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Gussapolooza Reveals Full 2026 Lineup

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

Gussapolooza Music & Arts Festival returns to the Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds in Cookstown, Ontario on August 21–23, 2026 for its fifth annual edition. What started as a backyard gathering has grown, year after year, into one of Southern Ontario’s most distinctive independent music weekends — three days of live music, original art, and community built entirely from the ground up.

Built by musicians, for musicians — and the community that keeps showing up for them. 48 acres of open grounds, three stages, and a lineup drawn entirely from the independent Canadian music scene.

2026 Lineup

Headlining Saturday night is Feral Minks — the Kitchener rock outfit who have been building serious momentum across the Canadian independent scene. Produced by Jay Emmons of The Glorious Sons, their breakout single “Matador” cracked the Top 25 on the Canadian Active Rock charts, and the band earned HTZ FM’s Rock Search title in 2024, joining a lineage that includes Finger 11, The Trews, and The Glorious Sons. Multi-year Gussapolooza alumni and the festival’s 2025 Band of the Year, the Feral Minks return to close out Saturday night and receive a gold vinyl award on stage.

Also on the 2026 bill: Propter Hawk — the Toronto five-piece fronted by Malorie Jo Blake, whose horn-drenched rock and roll has earned features in the Toronto Star and placement on Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada; Taming Sari, the bilingual Ontario-Atlantic rock outfit whose single “Crazy” hit 50,000 Spotify streams and 50,000 YouTube views within weeks of release; HARKNESS, Toronto’s psych-pop solo artist known for a commanding live presence and building a loyal following across Canada and beyond; Cabin Fever, the southwestern Ontario folk/roots trio whose single “Devil Is A Friend” was featured on Season 3 of “The Trades” on CraveTV, and whose music has landed on CBC’s Alt Country and Canadian Country playlists and drawn coverage from outlets in the UK and New Zealand. Returning to the Gussapolooza stage: The Manic Boys and Girls Club — the Toronto alt-pop/rock sibling duo whose EP was produced by Gavin Brown, the award-winning producer behind Billy Talent, Metric, and The Glorious Sons.

The full 40+ artist lineup spans rock, country, folk, and alternative, and includes Tony Rust & the Mudhorses, The Thick, Feura, Suzi Kory, Dumb Crush, Kill/Death Radio!, Black Paint, Coco Rose, The Meringues, Joanna Bronson, The Connors Brothers, and many more. Full lineup and schedule at gussapolooza.com.

About the Festival

Gussapolooza is an all-ages, three-day independent music and arts festival rooted in community, creativity, and connection. Since 2022, it has created a gathering space where independent and emerging Canadian artists play to the families, music lovers, and loyal regulars who have made this weekend part of their summer.

Programming spans three music stages — the Main Stage, Barn Stage, and Side Stage — alongside a dedicated Kids Zone, Health & Wellness Zone, Vendor Village, Creator’s Convention (an outdoor podcast and media activation space), and Artist Alley.

New in 2026: WonderGround, an immersive art zone featuring large-scale installations.

A Platform for Independent Canadian Music

At a time when independent artists face shrinking venue circuits and consolidating festival rosters, Gussapolooza represents something built differently. The festival was started by a musician who wanted to create a stage worth playing — and has grown entirely on word of mouth, community investment, and a commitment to keeping the lineup independent.

For many artists on the 2026 bill, Gussapolooza is one of their largest stages of the year — and the crowd that fills those grounds came specifically to find them.

Festival at a Glance

Dates: August 21–23, 2026
Location: Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds, Cookstown, Ontario
Format: All-ages, three-day outdoor music & arts festival with camping
Stages: Main Stage, Barn Stage, Side Stage
New in 2026: WonderGround — immersive art zone
Tickets: Available at gussapolooza.com

Vote Now to Shape This Year’s Gussapolooza Lineup!

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

While we’re on the topic of exciting, community-based August music festivals, we’ll also be taking our third trip up to Ontario for Gussapolooza, the three-day extravaganza featuring some of the best up-and-coming talent from across Canada — and the globe!

Our friends up there have received so many submissions this year that they need a little bit of help sorting through them. That’s where you come in!

Introducing Sound Check, a chance to discover new artists and help shape the Gussapolooza 2026 lineup. Every few days, they will be unveiling a new genre category with a fresh batch of artists from around the world. Your job is to head over here, listen, and vote for the artists that you want to see perform at Gussapolooza. The artists with the most fan support move forward in the selection process.

Want your vote to go even further? You can access 3x voting power by purchasing a Gussapolooza Insider Pass. The Insider Pass costs only $25 CAD, lasts throughout the 2026 Gussapolooza season, and includes even more perks, including giveaways, exclusives, and more.

It’s all in the name of creativity and community, as Gussapolooza comes our way August 21-23 at the Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds in Cookstown, Ontario. Get those tickets here!

ONE WEEK AWAY: Gussapolooza 2025 Kicks Off Aug. 22

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

The countdown is on! In just seven days, the Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds will come alive with the sound of guitars, drums, and thousands of happy festivalgoers as Gussapolooza Music and Arts Festival kicks off August 22–24.

This year’s lineup features powerhouse performances from Bleeker and Kasador, plus local Alliston fan favourite Grant Boyer, alongside dozens of emerging artists ready to make their mark. Add industry workshops, camping under the stars, mouthwatering food trucks, and activities for the whole family — and you’ve got one unforgettable weekend.

Festival Director Valerie Robson says, “Gussapolooza is where music and community come together. The energy is electric, the connections are real, and the vibe is absolutely unmatched. Whether you’re here to discover new talent, support your friends, or just soak up the atmosphere, you’ll leave feeling like part of the family.”

Tickets are going fast, so grab yours now and be part of one of Ontario’s most unique summer weekends.

Gussapolooza Announces Lineup Featuring Bleeker & Grant Boyer

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

The Gussapolooza Music and Arts Festival is back—and the official 2025 lineup has just been announced!

Taking place August 22–24, 2025 in vibrant Cookstown, Ontario, this year’s festival features special guests Bleeker and Grant Boyer, alongside returning Gussapolooza award winners Manic Boys and Girls Club, Harley Olivia, and Cudbear. They’ll be joined by an eclectic lineup of emerging artists from across the country for a weekend packed with creativity, energy, and inspiration.

More than a music festival, Gussapolooza is a family-friendly celebration of community, creativity, and connection. Guests can explore immersive experiences like the Kids Zone, a tranquil Health & Wellness Zone, interactive art installations, local artisan vendors, and more—offering something for everyone.

Festivalgoers can also enjoy a full weekend stay with a variety of camping options, including RV power sites, designated family camping, and access to onsite showers—ensuring a fun and convenient festival experience for all.

“We’re beyond excited to welcome Bleeker, Grant Boyer and so many incredible artists to Cookstown this summer,” said Russell Robson, Founder and Organizer of Gussapolooza. “Gussapolooza has always been about more than music—it’s a community-driven, family-friendly celebration where people of all ages can come together, connect, and be inspired by the arts. We can’t wait to share this experience with everyone again in 2025.”

Gussapolooza is also proud to announce a meaningful new partnership with Stevenson Memorial Hospital. A portion of all ticket sales will go directly toward funding the hospital’s new state-of-the-art facility, strengthening access to healthcare in the surrounding community.

Tickets are now on sale and the full artist lineup is available at www.gussapolooza.com. While there, you’ll find information on how to get involved as a volunteer, vendor, or member of the media.

Gussapolooza 2025 Early Bird Tickets Now Available!

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

Gussapolooza Music & Arts Festival is back for 2025, and early bird tickets are officially on sale!

As one of Canada’s most exciting celebrations of music, art, and community, Gussapolooza invites festivalgoers to secure their spots now and experience an unforgettable weekend filled with live performances, interactive workshops, and creative connections.

Set in a welcoming, family-friendly environment, Gussapolooza is more than just a festival—it’s a movement that brings together artists, musicians, and creators of all kinds. Attendees can expect an eclectic mix of talented performers, immersive art installations, and hands-on activities designed to inspire and engage people of all ages. Whether you’re a die-hard music lover, an aspiring artist, or someone looking for a weekend of fun and discovery, Gussapolooza has something for everyone.

Early bird tickets are available for a limited time and are limited to the first 100 purchasers. These tickets include free tent camping, making it an even better deal for festivalgoers, offering festival fans the best value for their 2025 experience. With a growing lineup of performers and exciting new additions to the festival, now is the perfect time to lock in tickets before prices go up!

Join us for a weekend of music, art, and community at Gussapolooza 2025, taking place from August 22-24!

For ticket purchases and more information, visit www.gussapolooza.com.

Gussapolooza, Day 2: A Full Day in the Sun

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

The weather gods continued to favor Gussapolooza all weekend long. While the morning started off chilly by my standards — since moving to Nashville, I think anything below 70 degrees Fahrenheit is on the cool side — I woke up last Saturday morning to a beautiful day, without even the thought of a cloud in the sky.

There was a full day’s worth of music waiting to greet us across three different stages, and a series of seminars kicking off the day inside the MTAV Barn stage. After Friday provided us with a brilliant primer coat, we were prepared to take in the full Gussapolooza experience in all of its glory.

The beautiful weather, the opportunities to connect, and another diverse, talented lineup made Day 2 into a can’t-miss experience. Here, we got to appreciate the power of an idea, as we observed how a small festival that began in Russ Robson’s backyard has turned into a three-day celebration of creativity that brings people out in droves — not just from the surrounding area, but from across North America and beyond.

David July (IG | Spotify)