A big man with a big voice, “Uncle” Kutcha Edwards started the June 3, 2025, International Indigenous Music Summit (IIMS) showcases at TD Music Hall. He began by pounding on the clavé, accompanied by Linc YowYeh on acoustic guitar, to perform “Singing Up Country” – an anthem tribute to his homelands in Australia. He told the tenderhearted story of being taken from his mother at 18 months old, then seeing her again only briefly at the age of six. This lived experience was captured in a performance of his song “Mrs. Edwards,” which inspired him to weep onstage, overcome with emotion, and earn a standing ovation. Songs like “Mother Tongue” and “I Know Where I’m Going” kept the audience equally enthralled.
A 2024 SOCAN Award winner, Jade Turner made her Toronto live debut with this performance. Leaning into bluesey flavours here and pop ones there, Turner never strayed too far from current Americana and country. She proved herself an expert songwriter, performing captivating story-songs about rural life (“Highway Town”), her young son (“Stay Wild Child”), her inspirational hero Crystal Shawanda (“Dead Weight”), and a family member who became displaced, and then passed away, after serious early life challenges (“Marion”). With her powerful voice, and a potent four-piece backing band – including noted Winnipeg producer Murray Pulver (Bros. Landreth) on rhythm guitar – Turner made a strong, lasting impression.
Manitoba Métis singer-songwriter Mitchell Makoons brought his stripped-down roots sound to the IIMS stage, playing only his acoustic guitar, alongside Caitlin Baker on the fiddle. His simple but effective material, like “Courage” and “Best Friend,” were balanced by a novelty song about the post-relationship return of a sweater, scented eight months later with the persistent smell of Tide Coldwater, and more serious content like “Still My Father’s Son.” A singer of many moods, well captured in his live performance.
Pako is a raspy-voiced singer-songwriter from the Atikamekw community of Manawan, located in the Lanaudière region of Québec. With a loud, hard-rock backing band of drums, bass, and electric guitar, his music was propulsive, dynamic, atmospheric, and ranged from straight-up blues (about listening more to your wallet), to funky rock (about the guitar being your best friend), to heavy metal. It was highlighted by flashy, explosive guitar solos that earned plenty of applause.
The International Indigenous Music Summit continues through June 6th.