5440 are one of the most important popular music groups to emerge from the Canadian cultural landscape. With more than 2 decades of performing and recording behind them, the band has an unbelievable catalogue of hit songs. Lead by chief songwriter Neil Osborne, 5440 have carved out a legacy of gold and platinum albums and a outstanding reputation for their live performances that carries through to this day. From people who have followed the band from their humble beginnings in east Vancouver to new young fans that have discovered the truly original band that is 5440, a 5440 concert is an extraordinary affair that bridges the gaps of generations through a shared love of music.

Guitarist and singer Alpha Yaya Diallo, from Guinea in West Africa, is one of the hottest acts on the current world music scene. Now based in Vancouver, Canada, he's earned a matchless reputation internationally for the excellence of his musicianship and the excitement of his live shows - whether performing solo or with his band Bafing. Diallo is a uniquely multi-talented artist. His dexterous acoustic and electric guitar-playing, with its fluid melodic lines and compelling grooves, places him in the front ranks of African axemen.

Anique Granger was born into one of Saskatchewan's most musical francophone families. Combining her father's love for words with the maternal side's melodies, she has developed into a devoted guitarist with an undeniable passion for songwriting. Now living in Montreal, the gifted self-starter is mapping a musical landscape shaped by the space and color of her Prairie roots. Drawing us into a captivating and sensuous place the strength of her guitar admirably supports the melodious weight of her words.

Bassekou was born in a village called Garana, almost 40 miles from Segu, in the remote countryside on the banks of the Niger River. He was raised in a traditional musical environment, his mother a praise singer and his father and brothers exceptional ngoni players. Bassekou moved to Bamako when he was 19 years old where he met the young Toumani Diabate. By the late 1980s Bassekou was part of Toumani’s trio and they recorded their first albums together, ‘Songhai’ and ‘Djelika’. Bassekou married the singer Ami Sacko (the so-called “Tina Turner of Mali”) and they have been in high demand for the traditional Sunday wedding parties that happen in the streets of Bamako. Bassekou has now he has put together his own band, Ngoni ba (meaning “the big ngoni”), Mali’s first ngoni quartet.

Bitterly Divine is a Vancouver-based, new generation rock band. A thundering bass line and syncopated First Nations drumming define Bitterly Divine's sound. Hard driving with a swaggering sense of fun, their songs also have cross-over power.

Formed in Whistler, British Columbia in 2008, Brother Twang has progressed with an original set of music that cannot be defined into one category or style. From a folk, rock, country straight into hard-hitting rock. " We trust each other to direct the music in any form it takes.

Collectively on the live stage, Cease & Desist have shared the spotlight with the likes of: David Foster, Randy Bachman, The Guess Who, The Late John Candy, Cheap Trick, Colin James, Rare Earth, Burton Cummings, Nigel Olsen, Jeff Healey, Edgar Winter, Patriciaconroy, Blondie With Deborah Harry, The Odds, Streetheart, Loverboy, The Tragically Hip, Canned Heat, Kansas, Mclean & Mclean, Three Dog Night, David Lee Roth, The Beach Boys, Alabama, Michelle Wright and the list goes on and on... Their song list covers a FIFTY-YEAR SPAN of top music hits!

Often described as one of Canada’s best up-and-coming acts, Hey Ocean is a young band with an extraordinary talent for blending various musical styles into a brand of infectious pop that is uniquely their own. Continuously leaving fans in awe, Hey Ocean combines sheer talent, charismatic songs, and an undeniably energetic live show, making them a must-see band.

My Walking Stick is the latest blood and guts, behind your knees, love, life, death, and after life release from the legendary multi Juno Award winning blues and roots artist Jim Byrnes. His evocative, smoky vocals are found in a truth that doesn’t come overnight. As for highlights in his musical career, Jim mentions “Sittin’ down in a room with Muddy Waters, just him and me, and he showed me a couple of licks on his guitar.”

Kostaman has performed solo acts and highly energized acts with his Good Vibrations Band from Whistler, B.C. for the past 4.5 years. His unique music is a creative mix of Rock, Experimental, World-Beat, Blues and Reggae genres. Kostaman was Established in June 2004 and has performed over 900 shows within the last 4 years that have included performances on both local and international stages.

Luke’s song ‘Cleveland ‘was named by Nick Hornby as one of the Top Ten Songs of the Year, The Independent in the UK named the album, Blood’s Too Rich, as one of the Best Albums of 2008, while the Toronto Star named the album as the Number One Musical Moment of the Year. Luke Doucet has moved from East to West, from edge to centre, but his music has always been a constant artistic home. As a landmark singer-songwriter in the Canadian indie landscape, Doucet has made his name as a first-rate guitarist and creative force, with four solo albums to date.

Mimosa is a cocktail with only the finest ingredients: Jazz, Brazilian sambas and French chansons. Stir or shake, sip, and get ready to feel good. If Serge Gainsbourg, Cleo Laine and Jobim all hung out together one night and jammed, they might sound something like what Mimosa has to offer: a journey into a land of gorgeous melodies, groovy rhythms and stellar improvisations.

Papa Josh is a mixture of The Brand New Heavies meets Jaramaqui meets The Roots meets James Brown. If you are a fan of groove, funk, acid jazz, hip-hop, and alternative music, then Papa Josh will simply amaze you. The challenge of making music that is danceable, unique, soulful and totally live is what sets Papa Josh apart from other solo performers. His loop based show features Josh on drums, bass, guitar, percussion and vocals. He performs everything live, recording layer after layer to create his electrifying style that will get you off your feet and shake your booty.

A Montreal based singer-songwriter-and entertainer, Rafael was born in Bani, Dominican Republic. Rafael performs and composes Latin music repertoire of different genres, but he is known in music circles as a composer and interpreter of music from the Dominican Republic - merengue and bachata

Rah Rah loves to build songs and stories. They make music in Queen City basements and have been known to consume excessive amounts of sugar. The six members share a collective mentality, taking turns taking the lead, both in songwriting and while on stage, and constantly switching instruments. The proud prairie rockers sing of the seriousness of art, poetry, love and politics, and contrast it with absurd imagery and a stage full of confetti, bubbles, candy, and six friends loving life and having fun. This along with the melodic male/female vocals and diverse instrumentation (guitars, bass, drums, keys, violin, accordion, ukulele), ensures that a Rah Rah show will not disappoint.

Redeye Empire is a rock-reggae band from Vancouver, British Columbia. Rock, Pop, Reggae and Ska... Redeye Empire blends the best elements of Jack Johnson, 311 and Sublime. Killer musicians with a wicked vibe.

Rich Hope and his Evil Doers are a two-man quartet of trashy boogie blues. He's the hardest working man in the Vancouver music scene and reviewer Flora Freisantone wrote that Rich Hope is "one of the best blues explosions since Howlin' Wolf." His new album, Rich Hope is Gonna Whip It On Ya has made numerous critics' top ten lists for 2009. Rich Hope is an Alberta guy who plays insanely energetic electric blues, while also making the girls cry with acoustic ballads about how really sad he is.

Take a road trip down Route 99 with the Vogler brothers as they spin out original songs from life in the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Their songs take a poignant look at life on the coast and in the Coast Mountains: Coffee Coffee, Beer Beer; Cowgirls at the Rodeo, I ain’t Perfect, and others. The multi-instrumentalists dig out the older folk, country and R&B;, and mix it with newer ska and reggae songs from their later band, the Hounds of Buskerville. As writers, performers, film makers and radio broadcasters, the Vogler’s will entertainingly spin a yarn between songs as they careen down Route 99.

She Stole My Beer was formed back in the late 80's by Chad Chilibeck, David Hughes, Dean Waisman and Tom Taylor - four high school buddies with a shared interest in the classic music of the 70's, from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young to John Prine. Chilibeck and Taylor were also big Grateful Dead fans and somehow managed to corrupt the southern sensibilities of Hughes and Waisman and their own brand of original music was born.

Spirit of the West are a Canadian folk rock band, who were popular on the Canadian folk music scene in the 1980s before evolving a blend of hard rock, Britpop, and Celtic folk influences which made them one of Canada's most successful alternative rock acts in the 1990s. 2009 had the band looking forward to a re-mounting of their live Symphonic show, "Open Heart Symphony", recording sessions towards an album of brand new songs, a live-in-concert DVD, and probably some hip replacement surgery.

Still Smokin’ is a rock-n’-roll quartet that is based in Pemberton and Whistler, British Columbia. Sue Stearns is the lead vocalist and also plays harmonica, and rhythm guitar on the Fender Telecaster. The lead guitar duties fall on Gary (The G-Man) Yoshida who can rip out a mean riff on his Fender Strat Guitar. The rhythm section consists of “Big Daddy“ Don Murray on 5 String Fender bass. On drums “Wild Man” Brad White.

It's been said The Paperboys' music is hard to describe. Truth is, you could add rock, Son Jarocho, and world beat to that list too. Call it 'Guinness with a tequila chaser while listening to an Americana Jukebox'. Or 'a place where Irish, Mexican and Roots music collide.' Of course, this multicultural mix is hardly surprising from a bilingual band, whose founding member is Mexican-Canadian and whose players cover a range of musical backgrounds from Bluegrass to Funk to traditional Scots and Irish music.

"The Respectables most certainly know the ropes when it comes to Rock 'N' Roll! Each show is a guaranteed party where the audience can get a taste of a musical experience worthy to be named amongst the greats in Rock 'N' Roll. They were chosen by The Rolling Stones themselves to be the opening act for the Licks World Tour during their stop in Montreal, the Respectables’ hometown.“

The Sadies are a Canadian indie rock and alternative country band. The Toronto foursome have managed to combine '60s country rock and psychedelia, C&W;, surf, punk and cosmic American music and transform it into their own unique sound. The Sadies most recent collaboration, Country Club sees Canada’s hardest working band team up with John Doe (X, Knitters) for an album of classic country covers with tunes by Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings and late-night ballads by Tammy Wynette and Roger Miller.

The Waking Eyes are Rusty Matyas, Joey Penner, Matt Peters and Steve Senkiw. The group formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 2001 as more of a musical collective and recording project than a band proper. From the beginning they have refused to be one-dimensional and predictable, with the only constant in their sound coming from their distinct songwriting style.

WHOLE LOTTA LED, BC's premiere Led Zeppelin tribute band brings down the house delivering the classic, gutsy hard rockin' blues of Led Zeppelin with the intensity and fearlessness of the band at their early 70's peak.

Thornley's vocals hew towards the hot and large on Tiny Pictures - his pipes are a Chris Cornell-sized arena-ready instrument on the power ballad "Be There For Me", and he achieves new heights of emotional truth on the soaring Chad Kroeger co-write "Your Song". The centrepiece of Tiny Pictures, in terms of its brassy and uncomplicated love of '70s rock, is "Might Be the End", which comes in on a bed of Hammond organ and exits on what Thornley describes as "a long, awesome, lonely cowboy jam".

Often described musically as a "fist on wheels" T.H.A.T.L. are quickly becoming a favorite of critics, fans, and pundits alike. The members of this group have, collectively, worked on pretty much every big stage in Whistler over the past 5 years. The summer of 2008 saw these young lads conquer the Pemberton Music Festival. Next on their list of things to do - 2010 Winter Olympics.

Throughout his 10 year DJ career, Kori K has been fortunate enough to have performed his brand of upbeat, fun music to crowds in over a dozen countries worldwide. His combination of house, breaks and funk has left countless dance floors wanting more. Kori is afraid of cotton balls and he one time fit 54 peanut M&M;'s in his mouth.

J LON has been rocking out the Pemberton Hotel with fellow Whistlerite DJ Ricochet for over 2yrs now. Lon has frequented Soul Kitchen Sundays & Dirty Beats Wednesdays at Tommy Africas, Dirty Thursdays at Maxx Fish and any special event at the GLC. His blend of party rocking House, Breaks & Funk make Lon a good addition to any party! He has traveled throughout BC playing at several friend's weddings and club nights & opened up for such DJs as Stanton Warriors, The Freestylers and Fort Knox Five. Lon enjoys filling the dancefloor and that's exactly what he'll do when he's behind the decks!

It was Tommy Africa's, that gave local legend, djMilton his first opportunity to play records. After work, while other doorman would play pool, he would teach himself to mix records. His determination and passion would pay instant dividends when he was asked to be the opener for dj Czech's,Soul Kitchen (Canada's longest running club night). Milton learned the ropes from local pioneers djs...Czech, Vinyl Ritchie, Mat the Alien, Jay Tripwire and Hebegebe, plus the numerous international djs that played Soul Kitchen every week.

A DJ, a producer, a turntablist, and most importantly a lover of music. Phroh is notorious for his jaw dropping sets at Whistler Full Moon Parties where he scratches over his home made remixes of hiphop and reggae combined with ultra low frequency bass putting every sound system in his path to the ultimate test

K.eeping A.live S.tories for the P.eople. “Our purpose is to inspire and empower aboriginal children and youth by passing on the knowledge of our people through music and storytelling to our 7 Generations.” Kasp's focus has shifted his music to a whole new level and he shares it with youth to motivate them to persevere no matter what happens in life. His songs tell a story of his struggle and success, and he shares the timeline of his life with others to help others have the strength to do the same. Kasp collaborated on songs with legends such as DMC of RUN DMC, Chino XL, Moka Only, & Rochester.

Combine two of Nelson, BC’s most talented and multi-faceted female artists and you get a stunning mixture of MCing, DJing, percussion, live vocals, and deep soul-satisyfing beats. Uniting the elements of old school Hip-Hop, R&B;, Reggae, Dance Hall, Glitch Hop, Electro, and House, Luscious Beats delivers a fierce and sultry fusion of sound. Melissa Meretsky aka M3 of ‘Wassabi Collective’, brings her full percussion set up sponsored by Mountain Rhythm, while Erica Dee aka Dee Selectress drops the beats for the Luscious duo. Together these ladies combine rich vocals, smooth harmonies, and sweet MC styles to create a highly energetic and infectious performance.

One of the leading DJs on the Canadian prairies, Mama Cutsworth is no stranger to making folks flip on the old school funk, soul, hip hop, reggae, latin and disco. With the dusty funk staying permanently in her record crates, you can bet your neighbour’s kid that by the end of the night you’ll be freaking out to the hot horn sections, wicked basslines and slammin’ percussion.

Robbie Currie (aka Nobody Really) was born in London, Ontario in 1978. From an early age he was around music, lighting up talent show with a passion. In 2001, Nobody Really took the Whistler hip hop scene by storm playing clubs, venues and hosting parties to get his name known. Performing at the 2003 Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival and soon selling out some of Whistler’s biggest clubs, he was determined to bring his conscious and unique sound to the masses.

Ricochet... from his other name sometime used Rick, makes fat techy beats & breaks, and downtempo cuts in his home studio and runs his own production company supplying sound to many of the great parties attended over the years. His style is definitely thick unique underground beats with lots of melody. Rick plays breaks, house, electro, downtempo and lots of other cool electronica type stuff that makes people dance all over Whistler. He has headlined many nights over the years, doing what he does best... dropping big beats in a seamless mix!

Adam Reid is a proud Montreal actor who in one word can be described as versatile. His outgoing personality, unparalleled ease in front of the camera and his positive attitude makes him the prime candidate for a variety of projects in all facets of the entertainment world.

As an analyst, reporter, and/or host, Teigen covered the 2006 Torino Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games with CBC, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games with NBC and just finished working with the Olympic Broadcast Consortium (CTV, etc.) at the 2010 Winter Olympics. She has also covered numerous World Cup, Grand Prix, and National events for various sports including snowboarding, alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, BMX racing, gymnastics, rowing, triathlon, Paralympic athletics and wheelchair basketball. For five years Teigen was the live event host announcer of the ski and snowboard events at the Winter X Games.

Pegged as one of B.C.'s future stars, Ali Milner has been turning heads with her velvety voice, alluring piano, charming lyrics and engaging presence. The young Whistlerite brings an upbeat feel to her jazz, rhythm and blues, and has been called the next Joni Mitchell.

ALO's gloriously infectious tunes cruise the classic American soundscape from roots rock to bluesy jazz with a hint of 70's disco. Experience the experimental live performance these guys mastered on tour with Jack Johnson.

Guitarist and singer Alpha Yaya Diallo, from Guinea in West Africa, is one of the hottest acts on the current world music scene. Now based in Vancouver, Canada, he’s earned a matchless reputation internationally for the excellence of his musicianship and the excitement of his live shows - whether performing solo or with his band Bafing.

Whistler's own Animal Nation is so jammed full of steaming hot literary science that you will be transmorphed into a scientition upon hearing their hip hop beats....You'll become a full-fledged, babe-magnet, chemistry-in-your-face, Bill Nye the freakin' Science Guy type of scientition! Now freak on that.

Barenaked Ladies carved a name for themselves with songs like "One Week" and "If I Had $1000000". They have a fan base that's second to none. Their penchant for the road, combined with the ability to truly engage the audience, make Barenaked Ladies one of North America's best live acts.

Legendary Canadian singer songwriter Barney Bentall fills Village Square with old-time country, beautifully timeless ballads and crowd-pleasing good times. If you're a fan of Bruce Springsteen, Fred Eaglesmith or Bruce Cockburn this concert is not to be missed.

With sold out shows in Canada and performances at the Leeds Festival, London's V-Fest and PukkelPop, award-winning Bedouin Soundclash brings their energetic show to Whistler Live! embodying an innovative fusion of reggae, rock, punk and soul.

Twelve studio and two live albums, a Greatest Hits collection and two DVDs later, Blue Rodeo has been quintessentially Canadian for over 30 years! Hear your favourites from the road less traveled and share in success that reached beyond all expectations.

Chic Gamine, the impishly charming Winnipeg/Montreal-based vocal quintet, has been serenading its audiences since the summer of 2007. Over the years, its members have been integral parts of a multitude of projects, notably, R'n'B/Soul sensation little boy boom, Brazilian Funk/Pop flavoured Gaïa and International Independant Music Award laureate, World Vocal ensemble Madrigaïa.

The Constantines come from a planet held together with power chords and safety pins. We live in a rickety house in a dirty, dismal street, where the naked hide from day and thieves and drunkards meet. We come from a long line of bad teeth. We've got foul mouths full of black and gold. We make rock-and-roll music. Come out, shake your ass, get reckless. Young hearts, be free tonight.

Corb Lund is an Alberta cowboy, third-generation rancher and musician of Western music with galloping stand-up bass and steel guitar. His Jack London-esque stories about down-and-out cowboys and whiskey draw a mix of roughnecks, bikers, bankers, and ranch hands standing shoulder to shoulder at his rockin' shows.

In Welcome to Jamrock, Damian Jr. Gong Marley, the youngest of the musical Marley family, rhymes with the conviction of a street preacher and the intellect of a university economist.

Stalking shadows on the prairies, and shaking mountains with howls and footstomps, Elliott BROOD have a penchant for stories they just can't shake. Their raw and energetic shows and richly-crafted records have topped charts and won awards across Canada.

Five Alarm Funk is a 12-piece rhythm machine delivering a delirium-inducing show fuelled by funk and afro-beat grooves. The horn and percussion-driven jams feature searing guitar leads and soaring horn solos. Their wicked cross-rhythms and frenetic costumed show appeal to jazz fans and clubs kids alike.

Galactic stands as one of the funkiest outfits in the known universe exposing their organic grooves and urban ear, with drops of hip hop beats and contemporary funk. "We want to modernize the New Orleans sound!"

Gorky Park is a Russian glam metal band famous during the final years of the Cold War. They're famous for its kitsch use of western stereotypes of Russians, such as pseudo-traditional clothing, balalaika-like guitar design and Hammer and sickle as their logo.

Great Lake Swimmers' Everything is Moving So Fast foreshadowed the rapid success of this Toronto band. Listen for Tony Dekker's dynamic voice and compelling lyrics conveying heartache and comfort all in a single phrase.

Joined by fate and an Austrian ski guide's keen intuition, The Hairfarmers - "Guitar" Doug and "Grateful" Greg - first hit the stage in '98. That hairy seed has grown into what droves of big mountain skiers and music fans alike consider "the quintessential après ski band"!

With rock triumphs, a growing fan base and formidable body mass, Hawksley Workman has evolved from the pin-striped oddball with a critically-acclaimed diamond voice, to the panoramic, guitar-punishing superstar.

Hey Rosetta! surges with an energetic fusion of contemplative, bedsit lyricism and good old-fashioned Canadian rock, gilded with horns, strings, and gorgeous vocals. These Newfoundlanders instill goosebumps, bewilderment and pure relief.

House of Doc infuses musical inspirations Gordon Lightfoot, Simon & Garfunkel and Spirit of the West with a rocking, down-home delivery. This family captures their story with revamped folk, energized bluegrass, dazzling instrumentals and intricate harmonies.

Inez is a Sto:lo singer songwriter with powerhouse talent. As one of Canada's top aboriginal musicians, her blending of traditional native sounds with a love for contemporary hip hop and R&B;, brings the best of her culture to the mainstream world.

With a voice like Feist and a sound like Arcade Fire, Jenn Grant is PEI's best kept secret. She has earned numerous East Coast Music Awards nominations and toured with Great Lake Swimmers, Hayden and The Weakerthans. If Jenn Grant could bottle and sell her enthusiasm, the world would be a better place!

"I'm a girl, I'm a lady, I'm a Woman, I'm a Queen, I'm everything I can DREAM…" Toronto’s Jully Black opens her Black Book today in Village Square. Jully Black played in Whistler at our One-Year Countdown Celebration in Village Square only a year ago.

In April 2008, ten years into their remarkable career, Karkwa released Le volume du vent [Volume of the Wind], their landmark third album. Simultaneously serious and irresistibly soaring, Karkwa’s latest record marks a new chapter in a story whose most exciting moments are surely yet to come.

The time is now for Kuba Oms, the Canadian singer who mines 70s-era soul, funk and rock n’ roll on his solo debut, How Much Time. As the long-time musical director of the live house jam band Velvet, he has taken a contemporary approach to his own project that could be likened to a cross between Jamiroquai, Paolo Nutini, Jason Mraz, Ben Harper and Al Green.

Kuban Cossack Chorus is one of the leading Folkloric ensembles in Russia. Its repertoire and performances reflect the songs, dances and folklore of the Kuban Cossacks. Kuban Cossack Chorus is in Whistler in celebration of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.

With the rhythm of the violin, accordions, guitars, bass, piano and percussion, blended perfectly with the Quebecois foot-tapping, the innovative, energetic and festive music of La Volée de Castors incites people all over the world to dance.

With great musicianship and a keen sense of humor, The Lost Fingers create an ingenious, platinum-status tribute to the 80's in the swinging gypsy style of 'jazz manouche'. They captivate audiences everywhere with witty and jazzed-up renditions of hits by the likes of AC/DC, Stevie Wonder, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson and George Michael.

Blending traditional Jewish themes, New York's Matisyahu covers a dizzying stylistic ground, from reggae to hard-edged dancehall and ska-inflected New Wave to laidback pop-rock and acoustic folk-soul. He blends infectious melodies and intricate production with classic messages of hope, peace and understanding to create a sound that is undeniably his own.

Drawing on traditional characters from Quebecois folklore, Mes Aïeux performs material addressing modern concerns in a grassroots package with a touch of funk, rap, disco and French song.

Montreal-based Misteur Valaire is a crazy hybrid of hip-hop, jazz, electronic, indie-pop and old school rave! Thanks to the originality of their music, dazzling live performance and mind-blowing visuals, Misteur Valaire are on their way to the top of the international electro-jazz scene.

By harnessing the power of wrestling suits, tennis sweatbands, vintage synthesizers, and electric guitar, Neighbour has tapped into an ancient power giving him the capacity to conjure up frenzied dance floors wherever he is needed. In addition to playing almost 100% original production and remixes, Neighbour plays live synthesizer and electric guitar alongside his legendary DJ sets, which range from no-nonsense electric funk bangers to gorgeous technicolour remixes of classic garage, disco, and house music. Some people say that dance music isn't as fun as it used to be; but, some people haven't seen a grown man in a unitard shoot lasers out of his guitar far away into the night sky.

Juno Award winning and Montreal-based Sam Roberts Band is on the Village Square Stage this afternoon. Head to the Village and watch an amazing performance by one of Canada's bestselling rock singer-songwriters.

Two Hours Traffic is at the forefront of the Canadian Maritime pop revival having toured with Wintersleep and Joel Plaskett. Their close-your-eyes-and-sing-along choruses have put them on the melodic map. Two Hours Traffic is bringing their Territory to yours.

Winner of the Austrian music award, Valerie Sajdik sound is influenced by jazz and chanson and the music of the 60’s. This multi-lingual songstress says live concerts are her elixir of life.

As third-generation Acadians, Vishtèn creates modern music with the essential spirit of their roots using multi-instrumental Celtic sounds, French lyrics, step-dancing and four-part harmonies.

La Volée de Castors are counted among the most dynamic and promising groups of the current musical scene. Tirelessly hard working, the members of La Volée de Castors charge through everything in their path and knock down the last remaining prejudices. From Canada to Spain, passing by the USA, Switzerland, Italy, England, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Japan, the international public adores La Volée de Castors.

Wassabi Collective are critically acclaimed as one of Canada's best live independent bands…they've enthralled audiences from coast-to-coast with their dynamic, explorative jams and eclectic…soul-satisfying sound.

They sang for Sir Paul McCartney last summer in their native Halifax! FFWD Calgary calls these guys: "head smashingly heavy and heart-achingly delicate". "Hope grows beneath these sable clouds and distant stars, and a light that looms beyond them all. Until then, welcome to the night sky...".

To put the dance floor into a hypnotic state of movement and emotional backlash is an art form all to itself mastered by Vancouver's premier female DJ, B.Traits. At the age of only 23, she has captivated audiences around the globe, touring Asia, Europe, USA and Canada. Her emotional persona of chaos and desire, fused with heavy beats and booming bass has led her to the vanguard of the underground music community.

Chromeo is P-Thugg and Dave 1: Best friends since adolescence, virtuoso musicians and walking hip hop encyclopaedias and the only successful Arab/Jew partnership since the dawn of time who bonded over their love for funk.

Whether crafting kaleidoscopic house and techno, snap-clap digital dancehall, or impossibly heavy dub, Deadbeat continues to search for his own unique voice between the ones and zeros.

DJ.Czech is the godfather of Canada's breakbeat scene who's been involved with some of the biggest events ever in North America as both a DJ and promoter. Living in Prague, Czech - he continues to take his breakbeat and funk sound global.

The FORT KNOX FIVE is a leading force in the international funk and breaks scene. Having released an arsenal of floor rocking singles and remixes, the FORT KNOX FIVE has the midas touch for producing heavy hitting records.

Grand Analog is a raw collective of seasoned record collectors, musicians and self-described beat junkies. They're a rap'n'roll, jazz-funk, dub and soul, hip hop slop shop of good times and bad. These Winnipegers are unbalanced and dirty; never clean.

Josh Martinez is a machine. A well-oiled, straight-talking, globetrotting sex-machine, who’s traveled the world more than the avian flu. The People’s Champ is one of the most diverse artists in the music game, surpassing the limitations of indie hip hop by pursuing an “innovative and entirely unique hybrid of clever pop melodies and intelligent, layered songwriting that borrows from everywhere and sounds like nothing else.” (Spin)

KEYS N KRATES are like nothing you've ever seen before. Using live instrumentation, turntablism, and live sampling to flip existing music right before your eyes, KEYS N KRATES have re-invented the remix. The trio consists of world champion turntablist and certified 'partyrocker' DJ Jr Flo (EH! Team DJ's), the ever soulful Matisse on keys and hard hitting Tune on Drums.

Kid Koala tells stories with the turntables by weaving classic hip hop, breaks and generous swathes of guitar. He slyly uses pencils, paper, clay, glue, records and mixers to bring joy and silliness to the far reaches of the earth.

Mathew’s music is a hybrid of styles; forging influences from techno, jazz, house, drum’n’bass and fusion to create flowing bass lines and synth melodies that have influenced his trademark tech-fusion sounds.

Maestro Fresh Wes has catapulted himself into Canadian history for being the best selling Hip Hop artist his country has ever produced. “Let Your Backbone Slide” is the only Canadian Hip Hop single to reach Gold status as well as being the first Hip Hop song to premier on Billboards Top 20 Rap Singles Chart. Maestro’s talent to reinvent himself has strengthen his career and carried him forward to continue writing and recording exceptional material and has kept him performing with top-selling international artists such as RunDMC and Public Enemy.

Technically Mat is not an Alien but one thing is certain -- Mat the Alien is capable of some out of this world DJ sets. With crates as deep as a black hole he has combined world class mixing and scratching skills to tour throughout the world and drop tracks to numerous TV shows and films. In 2006, Mat rocked the party at Canada House during the Torino 2006 Winter Games.

If your ears work, you can't not have fun at a Smalltown DJs gig. That's a scientific fact. Look it up. The Canadian duo's uncanny ability to make crowds feel like schoolkids at recess stems naturally from their focus on maximizing fun for themselves. In their focus on music as a means of letting loose and having fun, Smalltown DJs are like the KISS of dance music. Actually, KISS are too theatrical. They're more like AC/DC. Meets Raffi. At a water-slide park. With a lot (a LOT) of beer.

Vancouver-based Swollen Members dropped the hip hop tracks to the mind-blowing pioneering snowboard videos of the late-90s. Revitalized and stronger than ever, Swollen Members are armed and ready to take it back to the basics in the town that they call their second home.

Whether speaking on the block, the reservation or hanging out at the club, the Team Rezofficial sound comes out of authentic rez experience and urban life in Canada. The varied life experiences of each member of Team Rezofficial are represented in the music. They have been nominated for the Western Canadian Music Awards, both an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Award and a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award, and a Juno nomination in 2009. Team Rezofficial received a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for Best Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year in 2005.

The two brothers have been trained in classical tabla, Gurmat Sangeet and various forms of Punjabi folk music and Bhangra. Yet Tigerstyle has a broad taste in contemporary music ranging from hip hop to drum'n'bass and dance.

Fads come and go, but Vinyl Ritchie weathers them all, ranking among the longest-standing and best-respected DJs in West Coast history. Way before the hipsters invented the mash-up, Ritchie was playing all over the map, tracing contemporary styles like breaks, electro, house and hip-hop back to their roots in ‘70s era soul and funk- Georgia Straight.

After winning the MuchMusic VJ Search in 2004, Devon was named one of TV Guide's "'Top 10 Stars on the Verge of a Major Breakout in 2005" and he did not disappoint. While working for MuchNews and hosting various Much specials, Devon has interviewed a slew of A-Listers including Marilyn Manson, Jack White, Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst, Beyoncé, and Gwen Stefani.

Born in Toronto and residing in Montreal for the past 12 years, Ru Matsui has been active in the Canadian film, television, and fashion industries for the past decade. Ru had the privilege of reporting for CBC Television at the Bejing 2008 Olympic Games. In addition to her appearance as a performer on Quebec's acclaimed reality television show "Star Academie", Ru has been featured on the Discovery Channel’s "DinoLab 2" and can currently be seen in season 6 of the highly-rated cooking show "What's Cooking", on both W Network and Viva.