Our city and province are killing it when it comes to supporting local. From food, to products to music, we’re all here holding our fists in the air for the talent from our own hometowns. The National Music Centre hosts the Alberta Spotlight concert series to highlight and showcase the amazing talent our province is bursting with.

Get your squad together for the next Alberta Spotlight concert, featuring nêhiyawak with opener FOONYAP on April 19 at Studio Bell. nêhiyawak hails from amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) on Treaty 6 territory, and they bring to the stage their story through honeyed vocals and a cacophony of electronic and analog sounds. They do a beautiful job of balancing their Indigenous heritage with the present by blending indie-rock guitars and dance floor synths with the steady beats of carved cedar logs and hand drums.

This talked-about act has been getting a lot of buzz since releasing their hypnotizing debut EP in 2017. Known for their mesmerizing live shows, don’t miss an opportunity to support an on-the-rise Alberta band and dig deeper into Indigenous music and culture in Canada today.

Opening up for nêhiyawak is FOONYAP, a native Calgarian who began playing the violin when she was 4. Her story is relatable – her struggle with conformity and the need for acceptance as she grew up in classical music, Catholicism and Chinese culture. Her story has delivered a hauntingly beautiful album, reflecting her tumultuous journey to self-discovery.

The two musical acts complement each other in bringing Alberta’s culture to life through music. We’re honoured that we are able to experience their stories through their performances. As Eminem would say, you better lose yourself in the music. Their passion and talent is contagious, you’ll be wanting an encore after the encore.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit StudioBell.ca/whats-on.