CallHome Music Festival Delivers Two Unforgettable Days in Brantford
Brantford’s Lions Park came alive on July 18 and 19, 2025, as thousands of music fans gathered for two incredible days of live performances at the CallHome Music Festival.
I had the opportunity to attend both days of the festival and capture plenty of photos throughout the weekend. From the first artist taking the stage on Friday afternoon to the final performance on Saturday night, the energy inside Lions Park was incredible.
The festival brought together an impressive mix of established Canadian performers, rising Ontario artists and one of the strongest lineups the event has featured to date.
Friday’s main-stage lineup included k-os, Bedouin Soundclash, USS and headliner Walk Off the Earth. The side stage kept the music going between the larger performances, featuring Harm & Ease, Chiara Savasta and Brantford musician Julian Hache.
The variety of music created an atmosphere that appealed to longtime fans of the performers while also introducing attendees to artists they may not have heard before.
Walk Off the Earth brought Friday night to an energetic close with the creativity, musicianship and stage presence that have helped the group build an international following. One of the highlights of their performance came when they welcomed Luminati Suns to the stage. Featuring the three sons of Walk Off the Earth members Gianni Luminati and Sarah Blackwood, the young band entertained the crowd for several songs and quickly had everyone singing along. It was a memorable family moment and an exciting conclusion to the opening night, setting the stage for another full day of music on Saturday.
The second day had a heavier rock focus, with The Wild High, Rusty, JJ Wilde, Pop Evil and The Glorious Sons performing on the main stage. Ash Molloy, Barstool Confession and New Friends were among the performers keeping the side stage active throughout the day.
Every artist brought something different to the festival.
Rusty delivered a memorable performance filled with songs that longtime Canadian alternative-rock fans immediately recognized. JJ Wilde commanded the stage with a powerful set, while Pop Evil brought the heaviest sound of the weekend and kept the crowd moving throughout its performance.
The Glorious Sons closed the festival in front of a crowd that had clearly been waiting all day to see them. Their performance provided a fitting conclusion to two days filled with outstanding live music.
While the artists were the main attraction, CallHome was about much more than what happened on the stages.
Throughout the weekend, attendees could explore food and merchandise vendors, enjoy refreshments and participate in activities around the festival grounds. Cornhole, axe throwing and live wrestling added even more entertainment to the experience.
The layout of the park allowed people to move between the stages, vendor areas and activities while still feeling connected to the festival. There was always something happening, but the event maintained the welcoming community atmosphere that has made it such an important part of Brantford’s summer calendar.
It was also great to see people travelling from outside Brantford to attend the festival. Events like CallHome introduce visitors to our community while giving local residents the opportunity to experience major performers without having to travel to Toronto or another large city.
