Nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Ontario, Port Dalhousie is buzzing with excitement in anticipation of the upcoming Cicada Music & Arts Festival. Set to take place September 30th & October 1st on the idyllic Henley Island, this 2-day music extravaganza promises to be a harmonious blend of live music, community spirit, and comradery.
More Than A Music Festival
Cicada Music & Arts is so much more than a music festival. It is an experience and an opportunity for the community to celebrate live music, arts and culture, craft beer, fine wine, and the culinary industry we so proudly recognize in the Niagara Region. The festival’s aim is to create an all-inclusive, accessible and welcoming environment, much like the one you may have experienced in the years prior.
LISTEN TO THE OFFICIAL CICADA PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY
The Cicada Music Festival has become synonymous with stellar musical performances, attracting renowned artists from various genres. This year’s lineup boasts a diverse array of headlining acts that promise to electrify Port:
July Talk
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH
MARTINDALE STAGE: 9:45-11:00PM
For this compulsively DIY, rigorously self-realizing group, the essence of July Talk has always been the tension between precision and chaos.
July Talk is known for their success at radio and their unmatched live show. Both of these things are true, but neither tells the complete story. As video directors, their meticulous and masterful visual work has created an entirely unique aesthetic, and propelled them into collaborations with other artists, including Tanya Tagaq, Born Ruffians and Jasmyn.
The Sheepdogs
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1ST
MARTINDALE STAGE: 8:45-10:00PM
Proud purveyors of guitar-driven modern-day retro rock, the triple Juno Award-winning Saskatoon-based quintet has expanded its sound on Changing Colours to encompass more styles and hues to enhance the Sheepdogs’ trademark beef-and-boogie twin-axe riffs, hooks, shuffles and long-haired aesthetic.
In the six years since The Sheepdogs claimed Rolling Stone magazine’s one and only Best Unsigned Band contest – earning them a U.S. record deal and a fervent endorsement from The Kings of Leon – the platinum-selling group has tirelessly criss-crossed the planet.
Touring in support of critically acclaimed albums Learn & Burn, The Sheepdogs and Future Nostalgia has only honed the band’s workhorse ethic.
Sloan
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH
MARTINDALE STAGE: 8:00-9:00PM
Sloan is without doubt the most truly democratic group in the annals of rock, with Jay Ferguson, Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, and Andrew Scott all contributing original compositions to each record, equal partners with equal say over every aspect of their work.
Having been at it for almost a quarter century, Sloan still has a few aspirations in the collective hopper. Pentland is keen to revisit the band`s seminal works via deluxe reissue and tour (a la 2012`s epic celebration of their landmark Twice Removed), while Ferguson would like to bang out “a real live off-the-floor rocking Sloan LP in our own studio, just quickly learn and record a song each day.”
For his part, Murphy has a very specific target in mind.”Andrew`s decision to make his side into one giant song meant that Sloan would remain shy of 200 released songs,” he says. “By my count, we are at 197. I`d like to record at least one more song each so we can crack 200.”
“I think – or hope – that there is a collective drive to continue to make great records and to leave some important work behind for others to hear and appreciate (or not),” says Scott. “As long as there is still gas in the tank it is our duty to see this through and continue to contribute some good to this world.”
CHECK OUT THE FULL LINEUP HERE
Pathstone Foundation
Cicada proudly supports Pathstone Foundation for Mental Health.
Nothing is more important than a child’s health and more and more children across Niagara are struggling with mental health challenges. The issues children face are always changing and there’s always a need for new and expanded services.
Pathstone Foundation exists to support the work of Pathstone Mental Health, providing funding that supports services like the Hear & Now Walk-in Clinic and projects like the Mountainview Natural Playground & Healing Garden, designed to enhance therapy. Donations also help reduce the wait list, support research and strengthen a child’s experience at Pathstone.
Pathstone has been providing world class mental health care for children in Niagara for over 50 years and their goal is to improve the quality of life for children, youth and families across Niagara who are dealing with mental health challenges.
Good mental health care today prepares our children for tomorrow.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP
Attend Cicada
Weekend and Single Day Festival Passes are available for Cicada Music & Arts 2023. The festival will feature performances from over 30 artists, a variety of Ontario craft beverages, local food vendors, craft vendors & live art installations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT CICADAFESTIVAL.CA
