Iron & Wine, The Decemberists first headliners announced for Halifax Jazz Fest 2025

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Iron & Wine and indie rock band The Decemberists will be taking the main stage at the waterfront during Halifax Jazz Fest 2025, playing on July 17 and 18 respectively.

In the first lineup announcements for the festival, it was also revealed that Nigerian Afrobeat and jazz musician Femi Kuti and his band The Positive Force will perform at the Light House Arts Centre on July 15, and that Montreal-based saxophonist Christine Jensen will bring her quartet to play at the Carleton on July 17.

“It is our gift to you to bring these award winning artists to Halifax this summer,” says Halifax Jazz Festival executive director Tenille Goodspeed. “With this first slate we are already giving you what TD Halifax Jazz Festival is known for, incredible world class artists that speak to every music lover.”

Samuel Beam has been producing emotionally resonant music under the name Iron & Wine since his first album in 2002, The Creek Drank The Cradle. He has gone on to create six studio albums under the alias, including 2024’s Light Verse, contrasting despair with positivity to great success.

The Decemberists, first coming onto the scene in 2000, are well-known for their blend of folk and rock, storytelling chops, and for the audience participation at their concerts. 2024’s As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again marked a return from the band after a six-year absence.

Kuti established The Positive Force in 1986, and his work has seen him nominated in the Grammys’ world music category four times since 2003. Kuti’s music blends Afrobeat with his political activism, having written songs such as “Sorry Sorry” in response to the Nigerian government.

Jensen, having won two Juno awards for her albums Treelines (2011) and Habitat (2014), is still going strong off of her latest release, 2024’s Harbour, which she performs alongside her orchestra. Jensen’s style of jazz is as stimulating as it is resonant.

Tickets for festival passes are available now and can be found through the Halifax Jazz Fest website. Individual show tickets will become available for purchase on Friday, Dec 6 at 12pm.