Stir Cheat Sheet: 5 picks from Fiona Black for Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Event’s artistic director recommends under-the-radar discoveries, from Tanzanian polyphony to a smashing trad Irish trio

By Janet Smith

Japan’s TEKE::TEKE.

Ireland’s Ye Vagabonds.

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is at Jericho Beach from July 18 to 20

CONSIDER HOW WIDELY FOLK MUSIC has evolved, from early troubadours armed with nothing but acoustic guitars and rudimentary drums to today’s truly dizzying number of subgenres spanning continents around the world.

To love folk music is to embrace trad Irish gems, percussion-driven Tanzanian polyphonies, and retro-psychedelic Japanese-surf-rock explosions—all of which happen to be on offer at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival this year.

That wild array could make choices difficult at the 47th annual fest, hitting Jericho Beach from July 18 to 20. So Stir turned to artistic director Fiona Black, who’s helmed the event since September 2023, for some of her top discoveries.

Below are some of her insights on the acts you may not have heard of—but may very well love—at this year’s VFMF:

#1

Ye Vagabonds

July 18, 7:15 pm on the Evening Main Stage; July 19, 12:20 pm on the East Stage; July 20, 11:50 am on the South Stage

“Thrilled to have this Irish trio make their Vancouver debut at VFMF. They were the first band I booked for this edition of VFMF and I knew instantly upon hearing their gorgeous, brotherly harmonies and their sound deeply embedded in the fine folk traditions of Ireland that they were very special and would be a wonderful addition to our festival. Their trad sound comes from a mix of influences, distinctly their own while maintaining strong roots from the past.”

#2

The Zawose Queens.

The Zawose Queens

July 18, 10 pm on the Evening Main Stage; July 19, 11:10 am on the West Stage and 12:25 on the South Stage 

“Another family band, this time from Tanzania, featuring the otherworldly harmonies of aunt/niece Pendo and Leah Zawose. Their sound is percussion-driven with vocal polyphonies featuring a mix of both traditional and modern instruments. Get ready to dance to your heart’s content when the Zawose Queens close out our opening night on Friday, July 18.”

#3

Watchhouse

July 20, 3:30 pm on the South Stage and 6 pm on the Evening Main Stage

“The acclaimed duo of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, partners in life and music, began over a decade ago in their native North Carolina. They’ve been gaining acclaim and fandom ever since with their exceptional talents of arresting harmonies, impressive multi-instrumental chops, and songs that stay with you and won’t let go. Their new release, Rituals, has been on constant rotation for me since its release last month, and I can’t wait to hear the new—and old—material live opening Sunday night on our evening stage.”

#4

The Rumbaristas.

The Rumbaristas

July 19, 10 am on the East Stage and 2:50 pm on the West Stage

“I have a feeling that the Rumbaristas are going to be one of those most talked-about bands of VFMF 2025. They are truly a musical mélange of Catalan, French, and Belgian roots, producing an original mix of rumba, tarantella, cumbia, Balkan, son, and even a dose of ska thrown in for good measure. They are truly a global band without borders, and they have promised some surprise pop-up performances sprinkled throughout our lovely Jericho beach site.”

#5

TEKE::TEKE

July 18, 3 pm on the West Stage

"This quirky Montreal band is one of the most lauded bands on the current festival touring circuit—and for good reason. Prepare for a unique experience with this Japanese-led band that blends psychedelic surf rock from Japanese soundtracks of the ’60s and ’70s. Maya Kuroki is a powerhouse vocalist adding a raw intensity to the band’s delivery. The band has been described as both tight and chaotic, keeping it all together while maintaining a loose feel to the proceedings. Come for our opening at 3 pm on Friday, July 18, when TEKE::TEKE will get the party started early, with good energy and vibes."  

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