The Mission Folk Music Festival's 2023 lineup of stellar music artists slated to perform at the 36th annual festival, July 21, 22 and 23

The 2023 festival offers a widely diverse roster of talented artists and groups from across Canada, the US, and beyond. Over 20 acts are slated to perform at daytime stages and on the evening main stage in the park, which overlooks the Fraser River just east of Mission. Weekend passes are on sale now at Early Bird prices, with the deadline for purchasing them at this discount rate now extended to May 31.
 
The MFMF’s Artistic Director, Michelle Demers Shaevitz, has put together a weekend of music that includes both familiar names and exciting new discoveries. 
“It’s a thrill for us to return to Fraser River Heritage Park for our 36th Annual festival”, says Demers Shaevitz. “I’m excited to welcome folks back to the park to share some amazing global music with them. This year’s festival features everything from singer-songwriter folk to Celtic, blues, bluegrass and soul to the unique mash-up of traditional folk music and indie pop with Korea’s Dongyang Gozupa. The roster also features the soulful songs of Toronto songstress, Tanika Charles, and, closing main stage Saturday night, an electrifying performance by Haiti’s Wesli. From the wilds of BC’s West Coast (and fresh from a trip to Memphis), Blue Moon Marquee will help kick off the festival Friday night, and a true Canadian treasure, David Francey, returns to our main stage on Sunday. In between, there’s an incredible range of tunes to enjoy. We welcome everyone from our longtime fans to folks who’ll be experiencing Mission for the first time. Come join us. Come Follow Your Folk!”
The full roster of 2023 performers is below.
 
The festival’s Evening Main Stage concert lineup offers a chance to experience many of the festival artists in one sitting – a perfect way to spend a summer’s evening. 
On stage (in order of performance (subject to change)):
Friday, July 21: Welcome - with the Le q’aimel Dancers | Robin Layne and The Rhythm Makers | Skye Consort and Emma Björling | The Oot n’ Oots | Kentucky Eileen | Blue Moon Marquee
Saturday, July 22: Dongyang Gozupa | Cedric Watson & Jourdan Thibodeaux | Leonard Sumner
Tanika Charles | Wesli
Sunday, July 23: Festival Choir | Abigail Lapell | Twin Flames | David Francey & Terra Spencer | OKAN
 
Everything kicks off Friday night, July 21 with the main stage concert lineup. Saturday and Sunday (July 22 and 23) sees music workshops, concerts and collaborations on three daytime stages, with a showcase of artists on the evening main stage both days.  Every year is exciting, and this year’s lineup offers festival-goers a chance to really connect with the music through workshops, the Festival Choir, and weekend jams. The festival also offers interactive programming for Wee Folks at day stages.
 
In addition to the great tunes in a beautiful environment, there are both Foodand Artisan Market vendors and a licensed, shaded Bistro on site. Attendees can also choose to camp in the park for an additional fee. Over 300 enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers ensure the festival runs smoothly.  
 
The Mission Folk Music Festival is renowned for not only the great music on its stages, but for the warmth of welcome offered to artists and festival-goers alike. A whole-of-community effort, the festival is affordable, offers shaded day stages and opens its arms to create a weekend oasis of friendly, easygoing enjoyment and musical appreciation. The harmony at Mission Folk is not limited to the stage.
 
MISSION FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023 ARTIST LINEUP
Patrick Anthony - a storytelling singer/songwriter with a multitude of influences and a family connection to the traditions of the Leq'a:mel First Nations
Blue Moon Marquee – this band writes and performs original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves
Alysha Brilla – a composer, audio engineer, artist and change-maker who weaves together global roots sounds into healing music
Tanika Charles – a soul music powerhouse 
Dongyang Gozupa – this unique progressive rock band has deep roots in Korean traditional music 
David Francey - one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters and storytellers
Kentucky Eileen - meaningful tunes - hand-written and packaged just how you like ‘em.
Tennyson King - a nomadic indie folk musician from Hong Kong and Canada
Abigail Lapell - call her music ‘prairie noir’ or ‘Canadiana desert rock’ – they’re just gorgeous modern folk songs
Robyn Layne and The Rhythm Makers - blurring the lines between jazz and folk and carving new territory for the marimba 
Graham Lindsey - inventive traditional Celtic tunes on mandolin, tenor banjo, guitar and more 
OKAN - fusing Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk and global rhythms 
The Oot n’ Oots - a family that makes wildly imaginative music, brimming with humour and inspiration, for other families 
Alex Rake and The Leaves - Alex is a poet and songwriter born and raised in Mission, BC. The Leaves are a ragtag band of experimental folk musicians, each harbouring a dark secret
Skye Consort & Emma Björling – a trans-Atlantic mix of traditional music from Québec, Sweden, Norway, with a dose of the Celtic thrown in
Terra Spencer - onstage wit, a butterscotch voice, deft fingerstyle guitar, gospel piano, and ‘70s wood-paneled warmth
Strangely – known for his musical antics and circus shenanigans, this multi-faceted performer always sparkles and surprises.
Leonard Sumner – an Anishinaabe singer and songwriter whose music blends country, folk and hip-hop
Strong Bow & Wry - two friendly veteran musicians, Tony Ivan O’Hara and Jennie Bice, can turn their hand to almost any music genre with ease – often inviting you to join in!
Twin Flames - this duo takes you on a musical journey across Canada and the Arctic, with songs in English, French and Inuktitut 
Jesse Waldman - a West Coast gem who plays a unique blend of blues and folk
Cedric Watson & Jourdan Thibodeaux – authentic Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco music - as good as it gets
Wesli – this Haitian Canadian singer-songwriter is one of Haiti’s most inspiring and celebrated musical ambassadors, blending traditional Haitian rhythms and lyrics with a wide range of styles.
 
Purchase tickets at: http://www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca/

Tickets are available at Adult, Senior, Student and Youth price levels.
Children 12 and under are free.

Early Bird Weekend Pass ticket pricing is extended until midnight, May 31 ($45-$110 plus tax).
Prices move to Tier 2 for weekend passes on June 1 ($50-$135 plus tax).

Camping charges are additional.

Tier 2 Advance ticket sales go from May 15th through to July 20th, and include one day passes & evening passes at all ticket levels. Prices are higher at the gate.
 
*The Mission Folk Music Festival is situated within the unceded traditional territory of the Kwantlen, Matsqui, and Leq’ a: mel First Nations, among the Stó: lō peoples. Leq’ a: mel, meaning ‘the level place where people meet’, is the origin place of the Halq’ emeylem language. We express our gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory and producing our festival here.