Tanzanian percussion and indie icons as Vancouver Folk Music Festival unveils 2025 lineup, July 18 to 20

The Zawose Queens, The Milk Carton Kids, and more to hit the Main Stage at ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park

SPONSORED POST BY Vancouver Folk Music Festival

The Zawose Queens.

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has just announced the Main Stage artist lineup for its 2025 edition, which takes place at ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park from July 18 to 20.

Margaret Glaspy, Elisapie, The Zawose Queens, and Haram will kick off the Main Stage offerings on Friday night. Shooglenifty, Ocie Elliott, Bab L’ Bluz, and On the Beach: Neil Young Reimagined will perform on Saturday. And capping off the weekend Sunday night will be Watchhouse, Ruthie Foster, The Milk Carton Kids, and The Heavy Heavy.

In the artist spotlight this year are two talented international artists who are travelling to Vancouver: The Zawose Queens from Tanzania, and The Milk Carton Kids from California.

The Milk Carton Kids.

The Zawose Queens bring a fresh take to traditional music by challenging a long-established form in vital ways. The music of the Wagogo or Gogo people of central Tanzania is percussion-driven with gorgeous vocal polyphonies, featuring instruments like the illimba (thumb piano). Pendo Zawose and her niece Leah Zawose come from a dynasty of Gogo musicians—including Pendo’s father, internationally known musician Hukwe Zawose. Pendo joined her dad’s band when she was 14, but as a woman, she was not permitted to sing lead vocals or play certain instruments. Now with The Zawose Queens, Pendo and Leah are front and centre, showing that women can be lead contributors in Gogo music.

Since Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale formed The Milk Carton Kids in 2011, they have enjoyed a rapid ascension to the top of the indie-folk world. Their 2013 record Ash and Clay received a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album, and they were nominated for Group of the Year in 2014 by the Americana Music Association. Whether singing a hurting ballad about love gone wrong or expressing slow-burning outrage at the inequalities plaguing contemporary society, The Milk Carton Kids never forget their sense of humour.

Early bird single-day tickets are now available, and give guests access to all the concerts and festival activities on either Friday evening, all day Saturday, or all day Sunday.

Buy tickets and learn more about the lineup through the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

Post sponsored by Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

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