Inuk musician Elisapie headlines the Up Here festival in downtown Sudbury Aug. 15-17.
The festival announced its second wave of musicians earlier this week.
“We warned you more was coming,” said a press release. “Up Here 11 has a second wave of artists, and it’s equal parts mind-melt and mosh pit. From psych-punk and electronic body music to cinematic folk and cello-fuelled chaos, we’re tossing a few more elements into the test tube and watching what smokes, sparks, and sticks to the ceiling.
“Up Here 11 comes to downtown Sudbury Aug. 15–17, 2025, and we guarantee you won’t experience the same moment twice, even though you’ll want to.”
Regarding Elisapie, “we can barely contain our excitement over this one,” the press release said.
“With her new album Inuktitut—a collection of 10 classic rock and pop songs from the 1960s to the 1990s, reimagined in her mother tongue — just earned her the 2025 Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year.
“Since winning her first Juno in 2005 with her band Taima, Elisapie’s body of work has been celebrated for its emotional depth and cultural resonance.
“The multitalented and multidimensional Inuk musician, broadcaster, documentary filmmaker, activist, and actress is currently on a globe-spanning tour from New York to Osaka before landing in Sudbury. Presented in partnership with our friends at La Slague, Elisapie is Sudbury’s don’t-miss artist of the summer.”
The festival also announced a number of other performers, including the OBGMs.
“Need your face melted? The OBGMs are here to do exactly that,” the press release said. “Toronto’s punk-rock juggernauts slam punk and hip-hop together so hard you forget to breathe. From Afropunk to Pitchfork praise, they’ve become one of Canada’s most exciting musical exports.”
Then there’s Miesha and the Spanks, Calgary’s riff-laden riot-grrrl revival. Fronted by Miesha Louie, a mixed-Secwépemc artist, the band brings blazing Indigenous femme power to the stage.
“Or maybe something gentler?” the press release said. “Enter Bells Larsen, a rising voice in Canada’s indie scene whose queer folk-pop ballads burn slow and warm like a Ramsey Lake sunrise. After facing tour cancellations in the U.S. due to discriminatory trans policies, we’re proud to welcome him to a stage where every voice matters.
The festival continues the experiments with Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist and sonic shapeshifter Ouri, who blends classical cello, industrial edge, and deconstructed electronics into something soft but gut-punching.
“If you’re into full-blown musical chaos with tentacles in every direction, get ready for Octopoulpe,” said the festival. “Born in France, forged in Seoul’s underground scene, and now based in Mexico, this shirtless math-punk controls a full AV universe with his drum kit alone.” Right behind him, BÖ.SENBERG dials into a stripped-back trance with nothing but a drum kit and a pile of effects pedals; it’s Berlin’s industrial heartbeat.
“Wouldn’t you know, there’s more!” said the festival. “Belly Hatcher throws techno, punk, and theatre into a blender. And Torontonian via Ottawa via Mattawa via US of A, Akeem Oh delivers lush, emotional indie-pop straight out of your daydreams. Allô Fantôme serves up French-fused glam rock melodrama, fresh off being named a Révélation Radio-Canada 2025 and proudly presented by our pals at Ici Radio-Canada.”
Sudbury’s got its own experiments, too. Will Powers returns with psych-punk anthems, while TRIN delivers glitter-drenched art-pop rock.
Get your tickets and weekend passes at uphere.com/passes.