2025 Roots North Music Festival April 24th - 27th

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Royal Wood has established himself as a true musical talent, with his last full-length studio album What Tomorrow Brings garnering an "up for consideration" at 2024’s GRAMMY Awards for BEST FOLK ALBUM. Since being named “Songwriter of the Year” by iTunes (2010), Wood has continued to evolve and hone his musical craft – maintaining an unmistakable identity while uncovering and reinventing his sound. Wood has two albums that have debuted in the Top 30, multiple JUNO nominations, five-time Canadian Folk Music Award-nominee, and a #1 added song at Hot AC radio. His songs have been heard on high profile sync placements like Grey’s Anatomy, and Private Practice.

Jully Black is a true Canadian Icon. Named as one of ‘The 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever’, (CBC Music) she has been dubbed ‘Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul’ by fans and industry leaders alike. As a platinum selling recording artist, her music career has yielded multiple singles reaching the Top 10 pop, R&B and dance music charts. She has taken home Juno and Gemini Awards, earned innumerable industry accolades, was hand selected to sing for the Queen of England and inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2021 (PILLARS OF EXCELLENCE - Arts & Entertainment). With her powerhouse vocals, hilarious personality and love of people, Jully Black truly is everyone, and unlike anyone.

Twenty-year-old Nicolina has had a whirlwind few years. When the Canadian teen began posting TikTok videos from her suburban bedroom in 2020, she had no idea she would eventually find herself on the international stage on 2022’s American Idol. But when you hear her sing – and when audiences all over the world have experienced her almost preternatural talent – the journey feels almost inevitable. It’s those breathtaking high notes, rich tone, and controlled range. Nicolina’s talent is undeniable, and the sheer force and reality of her voice have made her a fan favourite and artist to watch as she gets ready to release new music.

Growing up in Toronto’s suburbs, the eldest of three sisters, Nicolina was surrounded by music, and once she started singing as a toddler, she never stopped. An early grade school experience of singing in front of a crowd and eliciting big emotions from her teachers and faculty became a kind of guidepost for her. People react – they have always reacted – when she sings, and connecting with audiences on such a visceral, emotional level is at the heart of everything she does.

 A genre-bending maverick whose impressive ability to write, arrange, and perform multiple instruments, all while emanating such vocal power, Gracie re-envisions 21st century soul with an edgy twist. The Toronto singer-songwriter confidently and charismatically accentuates her bold neo-soul delivery with pop ambition and R&B energy.

Gracie Ella uses all of her gifts to make music that deeply resonates with people. Her songs defy easy categorization and her musicianship has drawn amazement from major players including Sting, James Fauntleroy and Oak Felder.

  James Gray is a contemporary version of an old-school traveling folk singer. In the past decade, Gray has toured Canada, Europe and Australia, seeing the world and sharing his beloved songs along the way.

A unique finger style guitarist, with a vocal that is hauntingly beautiful, Gray, often accompanied by a rather droll, humorous stage patter, immerses himself in each and every song with a soulfulness and attack that is infectious and disarming. With a broad grin and good natured chuckle, Gray will often smile into the microphone and state matter of factly that he wants you to remember who he is.