July Talk, Stumbellas to headline Drinks Fest

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Organizers of the Paris Drinks Fest have unveiled the artist lineup for this summer’s festival, marking the next chapter for the popular event after a winter debate at County of Brant council nearly forced it to relocate, or fold altogether. 

The two-day music and beverage festival will return to the grounds beside the Syl Apps Community Centre on Aug. 14 and 15, following a January council vote granting a noise bylaw exemption that allows the event to proceed at the location for one more year. 

The line up announcement comes just months after council reversed an earlier decision that had denied the exemption, prompting concerns the festival might have to leave Paris entirely. The issue sparked significant community discussion, with residents divided over the economic and cultural benefits of the event versus concerns about noise and neighbourhood disruption. 

Despite the uncertainty earlier this year, organizers say they are excited to bring the festival back to its home community with a lineup they believe will resonate with local audiences.

“We are very excited about our 2026 artist lineup!” said Tim Des Islets, president of Noisemaker Presents Inc., which produces the festival. “Our programming this year was a very fun and collaborative process with our team. Spencer Shewen, who was the Creative Director at Riverfest in Elora for 15 years, joined the Noisemaker team this year and brought a lot of great programming ideas to the team. Our Marketing Manager, Sophie McKinnon, introduced us to Thunder Queens and Absolute Treat and we are very excited to bring them to the festival,” he told the Paris Independent. 

This year’s headliners include Canadian rock favourites July Talk on Friday night and The Strumbellas closing out the festival on Saturday.

The Friday, Aug. 14 lineup will also feature Loviet, Thunder Queens and Gizmo. Saturday’s program on Aug. 15 includes Born In The Eighties, Tanika Charles, Glimmerjean & Goode and Absolute Treat.

Des Islets said organizers received an unprecedented level of interest from artists hoping to perform at the event.

“We received a record number of artist submissions this year and found some great music that will be a great fit at Paris Drinks Fest,” he said.

Some of the acts were specifically chosen after years of requests from festival-goers.

“People have been asking us for years to bring both July Talk and The Strumbellas to Paris Drinks Fest,” Des Islets said. “Planning worked out perfectly for us to be able to bring both of them to Paris this year as our headliners. Born In The Eighties have become a festival favourite over the past few years and it wouldn’t be Drinks Fest without them.”

The festival also continues to highlight emerging Canadian talent.

“Thunder Queens are a powerhouse of young women and I think our audience are going to love them,” Des Islets said. “Sophie and I saw Gizmo at a conference in Prince Edward Island and have been working with them since then. Their debut album comes out in the fall and it’s amazing! Fans of Sloan and Wintersleep will love it!”

Paris Drinks Fest, which combines live music with craft beverages and local food vendors, has grown into one of the community’s most recognizable summer events. Supporters at council earlier this year argued the festival draws visitors to the area and benefits local businesses, while critics raised concerns about sound levels near nearby homes and the Grand River corridor. 

Following discussions with council and residents, organizers agreed to several changes, including ending amplified music earlier each night and continuing to monitor sound levels throughout the event. 

Without doubt, after months of uncertainty, returning to the Syl Apps site made this year’s lineup announcement particularly meaningful.

Tickets for the 2026 festival are now available through the event website.