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For our main stage, we will have returning favourites and a number of first timers who will join us in our main ����APP����Strong stage, located in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

"Playing" it forward

Every year, ����APP����Strong Festival hosts a talented group of emerging artists in collaboration with . 

Prophets of Music (POMS) is a community outreach group consisting of music enthusiasts and industry professionals. They were founded in 2015 in honour of Joshua Hunter, who was a ����APP���� Business student and member of local band Zackariah & the Prophets before his tragic passing in 2014.  

POMS has witnessed the power of music as part of Joshua’s legacy and recognises how it can inspire hope and creativity in others as an intrinsic part of their lives. Their music initiatives include scholarships and fundraising activities, facilitating opportunities for talented artists to gain access to career development. 

 Like earlier years, the POMS lineup offers diverse sounds across genres with impressive music trajectories. 

Irene Poole | 11:30–11:50 a.m.

For our main stage, we will kick off with soft tunes from Irene Poole (she/her), whose hopeful indie-folk will captivate audiences and transport them into nature, for all the camping enthusiasts in the audience. 

Born in Banff and based in Calgary, Irene embraces the intimacy of live performance. To see her perform is to feel connected with her, with other members of her audience and with her music.

Robert Adam | 12:10–12:30 p.m.

For those of you who can't wait for Stampede stages, “Canada’s Dream Angel Cowboy” Robert Adam (they/them) will be delivering an amazing performance of the same calibre as their most recent nine-stop Japan tour. 

In their music, Robert encourages audience members to celebrate their identity and embrace emotion. This is clear through the versatility of Robert themselves, and how they bring their creative love for show and fashion to the stage.

Tea Fannie | 12:50–1:20 p.m. 

Midway through the main stage line-up, Tea Fannie (she/her) will bring equal parts party, comedy and therapy.  There’s a reason she’s so beloved in Calgary’s local music scene, while also captivating hearts worldwide at Prague Pride and Tokyo.  

Tea Fannie’s performances cement her as an artist worth watching. Come by for some fun dances, groove to her hip-hop and rap songs and leave changed. 

 

 

Kaiya Gamble | 1:40–2:10 p.m. 

Kaiya Gamble is returning this year to Festival, but this time around, she will take on the role of Festival MC.  Kaiya was recently recognised as a contestant on American Idol, the first Albertan in the history of the show to win a golden ticket.  

With her extensive experience opening for artists like JP Saxe, it’s exciting to have Kaiya back at ����APP���� as an example of the rising and successful performers we have in our city. Kaiya’s honest vulnerability in her music appeals to listeners and lets them feel seen, sure to resonate with student listeners.  

Velvet | 2:20–3:00 p.m. 

Velvet is a young Calgary rock band who recently formed in the summer of 2023. They’ve perfected their lineup with guitarist Aiden Evangelista, Lola Tipouikidis on bass, Finley O'Reilly on vocals, Laine Jeffery on drums and Andrew Michalchuk on keys.  

Velvet is the perfect example of how ����APP����Strong Festival has performers for fans of all genres. A promising wave of new local talent, their creative and unique brand of music is the perfect way to end this year’s lineup. 

Want to learn more about our Prophets of Music stage or get ready for their performances? We curated a Spotify playlist with our picks from each of the artists!  . 

Supporting fellow student artists 

In addition to the POMS lineup, our two side stages will show off student talent. Come by the Gold Gym to enjoy 10-minute massages while listening to some relaxing fingerpicking and warm acoustic guitar songs with students Ashita Karim and Manjaap Sangha participating. 

If you’re looking for something more active, come by the Red Gym and join in on the fun by playing some mini-golf while also supporting a music ensemble brought by Schulich Soundstage members. Performing students include Julianna Garcia, Tusher Rashid, Daniel Sanguinetti, Gavin Grubert, Bilal Ahmed and Rodrigo Cortez.