Tag Archives: indie music festival Ontario

ONE WEEK AWAY: Gussapolooza 2025 Kicks Off Aug. 22

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, Day 3: We Are Guss!

The final day of Gussapolooza 2024 was a special day for me, personally. Before a note of music was performed, I had the opportunity to present my Perfect Your Pitch seminar to the artistpreneurs in attendance on Sunday morning. Thanks to the team behind the scenes at Gussapolooza and MTAV for making this amazing opportunity possible!

Once my seminar concluded — and after I had the chance to chat with few folks in attendance — it was time to grab my camera and get back out there for Day 3’s action-packed lineup.

Day 3 was bittersweet. It was a joy to appreciate the community that had gathered throughout the weekend in support of emerging artists. At the same time, we knew that our time together for 2024 would soon come to an end — which meant that we had to get as much out of the final day as possible.

And, as we had come to expect, the final day delivered. As the late summer sun glistened over Ontario once more, artists from across the Canadian music landscape offered us a snapshot of the creative world that awaits all those willing to explore. As the sun set and the festival’s final performances took shape, the die-hard Gusses soaked in every last minute of this year’s festival.

Then, we met at the barn for the afterparty, where festival organizer Russ Robson deftly wove his story — and the story of Gussapolooza itself — into an enthralling, five-song acoustic set before opening the stage up to an open jam that lasted into the wee hours.

Now, we leave you with a collage, featuring the many parting glances we took toward this year’s festival. We thank everyone at Gussapolooza for their warm welcome, and we look forward to supporting this amazing, three-day experience again — in 2025 and beyond!

Gussapolooza Music & Arts Festival 2024

Based in Cookstown, Ontario, Gussapolooza is “a haven for artists, creators, and entrepreneurial spirits.” This unique 3-day camp-out extravaganza celebrates Canada’s emerging music and arts scene with live performances, seminars, networking opportunities, and an array of food and beverage options. More than 50 bands from across Canada perform on multiple stages and represent diverse genres like rock, country, folk, hip-hop, electronic, pop, and more.

Within this partnership, Underground Music Collective will provide media support for Gussapolooza before, during, and after this year’s festival — including live updates from the festival, and a recap photo gallery after its conclusion. In addition, UMC Founder Gerard Longo will present Perfect Your Pitch: Building Authentic Connections as an Independent Artist during the festival’s seminar portion, Sunday, September 15 at 11 a.m.

Tickets and camping passes to Gussapolooza 2024 are available now. Get yours below, and stay tuned here for updates!