Festivals
Boots And Hearts West Unveils Additional Artists For The Inaugural Festival In Edmonton
Boots and Hearts West announces an exciting new wave of artists set to perform across two stages on August 28 and 29 at Fan Park at @ ICE District, outside Rogers Place in Edmonton. Joining previously announced headliners—Platinum-selling hitmaker Russell Dickerson and genre-blending trailblazer Shaboozey, fresh off his GRAMMY win—the newly revealed lineup features a dynamic mix of chart-toppers, breakout talent, and fan favourites. This latest announcement builds momentum for what is shaping up to be a must-attend weekend for country and crossover music fans across Western Canada.
Added to Friday’s (8/28) line-up is Gold-certified selling artist and rising star Max McNown, known for his heartfelt songwriting and rapidly growing fanbase, alongside three of Canada’s most exciting voices, JUNO award-nominated artist Tyler Joe Miller, Alberta favourite Kalsey Kulyk and emerging artist Dawson Gray.
Saturday (8/29) will feature critically acclaimed GRAMMY, ACM, and CMA-nominated neotraditional country trio Midland, breakthrough duo Thelma & James – marking their first Alberta homecoming performance – breakout artist Zach McPhee, and newcomer Brock Phillips. Additional artists will be announced at a later date.
Festival lineup by day below.
Friday, August 28
Russell Dickerson
Max McNown
Tyler Joe Miller
Kalsey Kulyk
Dawson Gray
Saturday, August 29
Shaboozey
Midland
Thelma & James
Zach McPhee
Brock Phillips
“Seeing Boots and Hearts West continue to take shape with our partners at OEGSE is incredibly exciting. This lineup builds on the energy we’re bringing to Edmonton and reflects our commitment to a thoughtfully curated festival experience. From the artists to the setting at ICE District, we can’t wait to see BootsLife come alive in the West and create two unforgettable days of live music this summer,” shares Eva Dunford, Co-Founder of Republic Live.
Boots and Hearts West will bring the spirit, energy and community of the multi-award-winning festival to Edmonton for the first time this year. For over a decade, Boots and Hearts Music Festival and Republic Live have built a loyal fan base drawn to its signature blend of music, community and unforgettable experiences. An eight-time Canadian Country Music Association Award winner for Country Festival of the Year and recognized by the Academy of Country Music for Festival of the Year, the festival continues to grow by delivering world-class country events directly to country fans across the nation. Boots and Hearts West builds on that legacy, expanding the festival’s footprint into Western Canada and offering fans new ways to experience the festival they love.
Tickets are available for sale exclusively at www.bootsandheartswest.com. Fans can also take advantage of flexible payment options through PayPal or Klarna. Additional festival details will be shared in the coming months.
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Dallas Smith
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at PNE kept the excitement rolling on July 11, as football and live music once again proved to be a winning combination in Vancouver. With two FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on the schedule, thousands of fans packed the festival throughout the day before sticking around for another evening of Canadian music.
Earlier in the afternoon, England secured its place in the semi-finals with a victory over Norway, setting the stage for an even bigger showdown later in the day. That match delivered plenty of drama, as Argentina defeated Switzerland to book a semi-final meeting with England. The final whistle sparked loud celebrations around the festival grounds, with Argentine supporters waving flags, chanting, and soaking in the moment before the evening concerts began.
As the football excitement settled, attention shifted to the Amphitheatre Stage, where Dallas Smith closed out the day’s musical lineup. One of Canada’s biggest country stars, Smith had no trouble keeping the energy high after an emotional afternoon of football. Fans packed tightly around the stage, singing along from the opening song and matching his enthusiasm throughout the set. Smith’s mix of country hits and rock-influenced sound made for a perfect festival performance.
The day also featured performances from DJ Sherry Freeze, The Matinee, The Heels, and Blue Moon Marquee, giving visitors plenty to enjoy between the two quarterfinal matches.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
DALLAS SMITH
ARGENTINA FANS
All Photo Credit:
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Walk Off The Earth, Fionn, Felix Cartal, and France Fans
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE kept the World Cup excitement rolling on Saturday, July 4, as fans gathered for another full day of football, live music, and celebrations. With two Round of 16 matches on the giant screens and a lineup of Canadian artists filling the Amphitheatre Stage, the atmosphere remained lively from morning through the evening.
The day had already delivered plenty of drama before the concerts began. Morocco had stunned host nation Canada earlier in the day to book a place in the quarter-finals, ending Canada’s historic World Cup run after its first-ever appearance in the Round of 16. A few hours later, France defeated Paraguay to secure the final quarter-final spot, setting up a meeting with Morocco in one of the tournament’s most intriguing matchups. As the final whistle blew, fans quickly shifted their attention from the football to the music just a few steps away.
Vancouver-based band Fionn, consisting of twins Alanna and Brianne Finn-Morris, was first on stage, offering an engaging performance that fit the late afternoon perfectly. Their warm vocals and heartfelt indie-pop songs gave the crowd a chance to catch their breath after another emotional day of World Cup action. Many fans who had spent hours watching the matches stayed put, creating an attentive audience that truly enjoyed the show.
Right after, Walk Off The Earth took over and instantly changed the pace. The Ontario group has built its reputation on creative arrangements and infectious energy, and they delivered exactly that. Their performance blended pop, rock, folk, and plenty of crowd interaction, turning the Amphitheatre into a giant singalong. The band’s playful chemistry and multi-instrumental approach kept fans engaged from start to finish, with many dancing along and singing every word.
At the Park Stage, Vancouver-born DJ and producer Felix Cartal took over. A familiar face on festival lineups across the country, Cartal delivered a polished electronic set that kept fans dancing until the festival closed. His mix of melodic house, upbeat remixes, and crowd-pleasing drops provided the perfect soundtrack to cap off a day that had already been packed with football drama and live music.
The FIFA Fan Festival has consistently shown that it offers far more than football. Saturday’s schedule paired knockout-stage drama with live performances that gave supporters another reason to stay long after the matches had ended. Even with Canada’s elimination still fresh in many minds, the festival remained a welcoming place to celebrate the global game, discover Canadian talent, and enjoy a summer evening surrounded by thousands of fellow fans. With the quarter-finals now set, anticipation continued to build for another unforgettable week at Vancouver’s Fan Festival.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
WALK OFF THE EARTH
FIONN
FELIX CARTAL
FRANCE FANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer