8 musicians you need to see at the Drum is Calling Festival

DJ Kookum/The Drum is Calling Festival

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Vancouver’s highly-anticipated The Drum is Calling Festival is here.

Taking place from now until Sunday, July 30 at Larwill Park next to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, the festival will celebrate contemporary music, along with traditional and cutting edge Indigenous arts and culture.

For each day of the festival, there is a different theme of programming so you’ll experience a variation of cultural vibes throughout.

The best part? It’s totally free to attend. Just remember to register online prior to any events that you’re planning to attend at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre and Queen Elizabeth Theatre Lobby.

You’ll get to go along to The Drum is Calling Festival and hear awesome live music performances from some of the best names in Canadian music. Many performances are scheduled for adjacent venues including the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre, Vancouver Public Library and Queen Elizabeth Theatre plazas.

To help you see why you need to hit up this one-of-a-kind event, we’ve compiled a list of some of the music acts you can expect to see during The Drum is Calling Festival.

Buffy Sainte-Marie

Buffy Sainte-Marie/Image: Christie Goodwin

This Golden Globe and Oscar award-winning Cree singer-songwriter has been performing for more than 50 years. Her bold new album Power in the Blood has a contemporary version of ‘It’s My Way’, the title track of her 1964 debut.

Chantal Kreviazuk

Chantal Kreviazuk/The Drum is Calling Festival

JUNO award-winning singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk has collaborated with the likes of Drake and Pink. Her latest album Hard Sail, is a fresh release of jaw-dropping hits that you’ll want to hear at the festival.

Shane Koyczan and The Short Story Long

Shane Koyczan & The Short Story Long/The Drum is Calling Festival

This folk-rock band features members Shane Koyczan, Maiya Robbie, Jordie Robinson, Glenna Garramone, and Jesse Lee who have been wowing audiences since they entered the music scene in 2006.

Midnight Shine

Midnight Shine/The Drum is Calling Festival

Dance away the festival to the sounds of this Northern Ontario group who mix modern rock with classic and roots music.

Crystal Shawanda

Crystal Shawanda/The Drum is Calling Festival

If you want to hear a soulful powerhouse vocalist then you need to hear Crystal Shawanda rock her performance at the festival. She grew up on the Wikwemikong Reserve and later signed a record deal with RCA records.

Tanya Tagaq

Tanya Tagaq/The Drum is Calling Festival

You’re sure to enjoy the overall experience of Tanya Tagaq’s show. As an improvisational performer and experimental recording artist, she even won the 2014 Polaris Music Prize for her Animism album.

Tom Jackson

Tom Jackson/The Drum is Calling Festival

Activist, singer, producer and actor Tom Jackson has been performing on stage for over 40 years. He always entertains concert-goers so you won’t be disappointed when you see him strum on his guitar.

Susan Aglukark

Susan Aglukark/The Drum is Calling Festival

Susan Aglukark is one of Canada’s most unique artists and a leading voice on the music scene. You’ll be amazed when you hear how she mixes the Inuktitut and English languages with contemporary pop music.

Other artists performing at The Drum is Calling Festival include Leela Gilday, Kinnie Starr, Murray Porter, The Jerry Cans, George Leach, Sierra Noble, DJ Kookum, DJ Shub, and Amanda Rheaume, among many others.

For more information and to see a detailed schedule of events, visit The Drum is Calling Festival online.

The Drum is Calling Festival

When:

July 23 – 27 and 30, 1 to 10 pm
July 28 – 29, 1 to 11 pm

Where: Main festival site at Larwill Park, Vancouver Playhouse Theatre, Vancouver Public Library Atrium, Queen Elizabeth Theatre Lobby and QET Plaza.

Price: Free – Register online prior to events taking place at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre and Queen Elizabeth Theatre Lobby

Daily Hive is a proud media sponsor of The Drum is Calling Festival