Festivals
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.
Festivals
Phillips Backyard Music Festival – Day 1 Recap & Photos
The first day of Phillips Backyard Music Festival wasted no time getting into the music. Gates opened in the late afternoon, and fans steadily filled the grounds as the opening artists took the stage. With two stages running throughout the evening, there was always something happening, whether festivalgoers were catching a familiar act on the Main Stage or discovering someone new on the Music BC Stage.
Dacey opened the Main Stage and immediately set a positive tone for the weekend. There is always a challenge in being the first performer of a festival, but the crowd responded well as people filtered in with drinks in hand and found spots on the lawn. Over on the Music BC Stage, Bukola delivered an engaging set that showed exactly why she continues to build a strong following in British Columbia. Her soulful vocals stood out from the start and held the audience’s attention throughout her performance.
As the evening moved along, Nicky MacKenzie and Mikey Jose kept the energy moving before Cartel Madras took over the Main Stage. The Calgary duo brought one of the day’s most intense performances. Their stage presence demanded attention, and the audience responded with loud cheers throughout the set. They never let the pace slow down, making them one of the clear highlights of the afternoon.
Blush followed on the Music BC Stage with a polished indie rock performance before Duckwrth stepped onto the Main Stage as the sun began to set. His mix of hip-hop, funk, and rock translated perfectly to the outdoor setting. He spent much of the set moving across the stage, interacting with the crowd and feeding off their enthusiasm. By this point, the festival grounds were packed, and it was clear the audience was ready for the night’s headliner.
Chance the Rapper closed out opening day with a confident performance as one of hip-hop’s strongest live performers. His set balanced newer material with fan favourites, giving longtime listeners plenty of moments to sing along. He controlled the stage from beginning to end without relying on flashy production to keep the audience engaged. Instead, his personality and connection with the crowd carried the show.
The first day established exactly what Phillips Backyard does well. The schedule moved smoothly between established artists and emerging talent, giving every performer a chance to shine. Fans moved freely between both stages, sampled local food and Phillips Brewing beer, and settled into an atmosphere that felt relaxed without losing the excitement that comes with live music. It was a strong opening to the weekend and set high expectations for the two days that followed.
Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
CHANCE THE RAPPER
DUCKWORTH
BLUSH
CARTEL MADRAS
MIKEY JOSE
NICKY MACKENZIE
BUKOLA
DACEY
FESTIVAL
All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell
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: