Republic Live Announces The Finalists For The 2025 Boots And Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase

Republic Live, the producers of the internationally acclaimed and multi-award-winning Boots and Hearts Music Festival, are thrilled to announce the eight finalists for the 2025 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase (EAS), set to take place at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds. The finalists will perform on Thursday, August 7th to open the Kick-Off party featuring Tyler Joe Miller and headliner Justin Moore.

This moment marks a significant milestone for these rising stars. Along with the chance to perform on the festival’s main stage, the winner of the 2025 EAS will receive a $10,000 cash prize, a single release with Universal Music Canada, artist development sessions with RLive Management, a Gibson J-45 Special guitar, and a VIP tour of the Gibson Garage in Nashville.

All remaining finalists will be awarded a complimentary one-year STRUT VIP membership—an exclusive platform designed to empower emerging artists with vital tools, industry access, and personalized support to accelerate their careers.

The 2025 Emerging Artist Showcase Finalists are:

Amanda Couture – Medicine Hat, AB
Annika Catharina – Deroche, BC
Jade Hilton – Toronto, ON
Lake Porter – Kingston, ON
Lowell Lawson – Toronto, ON
School House – Ottawa, ON
Sean Michael Ryan – Riverview, NB
Warren Hargraves – Komoka, ON

Republic Live is also thrilled to announce that Sarah Vanderzon, winner of the 2024 EAS, has joined the roster of RLive Management. Raised just outside of Montreal, Vanderzon charmed audiences with her relatable energy and storytelling. Following the success of her 2023 independent EP, Same Sad Eyes, and her breakout festival performances, Vanderzon returns to perform at Thursday night’s Kick-Off Party (8/7), alongside Tyler Joe Miller and headliner Justin Moore.
“Partnering with the powerhouse team at RLive is truly a privilege. I have deep admiration for their work ethic and their unwavering commitment to growing artists’ careers,” shares Vanderzon. “The journey through the music industry is rarely easy, but with the support of my newfound collaborators, the road ahead feels a lot less intimidating, and I can’t wait to bring my vision to life.”

“This is an exciting day for our entire team. To officially welcome the 2024 winner Sarah Vanderzon to the RLive Management roster, while announcing this year’s Emerging Artist Showcase finalists, is a true testament to our dedication to building, supporting, and developing the best of Canada’s rising stars,” says Kate Howse, Artist Manager at RLive. “With an overwhelming number of entries this year, our finalists represent the best of the best from across the country, and we can’t wait to see them perform at Boots and Hearts this August.”

Visit www.bootsandhearts.com for more information about artists, tickets, RV and tent camping, and parking.