It was disappointing to witness the backlash over the Calgary Folk Music Festival’s decision to program Atlanta rapper Killer Mike as a replacement for 1980s New Wave act The Psychedelic Furs, who cancelled due to illness. Granted, there may be little aesthetic overlap between Killer Mike and the Furs, but they both fit into the overall programming mantra of exposing audiences to a wide variety of adventurous music.
Those who prefer their folk festivals to be a little more folkie should probably have been paying better attention to the folk fest lineups of the past, well, 30 years. But if that is your preference, this year’s lineup has several acts that fit a more traditional mould: second-generation folkie Catherine MacLellan, Ireland’s Celtic-American act DUG, Prince Edward Island’s The East Pointers, Edmonton’s Joe Nolan, Tulsa’s Ken Pomeroy, Wales folk icon Martyn Joseph and Americana singer-songwriter Mary Gautier are just a few.
But there are plenty of other things going on at the folk festival. Here are some recommendations.
Brazilian artist Bia Ferreira will play the Calgary Folk Music Festival. Photo by Juh Almeida
Around the Globe
Those who listen to her radio shows on CKUA and CJSW know that folk fest artistic director Kerry Clarke is enthusiastic about introducing people to global sounds. This year, that will include a diverse lineup of acts representing various countries, traditions and cultures. Brazil’s Bia Ferreira fuses R&B and funk and sings songs about identity, homophobia and belonging in Portuguese; Madalitso Band are former buskers from Malawi who play traditional music on homemade instruments; the members of Germany’s Mitsune come from Japan, Australia and Greece and perform Japanese folk fusion rooted in Tsugaru shamisen music, which is the name of both the traditional Japanese genre they play and the three-stringed lute they play it on.
San Diego’s The Neighborhood Kids play hip-hop inspired by their Mexican heritage. They will play the Calgary Folk Music Festival. Submitted photo
Hip-hop
Killer Mike and the Mighty Midnight Revival is not the only hip-hop act on the bill this year. The Neighborhood Kids hail from San Diego, but their politically charged hip-hop is also influenced by their Mexican heritage. Calgary’s Polo Sho is both a top performer and a community builder in the scene.
Corb Lund is among the headliners at the Calgary Folk Music Festival. Photo by Noah Fallis
Headliners
If you park yourself at the main stage the entire weekend, you’ll miss out on adventurous music in other parts of the park. However, the headliners this year also offer a snapshot of versatility. Thursday’s lineup includes Americana genre-hopper Valerie June and Icelandic folk-rockers Of Monsters and Men; Friday night will offer Nova Scotia pop singer-songwriter Goldie Boutlier, who was a hit at this year’s Block Heater in February; and L.A. versatile virtuoso bassist Thundercat, who has collaborated with everyone from Suicidal Tendencies to Flying Lotus; Saturday will feature L.A.’s alt-Americana singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham and country icon Marty Stuart will bring his Fabulous Superlatives; Sunday’s mainstage lineup will be headlined by Killer Mike and the Mighty Midnight Revival and Alberta singer-songwriter Corb Lund.
Calgary artist Hermitess is playing the Calgary Folk Music Festival. Photo by Heather Saitz
Locals
Every year, the festival offers choice spots to local artists. This year, that includes Raleigh, Hermitess, Mariel Buckley (fine, she lives in Edmonton now, but we still consider her a Calgarian), Fish in a Birdcage, Kate Stevens and the Tribe Artist Society.
The Calgary Folk Music Festival runs from Thursday to Sunday at Prince’s Island Park.