ROCHE PERCEE — Saskatchewan musicians will take to the stage during the annual Coal Creek Festival Aug. 23 at Roche Percee Park.
Gates will open and music will start at 11 a.m., with Daniel and Mavrik Espelien, who comprise the duo Porphyrios, serving as the opening act.
Jeffrey Straker, a Saskatchewan singer, songwriter and pianist, will perform at 12:30 p.m. According to his bio, Straker serves up a rootsy storytelling brand of music, and he has won provincial and Western Canadian music awards.
Straker released his ninth recording Great Big Sky in 2024 with a series of unique performances in grain elevators across Saskatchewan. He followed that up with shows throughout Canada, in Nashville, the U.K. and Ireland.
Teagan Littlechief will perform, starting at 2 p.m.
“Known for multi-octave range and commanding stage presence, Teagan has made a name for herself as one of Canada’s leading Indigenous country music musicians,” her bio states. “Her music, a blend of country rock with elements of pop and storytelling, resonates deeply with listeners and has earned her multiple accolades.”
Combining music with advocacy, she shares her story with the crowd.
“Teagan’s journey is as inspiring as her music. Growing up in White Bear First Nation, she faced challenges that shaped her into the resilient, passionate artist she is today. Overcoming addiction and domestic abuse, Teagan uses her platform to not only entertain but also to uplift and inspire others through motivational speaking.”
At 3:30 p.m., JJ Voss will perform. He was raised on a small farm in southern Saskatchewan. His music journey began at age eight when he picked up his father’s old flat top. To date Voss has released three albums and one single, garnering a Western Canada Music Association Producer of the Year nomination.
His talents have earned other recognition and landed him the opportunity to tour overseas.
Voss’ latest release, I Wanna Go Home, followed, and new music is in the works for 2025.
Award-winning Canadian country artist Karissa Hoffart will take the stage at 5 p.m. She released her first extended play, Dreamer, in 2016 and her first full-length album, Life of Mine, in 2020.
“Karissa’s passion for writing songs that inspire and motivate her audience is rooted from her past experiences that have led her to where she is today,” her bio states. “Growing up on her family ranch in the Big Muddy of Saskatchewan gave her the strong work ethic and determination to make music her career.”
Currently, she is giving back with yearly free concerts for school fundraisers to help with specific upgrades and additional mental health education and support.
Long Live the Glory will perform at 6:30 p.m. The group is comprised of Estevan’s Jesse Gibson (lead vocals and guitar), Jaxon Hicks (guitar and vocals), Harry Mooney (bass and vocals), and Cohen Jones (guitar and vocals).
“Long Live the Glory features punchy blues and rock tracks, catchy originals and crowd-pleasing classics,” their bio states.
Members have performed at festivals and events, and have opened for leading musicians.
“Since 2018 we have been dedicated to proving without a doubt that rock isn’t dead – it just moved north.”
Munro and Patrick will return to the festival for the second consecutive year, starting at 8 p.m. Raised on country music and rock ‘n’ roll, and with a professional career spanning multiple decades, Heidi Munro is well-known in the music industry, according to her bio.
“Heidi has also produced and performed the highly acclaimed, sold-out Passion of Amy Winehouse, along with headlining many successful show bands, covering multiple genres,” her bio states.
“Scott Patrick is recognized in the Canadian country music industry for his acclaimed songwriting, guitar work and trademark lead vocals for the multi-award-winning and very successful Saskatchewan born band Wyatt.”
At 9:30 p.m., Lisa Moen will perform. She brings over 15 years of musical experience to the festival. Her bio on the festival website says her musical style is new and old country, with a splash of rock and roll.
“Her passion to perform and her vocal variety/range, along with her full band of Saskatchewan’s highest-calibre musicians, makes for an entertaining, polished and professional show. Lisa has seen success with all of her original radio releases to date — all of which she has written or co-written.”
The final act will be The Steadies at 10:30 p.m. According to their bio, they mix dance-rock with funk, pop and reggae influences, creating their own sound they call “island rock.”
Frontman Earl Pereira is a three-time Juno nominee and recent Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee. Band highlights include opening for Gwen Stefani, Ziggy Marley and The Roots, and performing at the Olympics, Grey Cup and Juno Awards, while being featured on various media outlets. Their album was expected this year.
They have played over 900 shows in Canada, Asia and Europe. They were nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award and won the 2023 Saskatchewan Music Artist of the Year Award, and were voted Best Concert of the Year in Planet S Magazine in 2022.
