Set on the scenic shores of Long Lake in Yellowknife, Folk on the Rocks returns July 18 to 20.

This year, it marks 45 years as a summer staple in the territory's capital.

CBC North is a sponsor of this year's festival. 

Known for featuring northern talent, alongside southern Canadian and international acts, the music festival has become an essential northern experience, rooted in community and celebrating diversity.

This year's artistic performers prove to be as eclectic and vibrant as expected from the festival. 

Carly McFadden is the artistic director of Folk on the Rocks. During an interview with CBC Trail's End host Lawrence Nayally, she described some of this year's lineup. 

McFadden says she's especially excited about Tinge, an indie-rock trio from Winnipeg led by two-spirit Anishinaabe Veronica Blackhawk (they/she). The band will also take part in the Folk on the Rocks' Performing Arts and Queer Justice Camp, a week-long program for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. The camp is a joint project with the Northern Mosaic Network.

Yellowknife hip-hop artist Aaron "Godson" Hernandez is also set to perform. This marks his first time back on stage since undergoing treatment for stage 4 lymphoma. You can read about his journey in this CBC interview.

Other northern performers include Jonathan Antoine, Carmen Braden, Hendrika, Hughes and many more.

This year's headliners include The Shivas from Portland, Oregon, known for their distinct blend of '60s surf and psychedelic garage rock sound.

Juno Award winners Snotty Nose Rez Kids will take the main stage on Saturday night. The Haisla duo from Kitamaat Village in B.C. recently became the first Indigenous group to win the Juno for Rap Album of the Year with Red Future.

Country-blues artist Jeremie Albino hits the stage Sunday night, touring his latest album, Our Time In The Sun. You can listen to his CBC interview here in a segment from CBC Edmonton's afternoon drive show Radio Active.

Also on the lineup for Sunday is Peter Dreams, the solo project of Peter Dreimanis — co-lead of the Juno Award-winning band July Talk. His new material showcases a textured and atmospheric sound.

Festivities kick off Friday, July 18, at 12:15 p.m. with Montreal singer and multi-instrumentalist Arielle Soucy opening Warm the Rocks at Somba K'e Civic Plaza.

Later that evening, the festival site at Long Lake opens with music in the beer gardens, starting at 6:45 p.m. with The Johnnys, a musical duo originally from Fort Smith, N.W.T.

More than 20 artists are scheduled to perform over the weekend. The Yellowknives Dene Drummers will close out the weekend with a powerful drum dance on Sunday night under the midnight sun, a tradition for the festival.

You can check out the full artist lineup and schedule here.

On the festival grounds, you'll find:

For tickets, schedules and full festival details, visit the Folk on the Rocks website.