Canadian independent artists to perform at Lilla By Festivalen in Rinkaby, Sweden – June 12-13, 2026 – in a landmark first for Canada-Sweden musical exchange
The inaugural North2North: The Artist Gateway competition has named its winners – and three extraordinary Canadian indie artists are heading to Sweden. Fresh Breath, Irish Millie, and Donita Large have each earned a spot in a Canadian contingent travelling to Lilla By Festivalen in Rinkaby, Sweden on June 12 and 13, 2026, where they will perform on the main stage and in the beloved Kanaladan – the festival’s very own Canada Barn. This is the first time a competition of this kind has opened a direct performance pipeline between Canadian indie artists and one of Sweden’s most warmly regarded independent festivals.
The three winners represent the full breadth of what Canadian independent music sounds like right now. Lilla By Festivalen co-founders Malin Osth and Jonas Tancred – who will host the Canadian contingent in Rinkaby – said it best: “This year’s winners highlight the scope and talent of Canadian music, from the warm Canadiana harmonies of Fresh Breath to the Celtic pop rock energy of Irish Millie and the emotional voice of Donita Large. We are truly excited to welcome these fantastic artists to perform at the Lilla By Festivalen 2026 and look forward to sharing their music with our audience in Sweden.”
North2North is produced and presented by Cashbox Canada, Lilla By Festivalen, Rise & Reign, and EMG Collectives – a coalition built on eight-plus years of cross-Atlantic music relationship-building between Canada and Sweden. The competition was open to all Canadian indie artists, with every submission receiving a written assessment and feedback from a panel of top-tier adjudicators. “The relationship between Canada, Sweden and the Lilla By Festivalen has been growing every year,” says Sandy Graham, Publisher of Cashbox Canada and North2North producer. “I couldn’t be prouder to be Canadian at this time in a world that sees what an amazing country we have and the music speaks for itself. Tack sa mycket Lilla By Festivalen!”
The prize packages – valued at up to $12,000 CAD – include two performances each at Lilla By Festivalen, full accommodations in Rinkaby, cover and feature stories in Cashbox Canada and Record World International, radio rotation on Cashbox Radio, artist development sessions, grant writing support, recording sessions, and social media video packages. In addition, producer Vance McKenzie will be on the ground in Sweden and will select one Swedish artist to perform in Canada before the end of 2026 – extending the exchange in both directions. Producer Ashley Andrews added: “Music doesn’t recognize borders, and initiatives like this prove that great songs and creative collaborations can travel far beyond geography.”
Lilla By Festivalen – founded in 2021 by Malin Osth and Jonas Tancred on their own private land in the Swedish countryside of Skane County – has grown into a beloved hub for music, culture, and community. The festival’s Kanaladan (Canada Barn) stands as a symbol of the deep ties between the two countries. North2North adjudicators included Sandy Graham (Cashbox Canada/Record World International/Cashbox Radio), Eric Alper (That Eric Alper PR), Vance McKenzie (Vance Music World), Lisa Hartt (Juno-nominated singer-songwriter), Ashley Andrews (Rise & Reign), and Malin Osth and Jonas Tancred of Lilla By Festivalen.
North2North is a competition, a showcase, a mentorship programme, and a bridge – all at once. For the artists heading to Rinkaby this June, it is the start of something that reaches well beyond any single performance. More information about the artists, adjudicators, and prize packages is available at the links below.
North2North: https://www.north2north.
Lilla By Festivalen: https://www.lillabyfestivalen.
Cashbox Canada: https://cashboxcanada.ca/
EMG Collectives: https://emgcollectives.com/
