Whoa Is Me. CityFolk Ends with a Bang

CityFolk 2025 wrapped up its fifth and final night on Sunday with an eclectic mix of Canadian favorites, rising stars, and local legends.

While the crowd was lighter than some earlier nights—no surprise for a Sunday—the atmosphere was lively and the performances ensured the festival closed on a high note. Headliners Down With Webster capped off the festival with the kind of chaotic, high-energy show that has made them one of Canada’s most exciting live acts for over a decade. Formed in Toronto in the early 2000s, the group first broke through with their 2009 EP Time to Win, Vol. 1, which produced radio staples like “Rich Girl$” and “Your Man.” Their genre-blending mix of hip-hop, rock, pop, and funk earned them a loyal fan base and JUNO nominations, as well as a reputation for unforgettable, unpredictable performances.

Sunday’s set was classic DWW—full of jumping, sprinting, and borderline acrobatics that left fans wondering how the band members manage to make it through without injury. Ottawa crowds were buzzing before the show thanks to rumors that Canadian Prime Minister (and noted DWW fan) Mark Carney might make an appearance. We didn’t see him, but the presence of a couple of snipers on the roof of TD Place added to the intrigue. In the end, it was the band’s explosive stagecraft and nostalgia-packed setlist that gave the audience all the spectacle they needed.

Before them came Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS), the Toronto duo of Jason “Human Kebab” Parsons and Ashley Buchholz. Though they announced a farewell tour years ago, the pair seem determined never to fully retire—a fact their fans are grateful for. Parsons, true to form, delivered his signature high-energy stunts, including going vertical mid-set, while Buchholz kept pace with big riffs and vocals. Their mix of alt-rock grooves and electronic beats had the crowd moving from the first note.

Opening the big stage was Cam Kahin, a 23-year-old Toronto alt-punk artist signed to Dine Alone Records. Kahin’s set was a burst of raw energy—loud, honest, and unapologetically authentic. It was the kind of performance that felt like an introduction to a future headliner in the making.

Over on the smaller stage, the night closed with TOBi, the Nigerian-Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter who has been steadily building his reputation as one of the country’s most dynamic rappers. Standing tall—literally, as he was introduced as the tallest performer in CityFolk history—TOBi matched his physical presence with a commanding flow and magnetic stage presence. With four JUNO Awards already to his name, including Rap Album of the Year in 2024 for PANIC and Rap Single of the Year for its opener “Someone I Knew,” TOBi showed Ottawa why he’s one of the brightest Canadian artists to watch.

Supporting him were BLAKDENIM, an Ottawa collective that fuses hip-hop, funk, rock, and soul with a lineup that includes drums, bass, keys, horns, vocalist, and emcee. Their sound is hard to pin down—they’ve drawn comparisons to everyone from The Roots to Rage Against the Machine—but their live show proved they’re charting their own path, with a style and energy that’s distinctly theirs.

Opening the stage was J Morris, a well-known figure in Ottawa’s music community with more than two decades of experience as an artist, radio host, and promoter. His heartfelt set proved that he more than belonged alongside the night’s heavy-hitting lineup, earning respect and applause from the hometown crowd.

As the final notes rang out, CityFolk 2025 came to a close. Across five nights, the festival delivered everything from alt-punk upstarts to chart-topping rappers, from nostalgic favourites to hometown heroes. Once again, CityFolk proved why it’s one of Ottawa’s most beloved festivals: a relaxed Lansdowne setting, a wide mix of talent, and a community spirit that makes it feel like more than just a concert series. Until next year.

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