The 2026 ROOTSandBLUES festival wrapped up over the weekend, with one band saying it was a treat to perform in Salmon Arm.
The Free Label, a six-member band from Toronto, performed in Salmon Arm for the first time, playing the kickoff concert on Thursday, July 23, and the Barn Stage on Friday, July 24.
The band’s music blends 1970s disco and 1990s R&B.
Joshua Tsaka, the lead singer and saxophonist for The Free Label, said the audience was ready to party.
“I’m surprised,” he said. “It was good energy.”
Tsaka said the group visited a local beach on the morning of its ROOTSandBLUES performance.
“It’s a beautiful little town and we are so happy to be here,” he said. “As we were driving over, it stood right out, obviously the mountains.”
On July 24, smoke from nearby wildfires hung over the city, but Tsaka said it did not affect the band.
The Free Label’s next performance was scheduled for the Calgary Folk Music Festival.
Tsaka said a new album will be released soon. He also said the band is thankful to the Salmon Arm community for coming out and celebrating with them.
