2023 Artists Lineup
Five Alarm Funk
Vancouver, BC
Five Alarm Funk is a horn-powered, percussion-fueled sonic and visual assault. Over 17 years of hard funking the band has burned up stages on four continents, released six studio albums and received two Juno Award nominations. Their sweat-drenched concerts are infused with an intense spirit of fun that breaks down barriers between band and audience and moves both into a manic dance party.
Beats Antique
Oakland. CA
You can’t know Beats Antique until you’ve been a part of its journey, and experienced the act as an entity with a life of its own. A stage show that demands more music; music that needs costumes, ships and masks and shadow dances; an audience that comes for art, and takes away stories to feed their imagination.
El Papachango
Oakland, CA
Argentinian Dj sensation, El Papachango has been at the forefront of the West Coast Bass music scene since co-founding the legendary performance and avant-garde production crew, El Circo in 2002. He brought with him a love of music from South America that he blends with west coast underground beats to create a groove that is unique and infectious wherever he goes. His sound is characterized by sexy, soulful banging Global Bass fusion, with a Latin sazon that is quintessential to his name.
BC/DC
Kootenays, BC
For over 20 years, Canada’s favourite rock n’ roll salute, BC/DC, has systematically redefined the concept of a tribute band; garnering iconic status amongst diehard fans, agents, and venues from coast to coast and far beyond. With over-the-top stage energy, they deliver every last note of all the classic songs with absolute authority. Do you remember the first time you believed in Rock n Roll?! Welcome back.
Shred Kelly
Fernie, BC
Shred Kelly is a five piece, alternative folk rock band that emerged from the heart of the Canadian Rockies in 2009. Over the past decade the band have taken their highly energetic live show from humble beginnings on the Canadian ski-town circuit to the international stage. The band’s striking and energy-packed sound has evolved from their eclectic musical influences and their unique experiences as individuals. Their progressive pairing of acoustic instrumentation with electric counterparts, harmonies, and driving rhythm, continues to develop and reach new heights.
Peter & the Wolves
Calgary, AB
Howlin’ Pete Cormier started his band in 2011 with rhythm at its roots, and the purpose of creating a hoppin’ dance floor at every show. He writes his songs in the style of the great rock n’ rollers from the 1950’s like Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly. Peter & the Wolves will have you singing along and dancing like nothing can stop you!
Cousin Harley
Vancouver, BC
Together for almost 20 years, this powerful little trio has been setting stages on fire around the world. Always a festival favourite, they can explode like an active volcano, swing like the Basie band and holler like lonesome hillbilly in the backwoods of the Appalachia all in a single show. Not to be trifled with and not to be missed!
FRASE
Montreal, QC
Frase has captivated fans worldwide for the past decade. His voice and magnetic stage presence have allowed his appeal to grow worldwide organically one show at a time. Just as much at home behind an acoustic guitar and a mic, as he is at the helm of a raving dance floor, his numerous collaborations and musical output highlight the nimble ability to have a soul, a mind, and a really good time all at the same junction. With a soulful buttery rasp vocal delivery that marries beautifully to his high-end productions, Frase’s songs are danceable yet musical, charged with potent messages and heartfelt stories about how he navigates the world through themes of self-actualization, responsibility, environmental consciousness & human rights advocacy.
Gabriel Palatchi Trio
Argentina
A restless innovator known for viscerally exciting sets. Join Argentinian pianist and composer Gabriel Palatchi for an eclectic music journey with his original blend of genres such as Latin jazz, tango, funk, middle eastern and more! Gabriel is one of the hottest contemporary names in the global Latin-jazz: Afro-Cuban and tango-jazz scene. He was included in the list of emerging artists – Billboard magazine and achieved a Gold medal award for best album by the Global Music Awards among many international recognitions. Join the trio as part of their cross Canada Tour 2023.
The Brasstactics
Edmonton, AB
The Brasstactics are a brass party band, serving up brass band originals and hot throwbacks from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s. They have been a staple of pop-up outdoor events and live party shows for nearly 3 years in the Edmonton area, and are guaranteed to get audiences to dance and sing along.
Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys
Saskatchewan, Canada
Jake Vaadeland is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. His traditional sound and unique style could be defined as a blend of Bluegrass and 50’s Rockabilly, with Jake also specializing on guitar and banjo in addition to his impressive vocals. Jake strives to write and play with a focus on storytelling and messages that he hopes his audience can relate to, all packaged in foot stomping, high energy performances with The Sturgeon River Boys
The Gadjo Collective
Edmonton, AB
The sound is original, the origins are ancient, and the rhythm is hot! The Gadjo Collective is a 7 piece juggernaut that combines the energy of balkan music with the sensibilities of jazz improvisation for a show that is compelling to dance to, entertaining to listen to, and a window into the sounds of the east.
The Misery Mountain Boys
Edmonton, AB
You might hear the tunes of the Misery Mountain Boys drifting from behind a rotating bookcase of a 1930’s speakeasy. Harkening back to a simpler time, the MMB’s create a collaborative soundscape infused with tongue in cheek wit, playfulness, and nostalgia. The band’s performance delivers as both classic and fresh, offering a generous variety of sweaty jazz numbers, velvety love songs, and swingin’ jump-blues.
Dirt Floor
Nelson, BC
Nestled in the Mountainous communities of BC’s interior. DirtFloor is a band that lays its foundation in North Americana and Roots Music. Observant and Authentic.They are storytellers at heart – with melodies that contemplate the maddening, mundane and melancholic nature of life and experience.
Earth Freaks
Victoria, BC
The incendiary howl of electric guitars, trance inducing rhythms, and high energy stage theatrics of an Earth Freaks concert have grown an underground cult following wherever they go, and for good reason. They seem to carry the untameable ghost of an unknown rock group from a bygone era, all the while making music that is original, raw and untethered in its excitement.
The Reviberators
Vancouver, BC
The Reviberators are an instrumental surf rock trio from the West Coast of Canada. Since the death of surf legends Dick Dale and The Ventures, The Reviberators answered the call to keep this wild raucous music alive by taking a deep dive into surf music’s first wave. The band plays the early surf guitar hits with an intensity and authenticity rarely heard today. The trio features Noah Walker on guitar and Jodie Ponto on drums (aka Kitty & The Rooster) and Gillian Moranz on bass.
Buddy and the Scarecrow
Vancouver, BC
Buddy and the Scarecrow are a Vancouver based roots and blues jam band who have been steadily building a name for themselves since 2015. The band is known for their energized live shows where they create a powerful synchronicity that evokes an emotional response in the listener. Their creative song writing and strong vocal harmonies combined with their funky jams and seamless transitions keep the dance floors grooving and smiling all night long.
The Circus Acts Insomniacs
Nelson, BC
The Circus Acts Insomniacs are a diverse and dynamic Kootenay based performance troupe. Their combined display of theatrics, dance, aerial acrobatics and stilt walking is sure to bring a smile to your face. Their inspiration is drawn from the connection between music and dance and it’s universal power to communicate. Through their performance they become kinetic storytellers and embrace the spaces around them and the cultures within those spaces
The Heavy Lighters
Nelson, BC
The Heavy Lighters are a 4-piece band that play high energy and heartfelt bluegrass inspired music. The band formed in 2021 in Nelson BC and have written a catalogue of original songs that have captivated audiences across the Kootenays. Often joined by a drummer for live shows, The Heavy Lighters don’t shy away from pushing the boundaries of bluegrass to give audiences an experience similar to other improvisational bands such as String Cheese Incident and Railroad Earth, all while staying rooted in the earnest songwriting which forms the foundation of The Heavy Lighters.
Don Macdonald & Friends
Nelson, BC
This jazz quartet plays in the lively and energetic style of Django Reinhardt while performing songs by jazz icons as well as contemporary artists such as Sting and Leonard Cohen. It features award winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Macdonald on voice and violin along with an all-star cast of Canadian musicians – Mike Rud on guitar (Juno Award Winner), Rob Fahie on bass (former band leader and bassist for Nikki Yanovsky) and Doug Stephenson on guitar (performer, producer, and arranger with Melody Diachun).
Zabel Trio
East Shore of Kootenay Lake, BC
Zabel Trio emerged during the early stages of the pandemic, when Morgan Rael, a seasoned musician originally from New York and Isabelle Drolet, a singer hailing from Montreal, met at an East Shore music night. They brought in Patrick Alexandre, of Manitoba, on standup bass, and together they began to explore exciting new music projects. With Morgan’s unique arrangements, Patrick’s groove, and Isabelle’s smooth and raspy vocals, the trio presents a mix of cover songs from different eras, interpreted in swing, rockabilly, and jazz styles that are sure to get you up and rolling!
Violet Wolf
New Denver, BC
At 15, Kootenay-born, Violet, was musically adopted by road warriors of the blues Bobby and Don Stewart and J. Greg Walter. She went on to tour Canada and parts of the U.S. with cover bands playing at clubs, dive bars, taverns, biker fests and tree planter parties in the woods. Violet Wolf is a wild emotive natural vocalist whose songs are folk, roots, and blues with a dark edge.
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Sam Hurrie
Riondel, BC
Sam Hurrie’s love of blues/roots music goes back to his beginnings as a musician in 1959. He was active throughout the 1960s in the burgeoning Toronto music scene. Sam moved to New York in 1968 as part of the band the Churls, recording and touring the country. He has stayed active since then and has done festivals across Canada, the US, and Europe.
In the Sticks
Slocan Valley, BC
An Afro Sassy Drum/Dance collective influenced by the traditions of the culturally rich regions of West Africa. They play Dunduns in a stand up style with sticks while their full power dance choreographies focus around the drum. At the core of their collective, strongly stands a circle of Engaging and Empowered women. They present a dynamic, highly motivated, energetic, and live musical performance each and every time. Bringing forth themes of Connection, Just Relations, Strength, Community, Balance and Pure Joy, through drumming, dance, singing, theatrics, and spoken word.
Kiki the Eco Elf
Vernon, BC
With bright green hair, rainbow stockings and a heart full of joy, Kiki lights up stages with her playful music and conscientious messages. A beautiful inflatable Haida Art Salmon to tell stories from around the globe, and stilting magic will be on the roster for children’s entertainment as well. Journeying from the Okanagan, she is on the precipice of releasing her 4th and 5th Children’s albums packed with music and story-telling.
Monica Lee
Vancouver, BC
A multidisciplinary artist for over 20 years, Lee is well known for her powerful songwriting and performing in the Roots, Jazz and Country traditions as well as being a charismatic children’s educator in her popular program, Jump into Music. A chanteuse in both French and English, her voice is flexible and sweet on her new LP – singing her loveable original songs and more familiar timeless classics. Her positive and empowering messages that encourage kindness – are designed to inspire the little ones to explore the world around them, connect with nature, and embrace their unique qualities.
Onistah Drummers with Crow Catcher & Jingle Bird
Kootenays, BC
The Onistah Drummers are an intergenerational group of mixed ancestry Indigenous Canadians who have been playing, educating, and performing for over 20 years.
Nemia Darwel- Crow Catcher
Kootenays, BC
Nemia Darwel is Crow Catcher, a Traditional Grass Dancer and mixed fusion dance choreographer, performance artist, and writer. Born and raised in the Kootenays, he is a Metis youth from the Sylix Nation. He is proud to represent at Starbelly, his favorite childhood festival.
Nikita Rain- Jingle Bird
Nelson, BC
Nikita Rain is Secwepemc and Dakelh and is from the Xat’sull First Nation. She also has Danish, Italian, Irish, French and Scottish ancestry. Nikita’s story of resilience and power stems from integenerational healing. Nikita’s biological grandpa is a survivor of the Kamloops Residential School and her father was a “60’s scoop” child, who was adopted into a non-indigenous family and disconnected from his culture and language. Nikita has been pow wow dancing for 4 years. She has been able to connect with her roots, is proud of her culture and loves to share her dance. The jingle dress dance is very powerful, if you have faith in the dress while dancing, it will do what you pray for.
