Roots North Music Festival, one of central Ontario’s most anticipated signs of spring, proudly kicks off the music festival lineup every April, and the festival’s 2024 anniversary lineup is promising an even bigger and better festival than ever before.
Each year, Roots brings an impressively large variety of well-known Canadian musicians to perform across both paid and free stages in Downtown Orillia and beyond. The festival’s roots remain in celebrating homegrown talents, not only of local musicians, but also of local artisans and small business owners in the area. Main stage performances take place at the historic St. Paul’s Centre, while dozens of paid and free performances pop-up across local shops, restaurants, and businesses throughout the region.
This, along with the sheer volume of music genres explored throughout the festival, is what makes Roots North an exciting experience, year after year.
Roots North takes place from April 18 to 21, with main stage performances booked for Friday and Saturday evenings. The 2024 headliners include an impressive mix of Canadian artists, with JUNO and Canadian Radio Music Award-nominated Bleeker and trail-blazing country-rock group The Redhill Valleys taking the stage on Friday evening, while acclaimed singer-songwriter Spencer Burton, Canada’s breakout alt-diva Begonia, and soulful blues, roots, and folk artist Julian Taylor take the stage on Saturday. Weekend passes can be purchased online for just $65 and grant you access to each headliner show. An onsite bar, hosting products from Quayle’s Brewery along with goodies from Mariposa Market, will also be available.
Roots music can refer to several styles or genres in music, but to us, it’s music that is firmly rooted in a place of honest expression and emotion. – RootsNorthMusic.ca.
Roots North is an annual sell-out, but don’t worry if you miss out on getting your main stage pass. The festival encourages wristband swapping between friends and family so fans can attend their preferred shows. And of course, entry to other concert venues throughout the city remains free each year.
What makes this year especially exciting, is the festival’s 10 year anniversary. Since its first inception, Roots North Music Festival has proudly expanded to become an all-day, weekend-long music event that offers affordable live music for everyone to enjoy. “Our committee works hard to bring a variety of fantastic acts to the festival and this year, our 10th anniversary, is no exception,” comments Festival President Derick Lehmann. “We’ve got a stellar lineup on our main stage, taking place once again at St Paul’s Centre in beautiful Downtown Orillia, with Juno and other award-winning and nominated talents that will please your ears and get you dancing once again this year.”
Lehmann also praises the success of the festival’s newest addition in recent years, the Roots North Artisan Market, which is held at St. Pauls Centre during main stage performances, “Our art market is also shaping up to be a very special experience, which remains free to attend. We love supporting our local artisans.” Visitors are welcome to shop and explore the market’s display throughout the festival weekend, wristband or not.
If you’re looking for something to kick-start your spring and summer festival season, Roots North is the experience you’ve been looking for. Visit rootsnorthmusic.ca to reserve your weekend pass, check out the ever-growing artist and venue lineups, and plan your weekend in Orillia and Lake Country.
Looking for a place to stay during the festival? Visit our Orillia accommodations page.
All photography is owned and supplied by Roots North Music Festival and Knight Vision Creative Agency. Photos are not for redistribution.
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