Gateway Events Presents: Mia Kelly & Blair Dunlop

Two of the most compelling voices in contemporary folk — Mia Kelly (Canada) and Blair Dunlop (UK) — continue their cross-continental collaboration this fall, bringing their tour to Western Canada and select cities in Ontario and Quebec.

Earlier this year, Kelly and Dunlop performed to captivated audiences across Ontario and Quebec following a UK tour that saw Kelly as Dunlop’s special guest. This next leg of their Canadian journey builds on that success, offering fans another opportunity to see each artist perform solo sets while celebrating their creative connection.

After meeting at Folk Alliance International in Kansas City in 2023, the two award-winning songwriters co-wrote “Meaning Well,” featured on Kelly’s CFMA-nominated album To Be Clear (2024). Their on-stage chemistry and shared storytelling instincts have struck a chord with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.

About Mia Kelly:

Mia Kelly is a singer-songwriter from Gatineau, Quebec, who writes and performs in both French and English. Kelly enthralls listeners with a distinctive blend of Folk, Rock, and Blues and is making her mark in the Canadian folk music scene. Recently awarded Young Performer of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards, Kelly is swiftly gaining recognition as a poetic lyricist with a powerful and versatile voice. With her knack for adapting the stories of the people she has connected with in her life, Mia is an imaginative storyteller who channels her raw and vulnerable emotions through her expertly crafted songs.

Her 2022 debut album, Garden Through the War, explored themes of resilience and growth that follow hardship. The album received recognition from the SOCAN Foundation. Kelly was awarded the Emerging Artist of the Year by Culture Outaouais, and represented Canada as a finalist at the 2023 Jeux De La Francophonie in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She’s been covered by La Presse, Ottawa Citizen, Radio Canada, Roots Music Canada, Châtelaine, and many more.

She’s shared the stage with Aysanabee, The Franklin Electric, Daniel Champagne, Jeremie Albino, Julian Taylor, Lloyd Spiegel and performed at Tallinn Music Week (Estonia), Folk Alliance International, Ottawa Bluesfest, Summerfolk, Ontario Festival of Small Halls, Festival des Montgolfières in Gatineau, Live from the Rock, and participated in the young artist program at Winnipeg Folk Festival in 2023.

About Blair Dunlop:

“The busy crowd… is testament to Dunlop’s talents. Dunlop brings an air of tenacity while displaying a fine repertoire of well-crafted songs spanning traditional and contemporary. He’s determinedly taking the traditions of folk in his own direction.” – The Independent

Blair Dunlop is an award-winning British singer-songwriter and guitarist, who has released five albums, two EPs, and toured around the globe.

Blair burst onto the scene with his debut album Blight & Blossom in 2012, showcasing virtuosic musicianship and lyrical maturity, and was awarded a prestigious BBC Folk Award in the wake of its release. A string of critically acclaimed albums followed, along with headline tours and festival appearances in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia. Gilded and Notes from an Island were released on his own label and singles “The Egoist” and “356” received national playlist status on BBC Radio 2. Following this, Trails: Queensland (2021), Blair’s first live album, documented a tour of rural Australia, playing for isolated communities. From Glastonbury to Tuscany, Queensland to Palestine, Blair has brought his musicality and storytelling to audiences young and old.

“From the outside, when listening to the music of Blair Dunlop, you get the impression that though he’s something of a natural talent he continues to work hard to progress both his songwriting and musicianship…. you can hear the folk heritage coursing through his veins as well as the originality he brings to the genre.” – Songwriting Magazine 

Sound production equipment for the King Eddy provided by PK Sound.

King Eddy offers both seats and standing room at our shows. If you purchase a seated ticket, you will have a reserved seat for the show. Tables may be shared with other ticket holders. Seated tickets are first come, first served. Please contact us at 403-829-6016 or info@kingeddy.ca if you have mobility issues.