Music

Londoners who attended East Coast Kitchen Party at the Grand Theatre in 2023 will remember Ian Sherwood, who performed the lead role. Ian returns to London, this time, in concert at Aeolian Hall.

Guitar, saxophone, huge songwriting and a voice that won him a Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Singer, Ian Sherwood Brings The Light to every stage he stands on. A born story teller and a constant creator, his music dances the line between folk and pop. His live performances thrive on intimacy. Whether it's a theatre show or large festival stage, his persona is irresistible and completely destroys fourth walls.

When not touring the UK, US or all across Canada Sherwood produces for other artists as well as for theatre, film and television. He was named Best Male Artist of the Year by the International Acoustic Music Awards and was twice named the Music Nova Scotia Musician Of The Year. Bob Mersereau of CBC Radio, Fredericton described him as “... a natural performer who entertains as much with his wit and stories as with his songs.”

“Everywhere To Go is a record which deserves be heard far and wide. Despite starting out as a saxophonist, acoustic folk is Ian Sherwood’s forte and it’s something he does rather well." –Americana-UK.com

“a brilliant slice of Canadian folk pop, songs to make your toes tap and lyrics to lift your soul...”–anythinggoesmusic.org.uk

“This latest release from a poetic wordsmith... has struck an egalitarian balance between aiming for the pulse and penetrating the heart.”–ThreeChordsAndTheTruth.blogspotco.uk

The colourful history of Newfoundland’s fishers and loggers, sealers and whalers is told with story, song and incredible visuals in this engaging musical review by Shipyard Kitchen Party, creators of “Tom Thomson’s Wake” and “100 Years from Now”.

From the remote outports to the vibrant city of St. John’s, from the fishing stages to the kitchens and front parlours, you’ll hear the timeless sea-shanties, triumphant ballads and the hilarious foot-stomping sing-a-longs that make Canada’s 10th province its most legendary.

You may not be a Newfoundlander when you take your seat, but you’ll feel like one when you leave!

Maggie’s Wake is a refreshing and exciting band from Southwestern Ontario, Canada. We are passionate about creating new music that expands on our influences and our sound is a blend of traditional folk and contemporary styles, including jazz, Americana and classic country. Our band members are passionate about bringing the rich history of folk music to life in a contemporary way and we strive to create a unique sound that reflects our heritage while also being wholly original. Our goal is to bring joy and inspiration to our audiences through our music.

The band features the stellar duo of award winning songwriter and multi instrumentalist Tara Dunphy (The Rizdales, Luther Wright and the Wrongs) on lead vocals, harmonizing tin whistle, flute and fiddle and award winning and internationally recognized Lindsay Schindler (Rant Maggie Rant, Trent Severn) as lead instrumentalist on fiddle/violin and harmony vocals. Their powerhouse band includes Andrew Kosty on upright and electric bass, Ken Palmer on acoustic and electric guitar, and frequent guests Dean Harrison on piano and accordion and Stephan Szczesniak on percussion.

In June 2023, Maggie’s Wake was awarded the Forest City London Music Award for best Folk group and shortly afterwards were invited to Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, MO to perform as an Official Showcase Artist. They have been playing sold out theatres and concert halls for the past 18 months, building much anticipation for their debut album, the self titled “Maggie’s Wake”, which was released on March 17, 2024 worldwide to critical acclaim.

3:30pm: Taylor Holden

4:30pm: Bobby Dove

5:30pm: Heartaches Duo

12:30pm: Gina Farrugia & Peter Karle

1:30pm: Bryan Gloyd & Friends

2:30pm: DNS Trio (Don DiCarlo, Chris Norley, Darryl Stacey)

3:30pm: Laurraine Sigouin Trio

4:30pm: Rick Kish & Friends Combo

5:30pm: Hilary Welch & Bryan Gloyd

Juno award winning singer-songwriter-musician Cara Luft is that rare artist steeped in folk and traditional roots music almost from birth, yet willing to alter the fabric, stretch the boundaries and fearlessly bend genres and styles.  A founding member of Canadian folk super-group The Wailin' Jennys and the brainchild behind Winnipeg's acclaimed powerhouse duo The Small Glories, Luft deserves her solid reputation as one of Canada’s finest live performers, armed with amazing tenacity, vision, energy and a contagious hilarity. To quote the roots magazine No Depression, “Luft has a rich tradition in folk music – it’s safe to assume that she knows her stuff – and upon listening it becomes quite clear that she is indeed a formidable songwriter and performer... [The] lovely Ms. Luft sets the bar for the talented few who’ll follow in her footsteps.”

Cara has a spirit that drives her to connect with people, and for this she is loved everywhere she goes. Reviewers of her live shows talk about her compelling vocals, superb musicianship, humorous anecdotes, accomplished songwriting, ability to switch between styles and the charm of her stage presence. Cara’s the real deal, there’s nothing pretentious about her. And that sense of honesty, integrity, personality and spontaneity permeates both her music and her live shows. “Long may she reign!” (Lonesome Highway)

Free, fun, and full of emotion, Dizzy & Fay is a songwriting duo featuring pianist Mark Lalama and vocalist Amanda Walther. Their melodies are fresh yet familiar, drawing listeners into their whimsical world with every original composition. With a one-of-a-kind take on the classic jazz sound, Dizzy & Fay deliver 100% original music that is as heartfelt as it is captivating.

Based in Southern Ontario, the duo has released two full-length albums, earning extensive airplay on jazz radio stations across the United States and Canada. Their latest album, Hooked, received glowing praise from Wholenote Magazine, describing the pair as “highly musical tunesmiths and storytellers,” while their 2021 song “I Knew It Was Love” was an official selection at the London Music Video Awards.

Dizzy & Fay’s unique blend of artistry stems from their rich musical backgrounds. Mark Lalama, a songwriter, pianist, and producer from Fenwick, has performed across North America and collaborated with some of Canada’s most renowned jazz artists, including Jackie Richardson, Marc Jordan, Guido Basso, and Molly Johnson.

Amanda Walther, a Juno-nominated singer-songwriter from Toronto, is celebrated for her emotive compositions, including the soundtrack for the LGBTQ+ film Walk With Me, which earned her multiple international awards for Best Composer and Best Soundtrack.

Together, Dizzy & Fay bring fresh energy to every performance, creating music that is timeless, engaging, and brimming with emotion.

Best Blues/R&B 2012 Jack Richardson Music Award winners, 2012 Memphis International Blues Challenge Semi-Finalists and 2011 London Free Press Local Album of the Year winners “Robbie Antone Band" gets its sound from the many influences of lead singer and harmonica ace Robbie Antone. Robbie Antone “Wolf Clan,” hails from the Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation, near London, Ontario.

TUNES@NOON at The Aeolian is supported with thanks to The Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundations and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.

Fiker is a singer/songwriter (and musician) who has been playing music and writing songs since the age of 13. Over the past 4-5 years, they have started performing their own music live. Fiker loves to sing, play, and listen to all genres of music, and they embrace a fluid, exploratory approach to sound that reflects their wide-ranging musical tastes. They feel genreless, which is freeing, as they’ve always desired the space to explore music without being boxed in. Their recent influences are rooted in R&B, jazz, soul, and neo-soul, though they are still discovering how those sounds will shape the songs they are currently writing. Fiker’s music is available on streaming platforms under the name "Fiker," with their song "heavyhand" now released. They have been influenced by artists such as Hayley Williams, Erykah Badu, Jazmine Sullivan, Mary Mary, Alanis Morissette, Pinegrove, and many more. With every new song, fiker continues to lean into curiosity, honesty, and the joy of musical exploration.

TUNES@NOON at The Aeolian is supported with thanks to The Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundations and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.

Dawn Redskye is a Deshkan Ziibing (London, Ontario) based artist.  She is of Anishinaabe and Irish ancestry.  In a rare solo performance, Redskye tackles current critical issues through a carefully curated mix of classic folk, contemporary and even a rock song or two. Dawn currently plays lead guitar for Lindsey and the Lonelies and fronts her newest original project DAWN!.

TUNES@NOON at The Aeolian is supported with thanks to The Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundations and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.