Stories

Home of The Tragically Hip, Miss Emily, The Glorious Sons, and more, the city boasts a number of venues that have fostered musical talent and launched careers. Explore these stories through the Creative Kingston music walking tours. 
Eight things you didn’t know about the Kingston music scene
Visit Kingston
We’ve highlighted five Kingston bands and artists who recently had their videos showcased at KCFF.
5 Kingston musical artists you need to check out
Visit Kingston
Live music in Kingston

Your guide to patios, pubs, breweries, and bars with live music in Kingston

Kingston’s music scene is growing, and we’ve got plenty of patios, pubs, bars, and breweries with live music …

Formed in Kingston in 2016, but originally from southern and eastern Ontario, Les Soliloques are at home in the Limestone City, a musical haven that fuels their creative spirit.
On stage with Les Soliloques
Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé
Musiikki Cafe
Live music in Kingston this summer
Emily Coppella
“As we come out of the pandemic, it’s really great to see the support that the community continues to provide for local musicians.
the winter in canada: celebrating the return of live music at Spring Reverb
Andrea Gunn
Meet local Kingston band, The Wilderness.
The Wilderness set to take the stage at Spring Reverb
Emily Coppella
Kingston indie music favourites showcase their new album at Spring Reverb.
The return of Forty Seven Teeth
Andrea Gunn
Emily Fennell, known as Miss Emily on stage, has now garnered national recognition by being nominated for blues album of the year at the 2022 Juno Awards—
Miss Emily’s journey to the Junos
Emily Coppella
It’s really fitting that Kingston band The Glorious Sons are nominated for Group of the Year at the 2021 JUNO Awards. The band has been actively connecting with their fans over the past year, getting them through a year without live concerts by releasing recordings of their last live shows.
Staying connected: The Glorious Sons
Andrea Gunn
Sarah Harmer’s album “Are You Gone” is one of five nominees for the 2021 JUNO Award for Alternative Adult Album of the Year. We interviewed her for an inside look at the meaning behind her lyrics and her connection to Kingston.
Sarah Harmer: Looking back and stepping up
Andrea Gunn
Their first JUNO award – in 1990 – was for “most promising group of the year.” And The Tragically Hip certainly lived up to their promise. They went on to win 14 more JUNOs and were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
The Tragically Hip receive 2021 JUNO Humanitarian Award
Andrea Gunn
Jive Ass Slippers Band
9 Online Concerts to Catch This July and August (2020)
Jordan Whitehouse
“Nothing but good memories”: Jim Cuddy and Blue Rodeo on Kingston
“Nothing but good memories”: Jim Cuddy and Blue Rodeo on Kingston
Jordan Whitehouse
Photo © Adam Correia
All of the Tragically Hip’s Albums: Ranked
Nick Pearce
Kingston Live, Episode 12: A Roundup
Kingston Live, Episode 12: A Roundup
Tianna Edwards
12 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston December 2019
12 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston December 2019
Jordan Whitehouse
Kingston Live Rundown: Episode 11
Kingston Live Rundown: Episode 11
Tianna Edwards
Kingston's music scene is rocking this November with top headlines, including Arkells, City and Colour, Matt Mays, and Measha Brueggergosman.
13 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston November 2019
Jordan Whitehouse
Kingston Live, Episode 10: A Summary
Kingston Live, Episode 10: A Summary
Tianna Edwards
12 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston October 2019
12 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston October 2019
Jordan Whitehouse
YGK Emerging Musicians Showcase
YGK Emerging Musicians Showcase
Visit Kingston
Kingston Live, Episode 9: A Summary
Kingston Live, Episode 9: A Summary
Tianna Edwards
11 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston September 2019
11 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston September 2019
Jordan Whitehouse
KINGSTON LIVE, EPISODE 8: A SUMMARY
KINGSTON LIVE, EPISODE 8: A SUMMARY
Tianna Edwards
10 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston August 2019
10 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston August 2019
Jordan Whitehouse
Kingston Live, Episode 7: A Summary
Kingston Live, Episode 7: A Summary
Tianna Edwards
A guide to beers and bands in the Limestone City
A guide to beers and bands in the Limestone City
Nick Pearce
Enrights talk latest album and how Kingston is Canada’s music hub
Enrights talk latest album and how Kingston is Canada’s music hub
Nick Pearce
10 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston July 2019
10 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston July 2019
Jordan Whitehouse
Kingston Live, Episode 6: A Summary
Kingston Live, Episode 6: A Summary
Tianna Edwards
12 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston June 2019
12 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston June 2019
Jordan Whitehouse
12 Festivals to Hit in Kingston This August, Wolfe Island Music Festival
Kingston Live Podcast: 2019 Summer Music Festival Roundup
Rob Howard
5 Local Music Festivals That Define Kingston
5 Local Music Festivals That Define Kingston
Nick Pearce
Kingston Live, Episode 5: A Summary
Kingston Live, Episode 5: A Summary
Tianna Edwards
Lowest Of The Low
10 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston This May
Jordan Whitehouse
Kingston Live, Episode 4: A Summary
Kingston Live, Episode 4: A Summary
Tianna Edwards
Together at Home: The Makers of Kingston, Week 2
Together at Home: The Makers of Kingston, Week 2
Visit Kingston
Student Acts Chip into Kingston’s Music Scene
Student Acts Chip into Kingston’s Music Scene
Nick Pearce
Kasador ban
Together at Home: The Makers of Kingston, Week 1
Visit Kingston
Kingston Live, Episode 3: A Summary
Kingston Live, Episode 3: A Summary
Tianna Edwards
Kingston’s Can't-Miss Live Acts: Ranked
Kingston’s Can’t-Miss Live Acts: Ranked
Nick Pearce
Kingston's Live: A Podcast Dedicated to YGK's Live Music Scene
Kingston’s Live: A Podcast Dedicated to YGK’s Live Music Scene
Tianna Edwards
Breakwater Park, Gord Downie Pier
The Locales Behind Kingston’s Iconic Music Scene
Nick Pearce
Kingston’s up-and-comers and hidden gems talk live shows and community.
Canadian music’s next generation finds a home
Nick Pearce
The Limestone Roots of Canadian Music
The Limestone Roots of Canadian Music
Nick Pearce
Artist performs at Tir Nan Og
Kingston’s Finest, Ranked
Nick Pearce
Kingston Live Music
Kingston’s up-and-coming artists hit downtown
Nick Pearce
Frank Turner
13 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston This September
Jordan Whitehouse
9 Can’t-Miss Concerts This August in Kingston
9 Can’t-Miss Concerts This August in Kingston
Jordan Whitehouse
Deuz Trois
10 Kingston Concerts You Can’t Miss This July
Jordan Whitehouse
Craig Cardiff at Musiikki
11 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston this June 2018
Jordan Whitehouse
Take your pick this month from local indie up-and-comers like Paper Ladies, chart-toppers like Theory of a Deadman and one of the world’s great Bach pianists, Angela Hewitt.
12 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston this May
Jordan Whitehouse
Top 12 Performances Happening in Kingston this Winter
Top 12 Performances Happening in Kingston this Winter
Tianna Edwards
10 Can’t-miss Concerts in Kingston This September
10 Can’t-miss Concerts in Kingston This September
Jordan Whitehouse
11 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston This August, Missy Bauman
11 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston This August
Jordan Whitehouse
12 Festivals to Hit in Kingston This August, Wolfe Island Music Festival
12 Festivals to Hit in Kingston This August
Jordan Whitehouse
10 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston This July
10 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston This July 2017
Jordan Whitehouse
15 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston This May
15 Can’t-Miss Concerts in Kingston This May
Jordan Whitehouse
‘LIVE in Kingston’: Downtown Music Scene Hits the Silver Screen
‘LIVE in Kingston’: Downtown Music Scene Hits the Silver Screen
Jordan Whitehouse