The 2025 IIMS details this year’s artist lineup with performers from around the world gathering in Tkaronto, June 2-6. Welcoming Indigenous artists from nations across Turtle Island and far beyond, the IIMS is a launchpad for discovery, an engine of opportunity and career development and above all, a celebration of sounds and stories. As the world’s foremost Indigenous music gathering, the IIMS contributes to the overall growth and success of the Indigenous music ecosystem, reflected in this year’s new high watermark for Indigenous nominations at the JUNO Awards. Register for the IIMS 2025 here.
The 2025 IIMS lineup welcomes emerging and iconic talent alike, artists who carry traditions forward and artists who shape new futures altogether. Artists working in experimental, soundscape-building worlds include Montreal’s Anachnid, the collaborative project ASKO, Tahltan and Tlingit ambient/synth/spoken word artist Edzi’u and Winnipeg’s avant-pop KWIAT.
In country folk lanes, where heart and homeland shine in song, the IIMS 2025 welcomes Yukon’s Diyet & the Love Soldiers, roots rocker Mitchell Makoons, singer-songwriter PAKO from Manawan, QC, folk artist Juurini from Kuujjuaq (QC), Manitoba Country Music Award winner Jade Turner and Australian songwriter Nancy Bates.
Lyricism and big beats abound with showcasing hip hop artists and DJs including Saskatoon’s Big Tones, Mi’kmaq rapper Wolf Castle, Halifax producer/DJ Matty Galaxy, acclaimed producer/pop-trap Mattmac, Australian duo FLEWNT & INKABEE and Aotearoa rapper/poet MELODOWNZ. This year’s lineup also includes Treaty 1 DJ The Kaptain and Boiler Room-approved Lady Shaka, from Aotearoa.
Multi-disciplinary artists set to perform this year include Innu writer, actor, performance artist and musician Soleil Launière, Nehiyaw tap dancer Johnathan Morin and Māori-Pasifika performer Te KuraHuia.
The 2025 lineup also features artists that bridge Pacific shores, with performers from the west coast, Oceania, Chile, Ecuador and Fiji including G̱a̱mksimoon, presenting music rooted in the cultural heritage of the Ts’msyen people, Andean singer Carmen Lienqueo and Fiji’s RakoPasefika.
From pop to Powwow, hip hop to funk to folk and beyond, the IIMS 2025 offers an utterly unique immersion into the global Indigenous music scene. The Summit is pleased to present artists making their North American and Toronto debuts, including a strong delegation from Australia and Aotearoa with Goldsmith Baynes, Kee’ahn, Kutcha Edwards and more), and joyfully large collectives and bands (Yarina, The Melawmen Collective).
| Alex Kusturok * Anachnid * ASKO * Banda La Tribu * Big Tones * Bumpy * Carmen Lienqueo * Chuskupura * Diyet & the Love Soldiers * Eadsé * Edzi’u * Electric Religious * FLEWNT & INKABEE * G̱a̱mksimoon * Gerard Sagassige & Nimkii Osawamick * Goldsmith Baynes * Jade Turner * Jessa Sky * Johnathan Morin * Juurini * KaKaow * The Kaptain * Kee’ahn * Kutcha Edwards * KWIAT * Lady Shaka * Mattmac * Matty Galaxy * Mitchell Makoons The Melawmen Collective * MELODOWNZ * Nancy Bates * Natasha Fisher * Northern Cree * PAKO * RakoPasefika * Sara Curruchich * Soleil Launière * Tanya Tagaq * Te KuraHuia * Wolf Castle * Yarina |
Previously announced Opening Night Gala performers include Tanya Tagaq, Northern Cree, Alex Kusturok and Sara Curruchich, with a special appearance by Elder Gerard Sagassige and Nimkii Osawamick. The Opening Night Gala takes place June 2, 2025 at TD Music Hall. Tickets are included in full IIMS 2025 registration packages or as a standalone purchase here.
The Summit’s 2025 theme is Bemaazhid E-Niigaanzijig, an Anishinaabe phrase which means “Soaring Together as Leaders.” The theme orients this year’s program with a mindset of ‘we are all stronger together’ and the collective work of raising and uniting the global Indigenous community. Driven by the Summit’s commitment to collaboration and mutual benefit as the foundation to a thriving Indigenous music ecology, Bemaazhid E-Niigaanzijig sets a table with space for everyone.
