Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the Joel Plaskett Emergency is a Nova Scotia rock trio known for its raw chemistry, sharp songwriting, and powerful live shows. The Emergency (Joel Plaskett, Dave Marsh, and Chris Pennell) has built a lasting reputation as one of Canada’s most dynamic live acts.

With acclaimed albums, major tours, and a diehard audience built through decades of performances and recordings, the band remains a uniquely recognizable group effort within Plaskett’s wide-ranging body of work.

Their road history highlights include U.S. dates supporting The Tragically Hip, touring Australia, opening for Paul McCartney in Halifax, and headlining the legendary Massey Hall. Rooted in Nova Scotia, Joel Plaskett Emergency has earned awards and nominations from the Junos, Polaris, CBC, ECMA, Music Nova Scotia, and more, while bringing its joyful energy to audiences across Canada—from Newfoundland and Labrador to Iqaluit and Dawson City.

The Jaynes write the catchiest songs you’ve never heard… unless you’ve had the chance to catch one of their infrequent live performances over the past 15 years.

Led by songwriter Shane O’Handley, perhaps Cape Breton’s most prolific musician who’s performed as part of the Tom Fun Orchestra, Carmen Townsend Band, and Mhira Blood amongst many others, the band evokes nostalgia for the best of the 90s Halifax indie scene while blossoming into something entirely fresh and timeless. The resulting songs present an earnest voice amongst melodic guitars and driving rhythms that transcend expectations.

JRDN first emerged on the national stage with his 2010 debut album IAMJRDN, with Gold-certified hits “U Can Have It All” and “Like Magic” reaching #1 on the Much and MuchMore Music video charts.

Nova Scotia born and raised, JRDN was at the forefront of Canada’s R&B scene and recognized with awards and nominations from SOCAN and the Junos for his efforts.

Now, in 2026, JRDN is entering a new chapter. With an eye towards evolution and authenticity, JRDN is commanding the stage alongside Classified, as frontman of new Halifax-based soul collective Lane Hall, and as a revered solo artist while staying rooted in the heartfelt storytelling that first captured audiences across Canada.

Nicole Ariana is a Billboard #1, Gold-certified songwriter and award-winning artist originally from Sydney, Cape Breton, whose debut album CRYBABY earned an ECMA and four Music Nova Scotia Awards. Blending alt-R&B and neo-soul-inspired pop, her music is cinematic, moody, and confessional.

With performances in Estonia, Wales, London, and Sweden, and songwriting credits from Los Angeles to Paris, she has built an international presence rooted in honest storytelling and emotive vocals.

Her 2025 single “Return to Sender,” featured on CBC’s Q with Tom Power, introduced a more stripped-back, soulful direction, launching a new body of work unfolding throughout 2026.

A beacon for Jamaican music and culture in Atlantic Canada, Jah’Mila’s music embodies the spirit of traditional Jamaican roots reggae music. From touring with renowned reggae acts like The Wailers, Black Uhuru, and the Groundation to collaborating with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Symphony Nova Scotia, Jah’Mila’s skill as an artist and cultural reggae ambassador make her one of the East Coast’s most prominent voices.

With authentic appreciation for both her roots and her present home, as well as an unwavering resolve to stand up for what she believes in, Jah’Mila brings a performance that is as inspiring as it is remarkable.

Founded in 2011 by powerhouse vocalist (Downbeat Magazine) and Jewish-Indigenous artist Tamar Ilana, Ventanas is a cross-cultural flamenco and world music group that blends incredible musicianship, infectious melodies, and unmatched energy. Pulling from Sephardic, Balkan, Greek, Turkish, Jazz, Pop, Classical, and Mediterranean folk traditions, Tamar Ilana and Ventanas create soundscapes that take you on a journey through place and time while enriching you with language and dance.

With tours on three continents, being nominated for four Canadian Folk Music Awards, and fresh off the release of their 2024 album AZADI under their belts, Tamar Ilana and Ventanas are the perfect soundtrack for your hot summer nights.

Following 15 years as the frontman of award-winning indie rock outfit Hey Rosetta!, Tim Baker has transitioned well to life as one of Canada’s most profound songwriters and producers. Over three LPs, three EPs, and his 2024 holiday album Full Rainbow of Light, Tim’s remarkable output has cemented him as one of Canada’s leading troubadours.

With an uncanny ability to create moments and build emotion into song, Tim Baker “captures complex feeling in a big hearted way…I think he’s such a special songwriter and performer.” (NPR’s World Cafe)

From the esteemed Massey Hall to sweaty festivals across Canada, packed audiences are in agreement that Tim’s performances are a shared experience that borders on ritual and connects like few others.

A melodic songwriter in the tradition of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, Jeremy Fisher has been writing tunes that stay with you for over 25 years. From an early tour across Canada by bicycle to hitting the road alongside Great Big Sea, The Proclaimers, and Xavier Rudd, Jeremy’s road-tested performances and unmistakable energy have made him one of Canada’s favourite live shows.

A 4-time Juno Award nominee, Jeremy Fisher has recorded music with the likes of Hawksley Workman, Serena Ryder, and Jakalope, while his music has appeared in film, commercials, and as the theme for Global TV’s “Family Law.” Jeremy is also creator, songwriter, and voice actor in Jeremy and Jazzy, an animated children’s series airing on CBC in Canada and around the world, captivating the minds of the next generation of music lovers.

Dave Sampson writes with a steady hand and an unmistakable voice. Raised on Cape Breton Island, the songwriter has built a body of work rooted in folk tradition, yet restless enough to drift into indie rock, country, and late-night confessionals. His songs carry the grit of coastal bars and the experience of a songwriter who understands when to leave space.

A seasoned performer, Sampson has toured extensively across Canada, sharing stages with kindred artists and winning over audiences one song at a time. His live shows feel less like performances and more like unguarded, intimate, and story-grounded conversations. Performing solo or backed by his fiery band, he’s a crowd favourite who lights up the stage.

In an era obsessed with noise, Dave Sampson chooses resonance, writing songs that linger long after the needle lifts.

Elyse Aeryn makes music for the wild hearts—those who crave connection, catharsis, and a little rebellion. Whether you discovered her on a TikTok scroll or her voice found you through the radio airwaves, know this: there’s a depth behind that first impression—a catalog full of hard-won truths, fearless energy, and moments that will make you feel seen.

She’s not just building momentum—she commands it. Elyse was crowned Music Nova Scotia’s Entertainer of the Year in 2024 and her song “Cowboy” spent 15 weeks in the Billboard Canadian Country Top 100, while “Unstoppable,” from her 2026 album Everyone Loves You, was featured by Rogers Sportsnet to soundtrack Canadian tennis sensation Vicky Mboko’s historic National Bank Open victory in 2025.

Known across the Maritimes for her dynamic stage presence and compelling vocal delivery, Elyse has quickly become one of Atlantic Canada’s most promising breakout acts—an artist with the talent, determination, and heart’s fire to go the distance.