A second wave + individual tickets are officially here!

Big news! Our second wave of artists is here, and individual tickets to Up Here 10 shows are officially available as of today—Wednesday, July 3, at noon!

We’re rolling out a bunch of new artists. Just when you think you’re done dancing, you’ll find something new to keep you grooving.

First up, no, that’s not the northern lights that keep popping up this summer, it's The Mystery Lights, all the way from California via Brooklyn with their spacy psychedelia that feels straight outta the ’60s. We’ve been trying to get them up here for years and we’re really excited to have them kick off our first late-night show of the the festival at the Townehouse.

Then there’s Myriam Gendron bringing her syncretic approach (we had to look it up: bringing together different concepts to create something new) from Montreal, promising to enchant with her blend of music and poetry that puts a fresh perspective on traditional folk. We had a mega coup de coeur for this spellbinding performer who will be warming the stage up for Beverly Glenn-Copeland.

Population II is a band dedicated to its disengagement, constantly working on refining their imposing, yet unpretentious sound. The trio from Québec are masters at both improvised madness and sophisticated composition, delivering heavy psychedelic rock infused with feverish funk rhythms, a hint of jazz philosophy, a burst of energy reminiscent of punk's early days, and a love of minor scales that harkens back to the roots of heavy metal.

Tafari Anthony will pop up from Toronto with his powerfully expansive range, dynamic vocal texture, and commitment to putting queer love and relationships at the forefront of his songs. (Tafari studied design at Cambrian College so he’s no stranger to Sudbury!) Also from Toronto, Bad Waitress will have you revelling in their antsy art punk and fits of fury and ego—they play like they’re casting a spell, so wear the proper auditory and spiritual protection. And because we can’t get enough of our Toronto pals, Sydanie will show you what it means to reframe hip-hop with a diverse array of texturized, unique, synth-driven sounds.

We love our locals, and we’re pretty stoked about the local buds we’ve confirmed for this year. Casper Skulls is going to hit us hard with some nostalgia with their studied, supercharged indie to open for their pals PUP—once playing out of Toronto, we’re proud to say at least half of them live back here at home now. For post-punk lovers, Paint By Numbers will satisfy a serious craving with their brooding, erratic noise that fosters an anxious energy that’s bizarrely irresistible. Then we have ROCKPYLE, who Canadian icon and Trailer Park Boys alumni J-Roc described as “up in this ma”—you’ll see what he means when you hear their hardcore that blends metallic riffs, hip-hop influences, and local flare. Would you like fries with that? Only if they’re from Deluxe.

We’ve got more visual stuff for you, too. That’s right, we’ve got our electrifying Power Up project returning for another year—a partnership with Greater Sudbury Utilities where emerging local artists take over a local hydro box.

First up is Becky Carveth, a proud queer of the north and a semi-recent Sudbury transplant—a multi-disciplinary creative, and enthusiastic human, she wears many hats and values the silly, quirky and real. Chloé Thériault is a francophone artist whose work primarily revolves around theatre and writing, and who found refuge in a 64-pack of Crayola crayons after a head injury in high school. Taylor Ray Luecke is a baby muralist navigating big feels on unusual canvases. She is a visual artist and adventure seeker with a love for illustration, graphic design, and painting unexpected things (like hydro boxes). Evan Ross Perusini  is a street artist and illustrator best known for his bold lines and bright colours; he credits much of his inspiration to the graffiti and pop art of the late ’90s and early 2000s. Arlo is a queer, neurodivergent artist who works with a variety of media, favouring acrylics or markers, to convey their vision. Rory Perras creates artworks depicting strong emotions from current experiences and memories, representing the complexities of overwhelming feelings and exploring identity through depictions of visceral themes. 

There’ll be even more announcements in the coming days and weeks, so keep a close eye on our blog and social media to get the most up-to-date details on Up Here 10!