The 10 Best Acts to See at Mariposa Folk Festival

Tuesday, 23 June 2026 21:17

You could win a weekend pass by listening to The Bay!

The Mariposa Folk Festival returns to the sunny shores of Tudhope Park in Orillia, Ontario, carrying the evocative theme "Sounds Like Home". For generations of music lovers, the festival has been exactly that—an annual pilgrimage to a place where the grass is green, the lake breeze is cool, and the music is entirely real. With an incredibly deep lineup blending iconic international troubadours and stellar homegrown talent, choosing where to park your lawn chair can be a daunting task. To help guide your festival weekend, here are the 10 absolute must-see acts, their essential stories, and the songs that will define their sets.

1. Steve Earle

A towering figure in American roots music, Steve Earle returns to the Mariposa stage with a lifetime of grit, poetry, and resilience in his guitar case. Having survived the highest highs and lowest lows of the music industry, Earle remains an unmatched storyteller who commands an audience by sheer force of personality. The absolute essential track to hear live is "Copperhead Road." When that unmistakable, slow-building mandolin intro kicks in and shifts into a roaring country-rock anthem about a backwoods moonshine dynasty, the entire main stage field will be on its feet.

2. Father John Misty

Making his highly anticipated Mariposa debut, Josh Tillman—performing as Father John Misty—brings his uniquely cinematic, darkly humorous, and lushly orchestrated indie-folk to Orillia. Known for his charismatic, enigmatic stage presence and velvet vocals, he is a master at subverting expectations. The song that will define his weekend is "Real Love Baby." Expect a massive sing-along for this breezy, sun-drenched piece of pure melodic optimism that is perfectly suited for a late-afternoon festival crowd.

3. Billy Bragg

The ultimate punk-rock bard, Britain’s Billy Bragg has spent over four decades proving that political conviction and beautiful love songs can live seamlessly in the same set. Bragg’s legendary wit, working-class solidarity, and endless charm make his festival workshops and main stage appearances unforgettable. Look out for his performance of "California Stars." Written by Woody Guthrie and set to music by Bragg and Wilco, this timeless track is a stunning tribute to late-night dreaming under the open sky.

4. Taj Mahal

A living monument to the blues, multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal has spent more than 50 years reshaping the definitions of roots music by incorporating African, Caribbean, and South Pacific sounds. Performing with the Phantom Blues Band, his set promises an infectious, joyful masterclass in rhythm. The definitive song to experience is "Fishin' Blues"

5. Dan Mangan

Vancouver’s Dan Mangan has evolved into one of Canada's most cherished indie-folk songwriters. He understands the mechanics of festival magic better than most, often stepping off the stage entirely to sing directly from the middle of a tightly packed crowd. His signature live anthem is "Robots." This quirky, emotional fan-favourite invariably turns the entire audience into an exuberant, roaring choir, shouting the refrain: "Robots need love too!"

6. The Devin Cuddy Band

Carrying on a rich Canadian musical lineage, Devin Cuddy delivers a brilliant cocktail of New Orleans barrelhouse blues, ragtime, and classic country. Backed by his incredibly tight band, Cuddy’s energetic piano-driven storytelling is tailor-made for a mid-day side-stage dance party. The highlight of the set will be "Radio," a foot-stomping, swinging tune that shows off his classic honky-tonk piano chops and easygoing, storytelling charm.

7. The Barr Brothers

Hailing from Montreal, The Barr Brothers create an atmospheric, intricate brand of folk-rock that blends delicate acoustic fingerpicking with the avant-garde harp playing of Sarah Pagé. Their live performances are highly visual and deeply moving audio soundscapes. Make sure you catch "Even the Darkness Has Arms," a gorgeous, acoustic-driven track featuring beautiful vocal harmonies and a driving rhythm that feels both intimate and expansive.

8. Justin Rutledge

Toronto singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge is a master of the quiet, devastatingly beautiful Americana ballad. With a Juno Award to his name and a gift for literate, cinematic lyrics, Rutledge’s sets provide a perfect, reflective oasis amid the festival bustle. His performance of "Out of the Woods" is bound to be a highlight, offering a beautifully atmospheric track that captures the yearning, landscape-driven poetry that has made Rutledge a critic's darling for years.

9. Sarah Harmer

Few voices are as deeply woven into the fabric of Canadian folk music as Sarah Harmer's. An passionate environmental activist and brilliant lyricist, Harmer returns to Mariposa with her crisp, pristine vocals and a catalog of songs that feel like catching up with an old friend. The moment everyone will be waiting for is "Basement Apt." This nostalgic, bittersweet anthem of early-twenties living will have generations of festival-goers singing every single word right back to the stage.

10. Yukon Blonde

Bringing a welcome burst of vibrant indie-rock energy to the weekend, Vancouver's Yukon Blonde ensures that the festival's sonic boundaries remain wide open. Known for their shimmering synths, hook-filled guitars, and undeniable groove, they are bound to be a major weekend highlight. The song to hear is "Summer in July," a sparkling, uptempo track that serves as the perfect soundtrack for a weekend spent outside by Lake Simcoe.