Katy Kirby

Katy Kirby was the set I was looking forward to the most the entire festival and she more than delivered. I grew up similarly to Kirby and her songs resonated with me. There is something so incredibly special about hearing someone, front row, singing about these complex feelings I had grown up with.

Her set was serene, even inviting those in the crowd to take a nap while she sang them lullabies of her songs from her two albums Cool Dry Place and Blue Raspberry. Personal favourites “Juniper” and “Cool Dry Place” had me, among many others, swaying and singing along, camera in my hand and heart cracked. This aching familiarity threaded through her entire set and with her set offered this quiet solidarity I am glad I got to experience.

Begonia

Folk fest favourite and Winnipeg singer songwriter Begonia opened the ATB Main Stage, stepping in for Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet who were unable to play this year due to an injury. Begonia is no stranger to the festival having graced the main stage in 2022 and Block Heater earlier this year.

Dressed in a beautiful and striking red dress that matched her fiery red hair, she was the sweetest treat of my night. Begonia effortlessly commanded the stage with a vocal range so hauntingly beautiful, shifting to gospel-like melodies to soaring intensity. Between songs like her upcoming single “So High,” set to release on July 30 and “Butterfly,” she engaged with the audience with quick-witted chatter, making the audience feel like old friends catching up. It is clear why she remains a beloved artist of the festival, leaving the crowd eagerly anticipating what’s next or more future shows in Calgary.

LA LOM

The word “mesmerized” does not even begin to describe how I felt during LA LOM (Los Angeles League of Musicians)’s set as the chemistry of the guitar, bass and drum created this dynamic soundscape of Latin and Cumbia-inspired psychedelia that echoed through the island. The mud was not enough to stop people from dancing along the energetic instrumentals. LA LOM’s set was the perfect reminder of the summer despite the rain that has stayed with us throughout the festival as their songs brought out a warmth that radiated from the stage and to the crowd. Their infectious energy truly proved that folkers will turn anything to a dance floor.

Ocie Elliot

As John Middleton and Sierra Lundy exchanged intimate glances over each other, the feeling I felt could only be described as that when you find the missing piece of your puzzle. Their seamless connection translated into every note and ethereal harmony, making it feel as if the audience were characters in a movie, with the duo providing the perfect score to the unfolding scenes around us.

Lundy recalled, as she chuckled, that she heard Gillian Welch and David Rawlings at the 2012 Calgary Folk Music Festival and felt inspired which made the cover of “Look at Miss Ohio” especially meaningful allowing the audience a glimpse into how Ocie Elliot came to be. In that moment, underneath the glow of purple lights of the ATB Main Stage, it was clear that they weren’t just performing, they were sharing a love story, one note at a time.

CAKE

A decade and a half later, CAKE returned to Calgary to play as the headliners of the 46th Folk Music Festival. For over 30 years, CAKE has revolutionized and defied music trends and on Sunday night they graced the ATB Main Stage with some of their biggest hits like “The Distance” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket.” A notable moment was their tribute to the late Ozzy Osborne with their iconic take on “War Pigs.” Crisp blasts of trumpet, echoes from the crowd of catchy hooks and the monotony of McCrea’s unmistakable vocals rang louder than the pouring rain hitting the ground of Prince’s Island Park. Looking around, I’ve never seen a crowd as happy to be soaked in the rain as those last night, as if the rain was simply part of the show production. As the band closed out the night with a cover of “I Will Survive,” spirits were as high as ever and most indeed not go and go and walk(ed) out the door.