Kaia Kater over next month for Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival
Wed 03 Jun 2026Fresh off winning the 2025 JUNO Award for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year, Kaia Kater continues to carve out a singular space in contemporary folk music. Born in Montreal and shaped by influences stretching from Appalachia to the Caribbean, Kater’s jazz-inflected vocals, intricate banjo playing, and cinematic songwriting have earned praise from NPR’s Tiny Desk, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian.
Her latest album, Strange Medicine, finds Kater expanding her sound in bold new directions. Co-produced alongside Joe Grass (Elisapie, Barr Brothers), the record blends lush arrangements with deeply personal reflections on identity, resilience, and the lives of women and oppressed people throughout history. Featuring collaborations with artists including Taj Mahal, Allison Russell, and Aoife O’Donovan, the album further cements Kater as one of the most compelling voices in modern roots music.
This summer, Kaia Kater will head to the Netherlands for Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival, where she’ll perform a special live set in addition to doing workshops and a masterclass, offering audiences a deeper look into the artistry and storytelling that continue to define her work.