Weekend Passes On Sale Now
Your Weekend Pass grants you guaranteed admission to Main Stage performances at St. Paul's Centre, April 17 & 18.
Songwriter’s Circle at Creative Nomad Studios on Sun April 19, 3-5pm. RSVP to info@rootsnorthmusic.ca
Tickets available online or in person at Pocket Skate & Vintage. Buy in advance or at the door
2026 Main Stage Performers
Doug Paisley - Friday April 17th
Doghouse Orchestra - Friday April 17th
Doghouse Orchestra - Friday April 17th
Since the release of his self-titled debut fifteen years ago, Doug Paisley has earned accolades for unflinchingly self-reflective songs delivered with simplicity and beauty. Though Paisley has always collaborated with topnotch Canadian musicians including luminaries like Garth Hudson, Leslie Feist, and Mary Margaret O’Hara, his records have drawn poignancy also from moments where the listener hears Paisley as he most often hears himself: unadorned and alone with his guitar. The critical response to Paisley’s sophomore release, Constant Companion, underlined this quality. MOJO, naming the album one of the top ten of 2010, found in its “rare kind of purity” evidence that “an anti-star is born”. While Rolling Stone deemed it to be a “nearly perfect singer-songwriter record”, UNCUT described it as “sure-footed and ageless…uncluttered, sad and unerringly lovely.” The “quiet and contemplative” nature of Paisley’s album Starter Home, continued this trend, earning it a place in the New Yorker’s top ten albums of the year.
Doghouse Orchestra - Friday April 17th
Doghouse Orchestra - Friday April 17th
Doghouse Orchestra - Friday April 17th
Doghouse Orchestra is an eclectic Toronto-based ensemble that masterfully blends elements of gospel, jazz, funk, and country into a vibrant, genre-defying sound. The band was born amongst the thriving music community on Queen Street West, where you can find them Sunday nights at The Cameron House. Their dynamic performances offer an immersive experience through improvisation and crowd participation, creating a communal atmosphere that celebrates the joy of live music. Led by bassist Matt Coldwell, the group stretches creative boundaries, offering a sound that is both timeless and irresistibly modern.
Doghouse Orchestra includes eight talented musicians, each bringing a wealth of experience and a unique musical voice. The ensemble has a proven track record, having performed at major festivals like Mariposa, Ness Creek, North Country Fair, and South Country Fair. Their Sunday night residency at The Cameron House has solidified their reputation, drawing in a dedicated following and creating a vibrant community space since 2022.
The group debuted six singles in 2023, including "Psychedelic Sally" and "Always Late". Fall 2024 saw the release of the single, "I was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago" recorded live at The Cameron House. The tracks received positive acclaim, creating anticipation around the upcoming release of their first full-length album.
Meredith Moon - Saturday April 18th, Sunday April 19th
Meredith Moon - Saturday April 18th, Sunday April 19th
Meredith Moon - Saturday April 18th, Sunday April 19th
Meredith Moon started writing songs at the age of eight. Growing up immersed in folk music, including the music of her father, Gordon Lightfoot, she became a self-taught guitar player by the age of fourteen. A few years later, she found her sound as a busker on sidewalks from Halifax to Vancouver. She spent years traveling across Canada and the world by road and rail, finding inspiration for her unique style of songs, which are crafted in a true storyteller’s fashion.
Meredith has been described as a ‘gem’ in both the old-time and contemporary folk music scenes for her unusual expression of the genres, combining influences of folk-punk with traditional Appalachian sounds. Besides playing traditional tunes often ‘non-traditionally,’ Meredith presents a powerful voice and a highly contemporary clawhammer banjo style, which has earned her acclaim in the international roots music community. She is a multi-instrumentalist, incorporating fingerstyle/Travis picking guitar, piano, and lap dulcimer, among other instruments, into her performances.
Mary Frances - Saturday April 18th
Meredith Moon - Saturday April 18th, Sunday April 19th
Meredith Moon - Saturday April 18th, Sunday April 19th
Mary Frances, daughter of acclaimed Canadian fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, is hitting the stage with her own project! Fusing her Celtic heritage with sounds from around the world, her energetic musicianship has graced stages from North America all the way Australia. At age 20, she already has over 800 live performances under her belt. Now appearing in Orillia with her trio, Mary Frances brings a performance not to be missed!
Accomodations
The Champlain Waterfront Hotel, an Ascend Hotel Collection
Located in beautiful Downtown Orillia, The Champlain Waterfront Hotel is the closest and most convenient location to stay while music surrounds you during the Roots North Music Festival. Contact the hotel directly at 705-259-5001 or book on their website.
About The Roots North Music Festival
A Festival to Remember
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. It’s music that travels, shares, and connects, while honouring the past and bravely moving forward. It’s our mission to bring together a wide range of artists and people who share this vision for a weekend of great live music.
Our Venues
Historic Downtown Orillia, Ontario, Canada serves as the backdrop for the music festival. Our headline shows will take place at the beautifully restored
St. Paul‘s Centre at 62 Peter Street North.
Artists perform on Friday and Saturday evening in our comfortable soft-seat theatre. Snacks are available for purchase at our on-location Mariposa Market Snack Bar and a selections of adult beverages for our 19+ attendees is available from our friends at the bar operated by Quayle's Brewery.
More Music Throughout The Downtown & Beyond
Music, shopping and entertainment surround you as you explore during the Roots North Music Festival in Orillia.
In addition to our ticketed main event performances, several businesses along Mississaga Street, and beyond, have teamed up to provide FREE live music shows within their shops and restaurants. Be sure to explore and join us.
Our ever expanding list of performance venues have included Alleycats Music & Art, Quayles Brewery, Picnic, Lot 88 Kitchen & Bar, Eclectic Cafe, Rustica Pizza Vino, Kenzington Burger Bar, Mark IV Brothers, Lone Wolf Cafe, Orillia Music Centre, Apple Annie's Cafe & Shop, Knightvision Media Studios, Hog N' Penny, Couchiching Craft Brewing Co., and Brewery Bay Food Co., just to name a few.
Art Market & Artist Merchandise - Free Admission
Before each performance and during intermissions, we encourage our guests to explore the on site art market filled with wonderful local vendors and all of their creative goods. A selection of merchandise from our performing artists is also available in addition to one of a kind Roots North Music Festival logo'd memorabilia, some of which you get the opportunity to design and create on-site as part of our dedication to the arts.
The Roots North Art Market is free admission, 6-10pm on Friday April 17 & Saturday April 18. It is located at our main stage venue - St. Pauls Centre. Come join us for a drink while browsing locally crafted artisan wares.
Volunteers
This is a volunteer-run music festival in the little community of Orillia, ON so our volunteers are crucial during the festival weekend in April. If you or someone you know are interested in getting the experience of working closely behind-the-scenes at the festival, we would love to have you!