June 18, 2026 Issue 1-002 (Thursday Publication)
June 11, 2026 Issue 1-001 (Thursday Publication)
Read Issue 1-002 Here (Email distribution available) We apologize for any formatting issues. The .pdf version is the best version for that.
IThe Scene From Backstage. Here’s What Caught Our Attention This Week. June 18, 2026 Issue 1-002
Editor: The Scene is a curated look at independent rock, blues, roots, and cause-driven music happenings across Canada, the USA, and Mexico, and beyond — artist news, festivals, collaborations, releases, and opportunities that caught our attention. Not comprehensive. Just thoughtfully curated. As seen through our eyes. Your contributions are most welcome.
Featured Performers…What Caught Our Attention This Week…Adding an update for the Otto Junior Band from Norway, our featured performer for last week. Their set at Springing the Blues Festival in Florida was posted on YouTube on Monday. See and listen to it on YouTube here.
#
This Week’s Rising Star Featured Performer is 17 year old Canadian emerging blue rock star, Logan Staley of Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada. Logan and his band The River Benders have just released their first album, Trouble I’m In, produced by blues rock star Popa Chubby Later this summer Logan and his band have earned a featured spot at the prestigious Kitchener Blues Festival having won a lead in the Battle of the Bands competition. Read more here
#
What’s New with another Rising Star…Marcus Trummer of Calgary, Canada? Rumors are he’s working on new music. Here’s his debut single video on YouTube from a year ago.
#
Morgan Luna…Our Featured Video for this week. That means we liked it. View it Here on YouTube. Yes the question still remains. Is he/she real or is this A.I. music. The debate continues. Meanwhile the listeners’ totals continue to grow on YouTube and Spotify and elsewhere.
#
Samantha Fish. Blues rock star as in all caps STAR. Lead guitar and vocals. She starts her European tour on June 19 to coincide with the release of her first live album Paper Dolls. Her cover of MC5’s “Kick Out The Jams” on the album is drawing a lot of attention. View it on YouTube Here. (Ed. Note. Perfect song for The Rockin’ Unity Fest in Mexico. A niche Fest that actually tells Performers, “your sets have to be 80 per cent uptempo…can you live with that”? A Mexico fiesta thing…they love all music) Read more about Samantha Fish and check out some great photos of Samantha in this Forbes story here
#
🌍 Artists Spotlight
🇨🇦 Featured Canadian Performer
- Matt Andersen – “Live at Sonic Temple” (Acoustic Session)
- The Vibe: Canada’s powerhouse blues-soul giant delivers an absolute clinic in acoustic roots music. This stripped-down performance showcases his unmatched vocal grit, foot-stomping rhythm, and blistering acoustic lead work.
- Link: Watch on YouTube
🌍 Featured International Performer
- Dom Martin – “Belfast Blues” (Live Session from Northern Ireland)
- The Vibe: Hailing from Belfast, this multi-award-winning rising star is taking the European roots scene by storm. This performance features a spellbinding, gritty, and fiercely passionate style of acoustic blues-rock guitar work heavily influenced by Rory Gallagher.
- Link: Watch on YouTube
🕊️ Event Highlight Preview: “An Evening Honouring Steve Earle” (Jambands.com Source)
- The Cause: This special festival-eve benefit concert raises funds for Sweetwater Spectrum, a non-profit organization providing innovative, long-term housing solutions for adults with autism and developmental disabilities.
Broadway World - The Event & Lineup: Dubbed “An Evening Honouring Steve Earle,” this star-studded event is a massive milestone celebration ahead of San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. Buddy Miller serves as the musical director for a jaw-dropping supergroup lineup including Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Hot Tuna, Molly Tuttle, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, and Elizabeth Cook.
- Date & Location: Thursday, October 1, 2026 | The Masonic, San Francisco, CA.
Via Jambands.com
🗓️ “What’s Coming Up” The 2 Week Look Ahead
‘Keep your eyes on the road! Your hands upon the wheel”… Here are the notable roots, country-rock, blues, and americana festivals kicking off across the board over the next 14 days:
- W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival (Henderson, KY, USA)
- Laurel Cove Music Festival (Pineville, KY, USA)
- Rancho La Puerta Folk Festival (Tecate, Baja California, Mexico)
- Vancouver International Jazz Festival (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
🕊️ Benefit & Cause-Driven Events (Music Uniting Us, Music Doing Good)
- “Roots & Rhythms” Eco-Benefit Gala (Cincinnati, OH, USA)
- The Cause: A highly successful environmental community fundraiser produced in tandem with the Green Umbrella regional sustainability initiative to directly fund local climate action and urban green spaces.
- Performers Announced: Five-piece bluegrass/country-blues hybrid Ma Crow and Co., raw acoustic blues storyteller Pork City Slim, and high-energy alt-country/outlaw outfit Get Down River.
- Date & Location: Running late summer 2026 | Urban Artifact, Cincinnati, OH.
- Link:
- Harvest Music Festival Community Fund (Fredericton, NB, Canada)
- The Cause: Operating structurally as a registered non-profit charity, this massive annual gathering channels its operational proceeds directly into year-round local music education grants, community musical outreach, and regional instrument donation drives.
- Performers/Lineup Context: A major multiday celebration featuring a world-class mix of international roots, funk, and blues-rock artists performing alongside premier Canadian touring acts.
- Dates & Location: September 15–20, 2026 | Historic Downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.
⏳ More What’s Coming Up: The 2-Week Look Ahead…The Extended List, with links. 🇺🇸 USA: Major Blues & Roots Festivals
- W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival (Henderson, KY)
- Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI)
- Bentonia Blues Festival (Bentonia, MS)
- Dates: June 18–20, 2026
- Vibe: Deep roots. Held at the legendary Blue Front Cafe, this festival preserves the haunting “Bentonia” style of country blues. [1]
- Telluride Bluegrass Festival (Telluride, CO)
- Dates: June 18–21, 2026
- Vibe: The premier “Bluestock” event. A bucket-list festival for bluegrass and roots music lovers, set in a stunning box canyon in the Rockies. [1]
- BAM Fest (Birthplace of American Music) (Clarksdale, MS)
- Dates: June 19–21, 2026
- Vibe: A tribute to the Delta Blues and the genres it spawned, held in the heart of the Delta. [1]
- Blues From The Top Music Festival (Winter Park, CO)
- Fountain Blues & Brews Festival (San Jose, CA)
- Hampton Jazz Festival (Hampton, VA)
- Dates: June 26–28, 2026
- Vibe: A historic festival (established 1968) that bridges jazz, blues, soul, and R&B. [1]
🇨🇦 Canada: Blues, Jazz & Bluegrass
- South By South East International Festival (Toronto, ON)
- Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival (Lake Cowichan, BC)
- Festival Blues et Jazz de Saguenay (Chicoutimi, QC)
- FestiVoix de Trois-Rivières (Trois-Rivières, QC)
- Dates: June 26 (Day 2)
- Vibe: A major music festival with a diverse lineup. While multi-genre, it often books strong roots/blues acts for its diverse stages. [1]
- TD Victoria International JazzFest (Victoria, BC)
- Dates: Closing June 28, 2026
- Highlight: Features “The Rumble” (New Orleans funk/blues) on June 28 at the Royal Theatre. [1]
- 39 Days of July Festival (Duncan, BC)
🇲🇽 Mexico: Rock, Indie & Fusion Events
While there are no dedicated “pure blues” festivals confirmed for these specific two weeks in Mexico, the following events feature rock, fusion, and roots elements: [1, 2]
- Festival Echoes 26 (Zapopan, Jalisco)
- FIFA Fan Fest: El Gran Silencio (Monterrey, Nuevo León)
- Date: June 20, 2026
- Vibe: Part of the World Cup celebrations at Fundidora Park. El Gran Silencio is a legendary “Avanzada Regia” band blending rock, reggae, and cumbia—a must-see for roots music fans. [1]
- Dogs of Thunder Fest 4.0 (Mexico City)
- Date: June 20, 2026
- Vibe: Located at Foro Cultural Capitán Gallo, featuring independent rock and alternative bands. [1]
- Artemisa Moon Fest (Durango)
- Date: June 27, 2026
- Vibe: A 24-hour pool party with rock, reggae, and ska bands. A more casual, “Bluestock” party vibe. [1]
- Note: The famous Tequila Rock ‘n Blues Festivals (Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo) are traditionally held in January. The next edition is scheduled for January 2027. [1, 2
- 🌍 Other International Mentions
- Holland Blues Festival (Grolloo, Netherlands): June 19–20, 2026. A massive European blues event.
- Azkena Rock Festival (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain): June 18–20, 2026. Famous for booking legendary rock and blues-rock acts. [1, 2, 3]
🕊️ Benefit & Cause-Driven Events (Music Uniting Us, Music Doing Good)
The Unity Fest Mexico is pleased to announce that Dirty Cello, a blues, rock and country rock band from San Francisco. CA. USA will be one of the Headliner Performers. This band, fronted by virtuoso cellist Rebecca Roudman (she performs with two symphony orchestras in the San Fran area) is well known for its rousing, entertaining sets and the unique style that its cello instrument brings.
Their big hearts abound and in addition to supporting the Fest’s Unity is the Best Way message and the local Causes, the Unity Fest is pleased to announce that England’s Will Johns will be backed by the Dirty Cello band on stage throughout the Fest. “Bring it on, said Rebecca, we’d love to help out.” The kind of performers that are great fits for the niche Unity Fest. Check out Dirty Cello band music on YouTube here
Elevating Will’s performance, asking for nothing in return…well almost nothing…a bottle of Tequila maybe, said Rebecca. More on Will Johns next time. The one with the famous bloodlines,(Clapton) and an equally big heart. 5 Albums to his credit. Toured the world. “I’d love to help you guys, I love dogs” The discussion was as simple as that.
That’s Rebecca, second from the right, after an onstage performance with Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman, Carlos’s drummer and wife. Just 2 degrees of separation.
Cause MX-Cross Border Opportunities
The Unity Fest Mexico is considering an additional Performer- Headliner addition. This performer or duo or trio would perform from January 21 through to February 28 in Mexico. At the two Fest weekend events and during the week at times to be discussed to help build interest in the events and to support our Venue partners. Your 1 month vacation in our Hidden Paradise Mexico is set if this is you. Rockin’ uptempo feel good feel alive music is what we present and what you bring.
Mexico Hidden Paradise Moments
Your table is waiting. Playa La Ropa, Bay of Zihuatanejo, Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Closing Questions or Thoughts from Backstage
Know an artist or group doing great work for causes? Or a Fest we should feature? Which female blues-rock or rock-related acts are flying too much under the radar? Kelly Zirbes and Kelly’s Lot of Los Angeles have recorded 18 albums to date, starting in 1996, a 30-year span. Who do you know who has done more recording in a time frame like that? Do you know the kind of performer or group The Unity Fest is looking for.
about The Scene
The Scene is published independently by One Take Publications, led by Bob Rempel, a management consultant, music event producer, promoter, and founder of The Unity Fest Mexico, Tequila Rock ‘n’ Blues Explosion Fest and Team Tequila Community Fund. Events in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Mexico City since 2018. A lifetime of music involvement and love, starting with a record store in the 70’s.
Yes, for full transparency, some affiliated events and partnerships, or news from them, may occasionally be featured here.
New and renewed connections and information sharing are most welcome. Contact Bob directly at “bobrempel@gmail.com” or by text at +52 755 101 5989. Email distribution for The Scene is coming soon. Let us know if you wish to receive The Scene by email.
If this is useful, please forward it to someone else in The Scene