FernFest 2025 Performers:
LLƏK̓ʷƏŊƏN TRADITIONAL DANCERS – Welcome & Culture Share
Stage: Fernwood Square – Friday, June 13, 5:00 PM
We are so grateful to have the LLƏK̓ʷƏŊƏN TRADITIONAL DANCERS joining us at FernFest to open our event.
FernFest will open with a welcome and culture share by the lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers. The history of lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers stretches back 45 years. Currently under the guidance of sisters Lyla and Beth Dick, the group was founded in 1978 at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre by Ray Peter from the Cowichan tribe along with late Bob Malcom and Jim, Butch and Skip Dick. Read more…
AFRICAN DANCE WITH SABUR ABDULAI
Stage: Little Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 1:50 PM
Sabur Abdulai performs traditional Ghanaian music. He has been teaching West African traditional dances, drumming, and singing across British Columbia for over five years.
Instagram: @saburabdulai
BABY BOY & THE EARTHLY DELIGHTS
Stage: Fernwood Square – Friday, June 13, 5:45 PM
This dynamic ensemble from Vancouver Island blends rock and pop melodies, combing guitar riffs and a rocksteady rhythm. Their performances are known to be high energy, fusing musical styles that bend genres.
Instagram: @earthlydelightsmusic
BASE COLLECTIVE
Stage: Fernwood Square – Saturday, June 14, 3:00 PM
Base Collective is a band hailing from Vancouver Island, known for their debut EP “Clarence Chum’s Base Collective.” They are passionate about their craft, bringing a blend of upbeat vocals, percussion and riffs.
Instagram: @basecollect
BENJI DUKE
Stage: Fernwood Square Stage MC
Benji Duke is Victoria’s local quiz-master and performer. He hosts engaging and high-energy quiz shows that have become a staple in the local entertainment scene. Originally from York, England, he brings a unique blend of humor and showmanship to his events.
Instagram: @benjiduke
DRAG HOUR WITH CHAZ AVERY & FRIENDS
Stage: Little Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 6:45 PM
Chaz Avery is a prominent drag king and producer based in Victoria, BC. Since debuting in 2016, he has been a key figure in the Left Coast Drag Collective, known for his live performances and contributions to the local drag scene.
Instagram: @chaz.averyinstagram
DEAD SUMMER
Stage: Fernwood Square – Saturday, June 14, 5:20 PM
Dead Summer is a Victoria-based band known for their debut single “Bloom.” Their music captures themes of introspection and depth, expressed through compelling soundscapes.
DEVOURS
Stage: Little Fernwood – Saturday June 14, 8:00 PM
Devours is the DIY electropunk project of Vancouver-based musician Jeff Cancade. With five acclaimed underground albums, Devours explores themes of identity through synth-heavy, experimental sound.
Instagram: @devours.ufo
DRAMA QUEEN
Stage: Fernwood Square – Saturday, June 14, 7:30 PM
Drama Queen is a synth-pop ensemble from Saltspring Island. Their performances are characterized by energetic rhythms and an engaging stage presence.
Instagram: @drama.queen.band
FERN FRIENDS (YOUTH JAM SESSION BAND)
Stage: Big Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 12:45 PM
Fern Friends (Our Youth Jam Session Band)
A rotating ensemble of young local musicians showcasing their talents live on stage. This jam is a collaboration of creativity and skill in Victoria’s next generation of artists.
FERNWOOD OPEN MIC
Stage: Little Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 12:50 PM
A beloved community Wednesday night tradition, Fernwood Open Mic offers space for musicians, poets, and performers to share their voices. It’s grassroots artists coming to share their magic with us!
Instagram: @fernwoodopenmic
FIGRIN SAM
Little Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 3:45 PM
This Vancouver Island artist delivers funk-infused sounds. His performances blend retro rhythms with modern energy to get you jazzed up.
Instagram: @figrinsam
GALGAPOLA
Stage: Big Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 2:30 PM
Their name means ‘we stand together hand in hand’.
We are so grateful to have them joining us at FernFest this year on the Big Fernwood Stage.
GARRET T. WILLIE
Stage: Big Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 9:00 PM
Garret T. Willie is a blues-rock guitarist from Alert Bay, BC. His raw vocals and gritty guitar riffs breathe life into classic blues.
Instagram: @garrettwilliemusic
GARDEN CITY SOUL CLUB DANCE PARTY
Stage: Big Fernwood – Friday, June 13, 8:50 PM
A vinyl DJ collective spinning rare soul, funk, and R&B that keeps the dance floor alive. Their parties are legendary in Victoria for timeless sounds and all-night parties.
Instagram: @gardencitysoulclub
GETTWETT
Stage: Fernwood Square – Friday, June 13, 6:50 PM
Victoria’s newest surf-rock party band, GETTWETT brings high-octane energy and fun. They’re gearing up to release their debut EP — and it’s bound to make waves.
Instagram: @kurt.loewen
GHOSTLY HOUNDS
Stage: Little Fernwood – Friday, June 13, 8:00 PM
Ghostly Hounds combines soulful vocals with rich string arrangements. Drawing from folk, jazz, and blues, they craft haunting, heartfelt songs.
Instagram: @ghostlyhounds
GREG BONBON
Stage: Big Fernwood – Friday, June 13, 6:30 PM
Greg BonBon is a local Victoria singer-songwriter with a knack for introspective storytelling. His acoustic sets explore themes of everyday magic, and his voice travels far.
Instagram: @geebaa
GRAPEFRUIT IS IMPOSSIBLE
Stage: Big Fernwood – Friday, June 13, 7:45 PM
This local Victoria ensemble band plays with genre, rhythm, and surreal lyricism. Their indie sound is avant-garde, unpredictable, and refreshing.
Instagram: @grapefruit.is.impossible
HANK PINE
Stage: Little Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 9:00 PM
Hank Pine is a theatrical folk-punk performer with an unmistakable presence. He fuses storytelling, satire, and music into dramatic and highly compelling shows.
Instagram: @hunkotron
HIGH SOCIETY
Stage: Fernwood Square – Friday, June 13, 9:00 PM
High Society blends funk, jazz, and hip-hop into a thrilling live experience. Expect brass, rhythm, and lyrical flow all rolled into one vibrant set.
Instagram: @highsociety.band
HOT POT
Stage: Fernwood Square – Saturday, June 14, 6:25 PM
Hot Pot mixes funk, worldbeat, and jazz into one spicy stew. Their rhythmic drive and improvisational flair creates an engaging sonic experience.
Instagram: @1234hotpot
JOE ABBOTT
Stage: Big Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 7:45 PM
Joe Abbott is a song writer, multi instrumentalist and singer from Vancouver, BC with a background in jazz, blues and American roots music.
Instagram: @dogfooddaddy
KADY SAVARD
Stage: Big Fernwood MC & Open Jam Workshop – Saturday, June 14, 5:35 PM
Kady Savard is a beloved local MC, performer, and community icon. Her open jam workshop brings people together to explore music in an inclusive and joyful space.
Instagram: @kadysavard
LUNALAND
Stage: Little Fernwood – Friday, June 13, 6:00 PM
LUNALAND is a local dream-pop band conjuring moody, lush soundscapes. Their ethereal melodies explore themes of memory, emotion, and imagination.
Instagram: @lunalandofficial
MARIACHI SIN FRONTERA & FIESTA LATINA BALLET FOLKLORICO
Stage: Big Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 3:30 PM
This ensemble brings traditional Mexican music and dance to the stage in a vibrant and heartfelt celebration of Latin music. Their performances are rich in colour, sound, and spirit.
Instagram: @mariachisinfrontera
MEGGO
Stage: Big Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 1:30 PM
MEGGO is a synth-pop artist crafting dreamy, ambient electronic tracks. Her music combines smooth vocals with atmospheric beats.
Instagram: @meggo.music
OK, DOPE IMPROV
Stage: Little Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 4:45 PM
OK, Dope Imporov is a local Victoria comedy troupe known for sharp wit and guaranteed good times. They offer local improv classes to the Victoria community.
Instagram: @okdopefunny
PARIS PICK & THE PRICKS
Stage: Fernwood Square – Friday, June 13, 7:55 PM
Paris Pick & the Pricks blend soul, pop, and vintage flair into high-energy performances. Paris’s powerhouse vocals and catchy melodies make them a festival favorite.
Instagram: @parispicktheprick
PASTEL BLANK
Stage: Fernwood Square – Saturday, June 14, 8:50 PM
This Montréal-based project is led by singer/songwriter Angus Watt. Pulling influence from the jerky rhythms and genre-blending curiosity of Talking Heads as well as the interlocking guitar-work of Canadian post-punk luminaries Women, the music of Pastel Blank cloaks experimentation in pop-minded song structure.
Instagram: @pastelblank
PINDN
Stage: Fernwood Square – Saturday, June 14, 2:00PM
Kwakwa̲ka̲’wakw & Nuu-Cha-Nulth M.C. living on lək̓ʷəŋən Territory (Vic) Healing, cleansing & speaking up through Hip Hop since ’22.
Instagram: @pin.dee.in
THE PHIGS
Stage: Little Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 5:50 PM
The Phigs are a high-energy rock band delivering super fun performances with big riffs and bigger heart. Their sound merges alt rock, punk, and community spirit.
Instagram: @thephigs
PONCHO YBF
Stage: Little Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 2:45 PM
Poncho YBF is a local genre-bending artist that fuses soul, hip hop, and psychedelic groove. Their dynamic presence and infectious beats ignite the stage this Saturday!
Instagram: @ponchoybf
PONY GOLD
Stage: Big Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 6:40 PM
Pony Gold is a folk-rock artist blending poetic lyrics with soulful harmonies.
Instagram: @ponygoldband
POPPA DON GERNIE
Stage: Fernwood Square – Saturday, June 14, 4:15 PM
Poppa Don Gernie is a local music project known for their technical skill and potent sounds. Arguably Victoria’s sexiest bluegrass band.
Instagram: @poppadongernie
REGAN CHEVALIER-SHORTT
Stage: MC for Little Fernwood Stage
Regan is one of FernFest’s beloved emcees, known for their charisma and creative spark. With charm and ease, they help keep the festival flowing from stage to stage.
Instagram: @reganchevy
SLIM SANDY & THE HILLBILLY BOPPERS
Stage: Big Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 4:30 PM
Slim Sandy & the Hilbilly Boppers bring vintage rockabilly and western swing to life. With upright bass, slick guitar, and old-school flair, they’ll transport you to another era.
Instagram: @slimsandyrocknroll
THE THUNES
Stage: Little Fernwood – Friday, June 13, 9:00 PM
The Thunes share playful, surfy garage rock packed with energy. .
Instagram: @thethunes
THISTLE
Stage: Big Fernwood – Saturday, June 14, 11:30 AM
Thistle is a folk duo whose warm harmonies and nature-inspired lyrics invite quiet reflection.
Instagram: @thistlefolk
TRIPPYCALS
Stage: Fernwood Square – Saturday, June 14, 1:00 PM
Trippycals blend psych rock and dreamy textures into a lush sonic journey. Their layered grooves and kaleidoscopic sounds create a rich, immersive performance.
Instagram: @trippycals
Vic High RnB Band
Stage: Fernwood Square – Saturday, June 14, 12:00 PM
The Vic High Rnb Band is made up of extremely hardworking talented students from the music program ranging from grade nine to twelve. This group stems from a long tradition of excellence and continues to carry that Vic high gold standard. This high energy ensemble promises to impress and plays a wide variety of fun music. A little something for everyone with highlights of upbeat and toe tapping tunes from past decades to modern hits!
Instagram: @vichighmusic
ZOUBI AND THE SEA
Stage: Little Fernwood – Friday, June 13, 7:00 PM
Zoubi and the Sea is the alt-pop project of singer-songwriter Zoubi Arros. Their performances fuse witchy mysticism and dreamy indie rock.
Instagram: @zoubiandthesea