer Chynna Lewis brings an effortless blend of smooth R&B and stellar pop vocals to the stage. She has shared spotlights with global giants like Ed Sheeran and Jessie Reyez, performed on The Late Late Show, and recently sang the national anthems for the Toronto Raptors. Fresh off the acclaim of her self-produced debut EP, What Are Friends For, Chynna delivers a high-energy, world-class live set you won't want to miss.

Leah Holtom

For fans of: Heartfelt storytelling, acoustic folk, and warm country tones.

Award-winning singer-songwriter Leah Holtom crafts music that feels like a warm embrace. Combining tender, soaring vocals with rich acoustic arrangements, Leah won the Ontario Arts Council’s prestigious Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award for her debut single, "Face The Day." Having opened for the likes of Alessia Cara and performed a tribute to Joni Mitchell at Massey Hall, Leah’s intimate, community-driven performance is the perfect soundtrack for a sunny festival afternoon.