‘Wailin’ Walker headlines South Surrey’s Salmon Sessions
Published 12:00 pm Saturday, May 9, 2026
The Salmon Sessions festival will return to South Surrey this August with a showcase emphasizing blues-rock favourites and standout local talents.
The performer lineup will include Vancouver and White Rock legend Al ‘Wailin” Walker and his band; and popular Peninsula-based blues attraction the James Shepherd Band.
Also featured will be the rising talents of Three Nines Fine, Generous Thieves, Westwood Theory and Rowan (formerly known as Sophia Bouvier).
The festival returns Saturday, Aug. 22, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. to the grounds of Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club, 1284 184 St.
Festival proceeds once again support the Little Campbell Hatchery, a completely volunteer-run community asset that helps sustain salmon populations and protect the region’s natural ecosystems.
“Salmon Sessions is about celebrating the incredible talent in our own backyard while supporting something bigger,” said Little Campbell Hatchery Society president Diana Barkley.
“It’s a day where music, community, and conservation come together in a meaningful way.”
Festival director Dione Costanzo said that the carefully curated lineup of artists includes many with strong ties to the local music scene.
“Blending seasoned blues-rock performers with a new generation of emerging artists, this year’s festival promises an authentic, feel-good day of live music and community connection,” she said.
Topping the bill is White Rock resident Walker, a blues mainstay whose career spans more than five decades.
“Known for his signature guitar style and deep roots in rhythm and blues, he brings a performance shaped by experience, passion, and a lifelong connection to the genre,” Costanzo said.
His all-star band includes keyboardist Dave Webb, saxophonist Jerry Cook, drummer Marko Ibarra and bassist Bruce O’Neill.
White Rock-based guitarist Shepherd, backed by bandmates Mike Ellerbeck (bass) and Ian Paxton (drums and vocals), has also built a strong local following blending rock and blues with his expressive playing, Costanzo noted.
Vancouver five-piece rock band Three Nines Fine comes to the festival fresh from a recent victory in a White Rock Battle of the Bands hosted at The Beer Shack; while Generous Thieves is a reggae fusion group with international roots – they built a fanbase in Japan before returning to share their sound with local audiences.
Westwood Theory is a young B.C. band that came together during school jam sessions but has quickly gained broader attention for its original sound and natural chemistry.
Rowan, accompanied by guitarist Jim Black, bass guitarist Aaron Skepast and drummer Rishi Dhillon, is a White Rock multi-instrumentalist who began busking at age eight and now performs original music notable for its blend of vintage and contemporary influences.
Attendees at the family-friendly event can also explore an artisan market, take part in hatchery tours, and enjoy a beverage garden featuring Three Dogs Brewing and Fraser Valley Cider Company, and showcasing local craft producers.
Tickets, including General and VIP options, and free entry for children aged 12 and under, are available from https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/4th-annual-salmon-sessions-music-festival