A perfect start, with perfect weather last night, Day 2 of CityFolk looks to be just as inviting. While Wednesday’s lineup featured a few TikTok stars, tonight’s main stage is dedicated to a trio of artists that predate Facebook.
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025
TD Stage:
6:00 pm – Junkhouse
7:15 pm – Indigo Girls
9:00 pm – Melissa Etheridge
Tonight’s main stage turns back the clock 30 years, showcasing three artists that each left an indelible mark on rock’s evolution that can still be seen today.
First up is Hamilton’s Junkhouse. Encapsulated entirely in the ’90s, they immediately permeated radio and MuchMusic from the start, with debut single “Out of My Head” the first of five singles to get consistent play in the heart of the golden age of Canadian alt-rock. Their sound fits perfectly in the mix of Tea Party, Moist, Headstones, and all their other contemporaries. However, after releasing their third album Fuzz, which featured their tenth single (and most streamed to date) “Shine,” the band split up with members taking on new projects. Lead singer Tom Wilson kept performing either solo, or in bands like Blackie and the Rodeo Kings or Lee Harvey Osmond, but the group has since only reunited to play the occasional show. Tonight will be their first in Ottawa in almost 30 years.
Besides that CanCon golden age, the ’90s also had a breakout by women in rock, exemplified by Atlanta’s Indigo Girls. Alongside 10,000 Maniacs and Cowboy Junkies, the duo’s female vocals and harmonies over folk-infused pop rock laid the foundation for the Lilith Fair generation of women that exploded soon after. The early success throughout the late ’80s and ’90s waned a bit in the new millennium, but their albums (15 at last count) have continued to chart consistently, including their latest release, 2020’s Look Long. Fans will finally get to hear some of their new material released since their last show in Ottawa in 2013, and of course everyone will be singing along to every word of “Closer to Fine”.
While the Indigo Girls put women front and centre in folk, Melissa Etheridge was doing the same in the rock sphere. Bursting through the gates in 1988 with her debut album, her gritty blend of roots- and blues-infused rock immediately connected with fans, as evidenced by her first five albums all being certified platinum. And much like the Indigo Girls, she has continued to release albums (16 if you include the Christmas album). If you were lucky enough to catch her set at Bluesfest in 2017, you’ll know she still has the energy, and the vocal prowess and power, despite how demanding her songs can be. All the more remarkable when you consider she’s been performing on average over 100 shows a year since.
FASKEN Stage:
5:30 pm – Alex Nicol
6:30 pm – Amble
7:45 pm – Rum Ragged
While the main stage is dedicated to legendary rockers of various sub-genres, the side stage tonight will take care of putting the ‘Folk’ at the forefront.
First up is local ex-pat Alex Nicol. While he plies his trade out of Nashville now, his Canterbury roots will be on full display as he showcases his subdued singer-songwriter style. With a string of new singles released this year, including a brand new one, “Mountain Song”, out today, an album is surely in the near future. It’s no wonder he was chosen to perform at Half Moon Run’s festival, since his sound fits perfectly alongside theirs, if slightly more mellow.
Next up is Amble, an Irish trio bringing classic folk from the old country. After a few singles and EPs, they finally released their debut album Reverie last May, which rocketed up to the top of the chart in their native Ireland. Its popularity pushed the trio to release a live album recorded in Dublin less than two months later, and somehow, the band already sounds like they’ve been playing together for a decade, with tight instrumental outros like the one to close “Lonely Island”. Don’t miss them on the small stage now, because when they come back, they’ll undoubtedly be on the main stage, considering they just opened for Hozier in Toronto last night.
A perfect pairing with the Irish folk, Newfoundland’s Rum Ragged close out the side stage Thursday. If anyone was wondering who would take the torch from Great Big Sea and bring authentic homegrown Newfoundland folk music back to the mainstream, you’ve found your answer. Harkening back to their earlier albums rooted in traditional, and less pop influenced, Rum Ragged brings the kitchen party to wherever they perform. 2019’s The Thing About Fish earned them their first Juno nomination, and they’ve followed it up with last year’s infectious Gone Jiggin’, that garnered them a Canadian Folk Music Award for the Ensemble of the Year.
The fact festival organizers have added The Thirsty Dog Pub to the grounds this year seems tailor-made for the side stage tonight, though sadly it isn’t right by that stage. Then again, it’s probably for the best for patrons’ livers.
CityFolk takes place on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park Sept. 10 to 14. Keep an eye on apt613.ca for daily coverage and photos!
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