Sass Jordan to headline GoodForTheSoll 2025

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

“It doesn’t get more rock ‘n’ roll than this.”

Those were the words of Jay Panaseiko, organizer of Ingersoll’s Good for the Soll Music Festival, when he announced the final act for the event, which will be held on August 23 at Ingersoll’s Memorial Park.

“We are thrilled to announce that Canada’s Queen of Rock and Blues, Sass Jordan, will be headlining this year’s music festival.”

Panaseiko said he is stoked for this year’s event and was overwhelmed with ideas from supporters.

“After the success last year with Helix and a great lineup, everyone in town became a promoter. I had emails asking me to get this band or that band for this year. I have been doing some work with Sass Jordan on an album that is about to be re-released, and that’s when I thought about getting her to play this year.”

Jordan is a JUNO Award-winning artist known for her electrifying performances and chart-topping hits like Make You a Believer, High Road Easy and Tell Somebody. She has shared the stage with rock legends such as Aerosmith, AC/DC, and Van Halen, and mentored the next generation as a judge on Canadian Idol. She also gave Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters his first drumming job.

Three other acts have been booked for the event, including local bands One Way Streets and Miss Conduct.

“One Way Streets was a no-brainer. They’re from town and everyone wanted them back this year. Miss Conduct is also from Ingersoll and really wanted to be a part of the festival last year, but by the time I found out, it was too late but they’re here this year.”

Panaseiko described Miss Conduct as a girls' punk band with a male drummer, with music that is undeniably raw and authentic, accompanied by brazen guitar riffs and hard-hitting drum beats. He also had high praise for up-and-coming performer Charlie Edward, who is on the ticket.

I’ve been following him since he was 16 when he was in a band called Legal Kill. They won the Forest City London Music Awards’ high school battle of the bands around 2017. This kid is just a guitar virtuoso and is about to release an EP and he’s opening for Foreigner on July 5 in Windsor.”

Edward has performed with Motley Crue, Stone Temple Pilots, and inducted Prism into the Canadian Walk of Fame while performing a version of Spaceship Superstar.

The event will feature a larger stage and more lights this time around. Aside from the music, La Katrina, a food truck from Woodstock, will be available to feed hungry concert goers.

“Aside from that, everything is the same. I’m hoping for an identical night of good community fun, 100 per cent no tariffs, free, and under the stars. If you noticed, I changed the logo to Canadian flag colours from last year’s orange. That was kind of my elbows up, and the festival is 100 per cent Canadian.”  

Panaseiko wanted to make sure the amazing businesses of Ingersoll and the surrounding areas were thanked for their continued support of the festival, which wouldn’t be possible without them.

“How cool is it that they give their hard-earned money to throw a concert for free in a small town? I am so appreciative of them and the people who run them. It warms me up that we get the chance to do this again with the Lions Club, and the money raised from the beer tent will all go back into the community.”

He added it is a win-win for everybody.

“Everyone gets a free show, and we make money for the community. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving.”

Just like in 2024, some food and beverage sponsors are going to be putting GoodForTheSoll-themed items on their menus.

“There are a bunch of them that will do month-long specials in August with a custom drink or a burger or whatever. We’re trying to get people to go to our website and follow along on our Facebook page to see what the businesses have to offer.”

Donations are also going to be taken at the entrances to raise money for Ingersoll’s Multi-Use Recreation Centre. Panaseiko added he is a few sponsors shy of being sold out, and anyone interested can contact him at Jay@studio73digitalmedia.com or by phone at 519-497-9173. He added more volunteers are also welcome.

More information is available on the festival website at https://goodforthesoll.com/ and on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Goodforthesoll.