Publisher of seven weekly newspapers and various specialty publications circulated throughout Northwest Territories (Yellowknife) and Nunavut (Iqaluit)
Paul Murphy belting out a hit from Wintersleep's long list of singles.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Skies cleared for a safe and sunny return of Yellowknife’s biggest music weekend.
Featuring headliners La Force, Wintersleep and Lido Pimienta, Folk on the Rocks boasted a diverse range of artists. From the klezmer solos of Yiddish gangster throwback Orkestar Kriminal to the classical influences of Beverly Glenn-Copeland, the lineup ran the gambit.
The purple-shirted Sub-Arctic Safety Squad supplied easy support services, handing out ear-plugs, water, prophylactics, bug spray and sunscreen while checking in to see if all festival-goers were well.
This weekend marked the squad’s third year helping to provide a safe, respectful environment at the festival. The relaxed, backyard-party atmosphere contributed to a welcoming, family-friendly music festival for residents and guests all weekend.
To close out the weekend after a headlining concert from indie rock mainstays Wintersleep on Sunday evening, the Yellowknives Dene Drummers laid down a show-stopping performance to end the festival and send Yellowknifers home after another memorable Folk on the Rocks.
The infamous selfie spot at the Folk on the Rocks festival.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Lido Pimienta belts out a performance on the festival’s main stage on Saturday.
Nick Pearce / NNSL Photo
Ariel Engle performing as La Force shares ended Saturday night’s main stage roster of artists.
Nick Pearce / NNSL Photo
John Maxwell White of Harmony on Mars delivers a performance to the Beer Garden crowd on Sunday afternoon.
Nick Pearce / NNSL Photo
Cassia Hardy of Wares stomps on an effects pedal during the band’s Sunday performance.
Nick Pearce / NNSL Photo
Wares bass player Matthew Gooding takes a break during the band’s performance on Sunday.
Nick Pearce / NNSL Photo
Fiona McTaggart and Patrick Hamilton of The Sweeties combine traditional gospel and country influences with doom rock guitar riffs at Folk on the Rocks on Saturday afternoon.
Nick Pearce / NNSL Photo
Nap Eyes guitarist Brad Loughead takes the stage on Saturday at Folk on the Rocks.
Nick Pearce / NNSL Photo
Nap Eyes vocalist Nigel Chapman performs on Saturday.
Avery Zingel / NNSL Photo
Viktor Babčan and Amélie Duval dance in the Beer Garden on Saturday.
Aaron Hemens / NNSL Photo
Brian Weadick and Taylor Saracuse hold their guitars for audience members to limbo under during their set during their Satuday Lakefront stage set.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
From the left David Buchanan, Stephen Macauley, Brittany Armstrong and Matthew Ellis show off their funky festival shirts at the beer garden stage.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Robert Abelity Blaine performs a card trick on Saturday.
Aaron Hemens / NNSL Photo
Families gather on blankets on the sand by the main stage on Saturday.
Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce of Snotty Nose Rex Kids get down to the audiences level during their electric Sunday performance.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Darren “Young D” Metz of Snotty Nose Rez Kids inspired the crowd with his lyrical style and bone rattling beats.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Cuban-Canadian Alex Cuba got some bodies shaking at the Beer Garden stage during his Sunday set.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Alex Cuba’s band cutting a rug for during his Afro-Cuban inspired set on Sunday.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Nicholas and Xander Gemier from Cockrane, ON traded in their camo for some tie-die and blew some bubbles by the main stage on Sunday.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Leela Gilday is a Dene-Canadian singer songwriter from Yellowknife, one of very few local acts on the FOTR docket.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Brittany Herriot, left, and Danielle Wendehorst of the Sub Arctic Safety Squad (or SASS) making sure all festival goers are safe, hydrated and covered in sunscreen.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Micah Ehrenberg and his band perform their early afternoon Saturday set at the Beer Garden stage. Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Christina Rae Carrigan, left, paints a mural with Maddy Tetreault, middle top, and Julie Downs. The best friend trio painted the FOTR mural over two days.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
The Yellowknives Dene Drummers kick off the first Saturday set on the main stage with a dance song after opening with a prayer.
Aaron Hemens / NNSL photo
A dance circle kicks up some sand in front of the main stage as the Yellowknives Dene Drummers warn listeners that Dene Drummers usually pack it up if everyone stays sitting.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Aiden Tentrees of Whitehorse’s Soda Pony whaled on his guitar during charismatic two man performance.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Wintersleep’s Tim D’eon rocks the main stage during the headline performance of the festival weekend.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Chris Bell of Wintersleep keeping rythem and an eye on his bandmates during their headline performance.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Paul Murphy belting out a hit from Wintersleep’s long list of singles.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Wintersleep performing to a packed audience on the Main Stage as headliners.
Brett McGarry / NNSL photo
Thank you to all the board members and volunteers who made Folk on the Rocks 2019 possible.
Nick Pearce
Nick Pearce is a writer and reporter in Yellowknife, looking for unique stories on the environment and people that make up the North. He's a graduate of Queen's University, where he studied Global Development...
More by Nick Pearce
