It’s not long now before star-studded performances are set to take over Barrie’s downtown with soundwaves rippling across Kempenfelt Bay. The first concert of the Troubadour Summer Concert Series is less than two weeks away and the Downtown Barrie BIA has revealed the local artists who will make way for the headliners. Starting at 5 p.m., three local artists will set the stage for previously announced artists Sam Polley and The Old Tomorrows. They will then make way for rock icons The Road Hammers, who are headlining the first Saturday of the series on Sat., June 6. The Local Opener Showcase had its inaugural year in 2025 and quickly became a favourite for festival goers. The stage will host some of the best talent from across Simcoe-Muskoka and Ontario. Here are the lucky local openers who are sure to dazzle the crowds. The Jammers Waffle House A three-piece indie rock band from Mississauga that’s gained traction across the globe, The Jammers Waffle House is known for high-energy and crowd-driven performances. They also have charting singles in the U.K. and have made several appearances on Rogers Hometown Hockey, a hockey festival that tours Canada and broadcasts live on television. The group gets their sound from both classic and modern bands. “I mean, there’s a wide array of influences that play into our sound. But I would say our two biggest ones are the Beatles, definitely are the biggest one. I would say a bit of the folk sound of Great Big Sea plays a little bit into it too,” says band member, Matt Levesque. Kendra Gabrielle Classically trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Kendra Gabrielle is a country musician, hailing from Mississauga, who’s amassed hundreds of thousands of streams. Her single, ‘RED,’ has had airplay on more than 30 Canadian radio stations. Gabrielle’s music education has become the foundation for her signature sound where she combines her classical training with modern songwriting. She loves collaborating with others when it comes to the songwriting process. “Right now in my career, I’m co-writing a lot. So I usually bring in some idea that I have that I think a lot of females will relate to,” Gabrielle tells CTV News. “I love writing about love and heartbreak. And I also wrote a song about grief recently.” Makinna Givens A country musician from northern Ontario, Makinna Givens is known for her honest songwriting and blurring of musical genres. She’s been recognized by the Country Music Association of Ontario and SiriusXM. Givens enjoys being a part of the whole songwriting process. “I am a control freak, unfortunately, so that comes out in the music a little bit,” Givens says with a laugh. “I think I just like seeing an idea come to life and seeing it all through to the end. When you hear a song, somebody built something out of nothing.” While Givens is inspired by good songs, her biggest inspiration is her mother. “She has been through the ringer and she never complains about it.” The Troubadour Summer Concert Series prides itself on mixing national headliners with a spotlight on local musicians, giving artists from across central Ontario the opportunity to perform for festival-sized crowds. “Last year showed us just how powerful this platform can be for local artists,” said Chas Hay, owner of HeyBear Productions. “The Local Opener Showcase is about creating real opportunities — giving artists the stage, the audience, and the experience that can help take their careers to the next level.” Attracting thousands of people to the city every summer, the festival continues to build momentum having recently been recognized as one of Ontario’s top festivals. The Troubadour Summer Concert Series is presented by Paul Sadlon Motors, CTV News Barrie, PURE COUNTRY 106, BOUNCE 104.1, Hey Bear Productions, Lemmon Entertainment, City of Barrie and Tourism Barrie. Troubadour Schedule:
