With the all-female super group Big Richard, the rockabilly bluegrass of Jake Vaadeland & the Sturgeon River Boys, and the traditional bluegrass of the Alum Ridge Boys and Ashlees, the 25th anniversary Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival is filled with Grammy and Juno-winning talent from a wide spectrum including old-time, bluegrass, newgrass and a dab of folk.

Big Richard (Colorado) delivers rollicking bluegrass mixed with old-time and a dose of political awareness. The band includes Grammy and Emmy-winning cellist Joy Adams alongside accomplished bandmates Bonnie Sims (mandolin), Eve Panning (fiddle), and Hazel Royer (bass, guitar).

The Juno-winning Jake Vaadeland & the Sturgeon River Boys (Saskatchewan) combine the drive of bluegrass with the energy and showmanship of rockabilly.  

From the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, The Alum Ridge Boys and Ashlee deliver an old-school sound that hearkens back to the earliest days of bluegrass.

Other artists include  the Eli West Quartet with an all-star lineup including two-time Grammy nominee Matt Flinner; Victoria newgrass unit The Unfaithful Servants with Juno-winning folk icon Shari Ulrich; Canada’s internationally touring folkgrass heroes Showman and Coole; Toronto bluegrass darlings The Barrel Boys; emerging Edmonton old-time duo The Western Thistles; potent Vancouver Isand old-time square dance band The Black Rabbit Rounders, and many more.

Check out our lineup page for full bios and videos.

Tickets now on sale.