Hamilton is a musical powerhouse – home to world-class talent across every genre. Meet some of the artists, bands and industry leaders shaping the city’s sounds, and learn what they love about performing and living in Hamilton.
Chelsea McWilliams
Singer/bassist in Americana alt-country trio The Redhill Valleys
Favourite Hamilton music event or memory?
Winning the Country Music Association of Ontario Award for Best Group this past June in Hamilton.
Favourite spot in the city to catch a live show?
The Westdale hosts an amazing convergence of live music events, art and film.
A local musician (old or new) who inspires you?
Love giving a shoutout to Carl Jennings (Freedom Train) who is an amazing mentor, musician, producer and fellow bassist who has been shaping the Hamilton music scene for over 35 years.
Favourite meal in Hamilton?
The Mule for tacos and tequila.
Favourite Hamilton hidden gem?
Cadence Weapon
Rapper, Polaris Music Prize winner, poet, author
Project you’re looking forward to?
I have two projects coming early next year: my next album Forager is out on April 24 and the follow up to my Hamilton Literary Award-nominated book Bedroom Rapper is coming out on May 28. It’s called Ways of Listening.
Favourite Hamilton music event or memory?
Playing Supercrawl this year was so much fun! It was amazing to be on the bill with other rappers like Tobi and Classified in the middle of downtown.
Favourite spot in the city to catch a live show?
I would say the Casbah before it closed. I saw Destroyer there last year and it was amazing to be able to see an artist like that in such an intimate space. For venues that are still around, I’d say Bridgeworks is always a good time.
A local musician (old or new) who inspires you?
Jeremy Greenspan of Junior Boys. He’s very underrated and has produced some of the best electronic music to ever come out of Canada.
Favourite meal in Hamilton?
Joshy’s Good Eats has become my go-to lunch spot ever since they moved to their new location on Cannon. I usually have the Dadwich on an Everything bagel.
Where do you take out-of-town friend or relative when they visit?
Hamilton Antique Mall. You’ll never know what you’ll find there. People are always amazed when I take them there.
Favourite Hamilton hidden gem?
Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology. My son is really into trains so we like to go on Train Days with the Golden Horseshoe Live Streamers, this locomotive society that operates a replica train that you can ride on for donations.
Killotine
@killotinemetal
Metal band who represented Canada at Wacken Open Air 2025. Members: Matt Fraser (vocals and rhythm guitar), Jesse Luciani (lead guitar), James Beck (drums) and James McNeil (bass and backing vocals)
Project you’re looking forward to?
We are looking forward to our upcoming album release this spring! It’s being recorded right here in Hamilton.
Favourite Hamilton music event or memory?
So many, from classical guitar to heavy metal… but a recent one was watching our friends in Loversteeth play at Supercrawl!
Favourite spot in the city to catch a live show?
The Doors Pub. Go out and support live music!
A local musician (old or new) who inspires you?
Emma Rush. Emma taught our lead guitarist at Mohawk College, and used to run a classical guitar concert series in Hamilton!
Favourite meal in Hamilton?
Mario’s Pizza on Mohawk Road East.
Where do you take an out of town friend or relative when they visit?
To any of the live music venues! The Doors Pub, Corktown, Ooey Goeey’s, etc! Oh yea, did we forget to say: support live music!
Favourite Hamilton hidden gem?
Main Stage Rehearsal Studios. Hamilton has an incredible music scene and a place like Main Stage is so valuable!
James Kahane
Conductor/Aristic Director, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
Project you’re looking forward to?
I am looking forward to conducting all of the HPO’s spring 2026 Concerts, but I am especially excited about our brand new Inside the Orchestra events happening on March 20 and April 18, 2026. Audiences can sit on stage with the orchestra while they rehearse for the following night’s concert. The conductor or host will share insights into the music and the composer so audiences can gain a deeper appreciation.
Favourite Hamilton music event or memory?
Supercrawl 2025 was really quite impressive. It’s on par with what you will find in large cities across Europe, with the extra charm of being more local and community oriented.
Favourite spot in the city to catch a live show?
FirstOntario Concert Hall, of course.
A local musician (old or new) who inspires you?
Darcy Hepner is a great Hamilton musician!
Favourite meal in Hamilton?
Rapscallion. I went for the first time for a full meal recently and the experience was quite extraordinary.
Where do you take an out-of-town friend or relative when they visit?
I’ll bring them to different restaurants, show them around James Street North and maybe a few parks along the waterfront.
Favourite Hamilton hidden gem?
Woodland Cemetery. I stumbled upon it by accident so from my perspective it’s quite “hidden”. It is surrounded by nature with an amazing view of the bay and the city.
Lisa La Rocca
Director of Operations, Sonic Unyon and Supercrawl
Project you’re looking forward to?
The future of our Fresh Up series, which focuses on R&B and hip-hop arists. I’m also looking forward to The JUNOS coming to Hamilton in March 2026!
Favourite Hamilton music event or memory?
Earth Song. My dad worked for Creative Arts when they organized it, and I think a lot of Hamiltonians have great memories of that festival from the ’90s.
Favourite spot in the city to catch a live show?
Mills Hardware. I know it’s one of our own (a Sonic Unyon venue), but it’s small enough to feel like an intimate show with your favourite artist, and right in the downtown core. I’ve seen so many inspiring performances there over the last 10 years!
A local musician (old or new) who inspires you?
I always answer this question with Jackie Washington. One of the Hamilton greats. I was lucky enough to know him and consider him a friend as a child!
Favourite meal in Hamilton?
I love soup so I’ve got to say Pho Dui Bo, B&T, or Burnt Tongue.
Where do you take an out of town friend or relative when they visit?
Everywhere and anywhere on James Street North – a restaurant, coffee shop, vintage shop, art crawl, or (shameless plug) Supercrawl!
Favourite Hamilton hidden gem?
Not sure it’s hidden gem, but there’s always been something mesmerizing to me about sitting at the top of the Mountain brow and looking at the city lights and the stars at the same time. Our city is beautiful. Bonus points if you get 7-Eleven on the way.
Luke Bentham
Singer/guitarist in rock band The Dirty Nil; JUNO winner
Project you’re looking forward to?
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of our first LP: HIGHER POWER.
Favourite Hamilton music event or memory?
My favourite memory is seeing Stompin’ Tom with my dad in 2005 at Hamilton Place.
Favourite spot in the city to catch a live show?
A local musician (old or new) who inspires you?
Gord Lewis, David O’Connor, Drew Thompson, Kyle Fisher.
Favourite meal in Hamilton?
Nabil’s. It’s the freshest and I crave it all the time. It’s not as flashy as some of the higher-profile restaurants in the city, but it’s my favourite.
A version of this article first appeared in HAMILTON CITY Magazine.