14th Annual Wapiti Music Festival

Wapiti is taking over the Annex Park this August 7-8! Here are some fun facts about this festival that has become such a Fernie staple.

The name Wapiti comes from the Cree language and refers to the majestic animals known in English as elk. These powerful beings are the namesakes of the Elk River, which flows beside the land where the Wapiti Music Festival takes place. 

By honouring the name Wapiti, the Wapiti Music Festival Society acknowledges the deep and enduring knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples who have long had relationships with this land and its beings. They are grateful to gather on these territories and aim to do so with respect, humility, and celebration. Wapiti was originally going to be called the Fernie Mountain Music Festival!

Wapiti Music Festival has always been, and will always be, 100% Canadian! From the incredible lineup of Canadian artists to local vendors, brewers, and makers, they are committed to celebrating and showcasing the best our country has to offer.

Wapiti Music Festival Society gives back to the arts and music scene in Fernie.  

In 2024 Wapiti Music Festival donated $10,000 to the Fernie Heritage Trust Society. This donation helped support the music and sound infrastructure as part of their mission to transform the historic Knox United Church building into a vibrant community performing arts space.

The festival has been held in the Annex Park every year except for 2022, when it was held in James White Park due to extensive work being done to upgrade the dike. 

Food and refreshments are as much as a highlight as the music! This year, food vendors include Buff’s Smokin’ BBQ, Siimply Siam Thai, Graffito Pizza, Flippin’ Crepes, Mama’s Dumplings, Delicious Greek, Happy Cow, Real Fruit Ice Cream, Ding Dong Donuts, and Over the Top Canteen. 

Wapiti also highlights a curated collection of talented Art Vendors, local and Canadian makers including handmade jewelry, artwork, clothing, home goods, ceramics, and more. 

Blue Moon Marquee is a Juno Award winning band, while The Blue Stones have been nominated for multiple Juno Awards. Cat Clyde, who plays Saturday evening, completed a US and European tour of her new album, Mud Blood Bone prior to performing at Wapiti, and Teke::Teke have been longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize twice!

The lineup for its inaugural year included Elliott Brood (who also played in 2018 and 2023!). The only band to play more is Fernie’s own Shred Kelly who played at an impressive five Wapiti festivals!

Fernie is a very bikeable community, so it’s no surprise that Wapiti has a space dedicated for bikes! Bring your own lock, consider taking a headlamp for your trip home / to your accommodation, and enjoy what has honestly become part of the Wapiti experience! 

Things to remember when attending Wapiti this year:

• Ride your bike and bring a bike lock.
• Don’t forget your sunscreen, bug spray and water bottles.
• Think cashless!
• Please do not bring pets, glass or non-factory sealed beverages.
• Bring your Wapiti beer or wine cup! There are no free cups this year. Reusable, recyclable cups are available for $2.
• Bring camp chairs, blankets and umbrellas to set up in designated areas.

This Year's Wapiti Artist
Alexandra Kozak is an artist and designer based in Fernie, BC. Inspired by fairytales & flower power, she paints the essence of nature with a psychedelic sensibility. Her work combines a distinct colour palette with whimsical design, transforming familiar landscapes and wildlife into visual narratives. She earned a Bachelors degree in Design with honours from the Alberta University of the Arts, with a focus on illustration and animation. She is proud to contribute to the Arts in Fernie as the Community Arts & Marketing Coordinator at the Fernie Arts Station. She exhibits at regional galleries including the Fernie Arts Co-op.

2026 LINE-UP

The Blue Stones
The Blue Stones — vocalist and guitarist Tarek Jafar and drummer Justin Tessier — formed during their university days, inspired by the freedom of creating music without boundaries. What started with playing small-town bars has grown into headlining iconic venues like The Troubadour in Los Angeles, Electric Ballroom in London, and The Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. Along the way, the band has amassed over 300 million streams, earned four JUNO nominations, and scored major radio success with songs like “Shakin’ Off the Rust,” which topped rock charts in Canada.

Cat Clyde 
Cat Clyde’s latest album Mud Blood Bone captures a raw, powerful moment of personal evolution. Blending blues, folk, and rockabilly grit with vulnerable songwriting, Clyde delivers a sound that feels both untamed and deeply human. From busking as a teenager to releasing multiple full-length albums, Clyde has built her career on authenticity and connection. 

TEKE::TEKE
TEKE::TEKE is a Montreal-based Japanese psychrock group featuring traditional Japanese instruments and flute, alongside raging guitars, sampling, and a pulsing rhythm section. TEKE::TEKE creates a sound reminiscent of 1960’s and 70’s era psychedelic Japanese soundtracks, with an experimental approach and a frenetic, modern twist.

Jeremie Albino
Blending gritty country storytelling with old-school R&B, early rock ’n’ roll energy, and southern soul, Jeremie Albino has built a sound that feels both timeless and raw. His electrifying live shows have helped grow his audience from street corners to packed venues across Canada and the U.S. His latest album,
Our Time In The Sun, showcases his growth as both a performer and songwriter.

Field Guide
Field Guide, the project of Winnipeg’s Dylan MacDonald, creates dreamy, intimate soundscapes driven by soft vocals and thoughtful songwriting. Blending lo-fi textures with rich emotion, his music has earned a distinct and recognizable sound. His upcoming album Rootin for Ya explores both solo creation and
collaborative energy.

Blue Moon
Marquee Blue Moon Marquee is a genre-bending duo blending blues, jazz, swing, folk, and Indigenous soul into a sound that’s entirely their own. Led by A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette
(vocals/bass/drums), the pair has spent years touring across North America and Europe, building a reputation for their raw musicianship and electrifying live shows. Their JUNO Awardwinning album Scream, Holler & Howl and follow-up New Orleans Sessions have earned critical acclaim, chart success, and multiple
awards across Canada and beyond.

Caleb Hart and Friends
Caleb Hart is a dynamic performer known for his powerful live shows and Caribbean roots. Raised in
Tobago, he brings authentic, high-energy vibes to every stage. A prolific artist, his 2024 album Emancipation climbed to #1 on the CKUA charts and earned international recognition. Blending reggae, soul, and global influences, Hart creates uplifting, heartfelt music that connects deeply with audiences.

Sadé Awele
Sadé Awele is a Nigerianborn artist blending R&B, afropop, and afrosoul with rich cultural influences.
Drawing inspiration from legends like Stevie Wonder and Lauryn Hill, her sound fuses bold storytelling with Afro-rooted rhythms. A rising force, she’s earned awards, international recognition, and chart success with her EP Intuition. With captivating performances and a growing global presence, Sadé Awele is quickly making her mark as one of Canada’s standout emerging soul artists.

Mount Rushka
Hailing from Fernie, BC, Mount Rushka blends classic rock energy with grunge vocals and smooth
harmonies. Their album Weathervane earned recognition from Classic Rock Magazine. Known for their powerful live sound, they’ve played major venues and shared stages with The Sheepdogs, Shred Kelly, and One Bad Son.

Ethan Askey & the Elevators
Ethan Askey is a Rocky Mountain-based artist blending rock, rhythm & blues, and modern blues with global influences. His debut album Walk When You Wanna Run earned international radio play. Now leading Ethan Askey & the Elevators, he delivers electrifying, story-driven performances full of roots, groove, and soul.

DJ CONA
Are you a Conie? DJ Cona is a Fernie-based local legend with over 25 years of DJ experience, known for reading the crowd and keeping dance floors moving. DJ Cona has been Wapiti's resident DJ since 2022.

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY AUGUST 7
DOORS OPEN 5:30PM
6:45pm Mount Rushka
7:45pm DJ Cona
8:15pm Jeremie Albino
9:15pm DJ Cona
9:45pm TEKE::TEKE

SATURDAY AUGUST 8
DOORS OPEN NOON
12:30pm Ethan Askey & The Elevators
2:00pm Field Guide
3:30pm Sadé Awele
5:00pm Caleb Hart & Friends
6:00pm DJ Cona
6:30pm Cat Clyde
7:30pm DJ Cona
8:00pm Blue Moon Marquee
9:00pm DJ Cona
9:45pm The Blue Stones