Hillside Inside is once again back for another winter weekend full of music, community and joy on February 5-7, 2027. We are thrilled to announce our two ticketed shows taking place throughout the weekend at Royal City Mission, downtown Guelph. Please scroll on down for more information, but please keep an eye out as we may have more surprises on the way!
Friday, February 5
About Ron Sexsmith
Ron Sexsmith is a three time Juno award winning songwriter from Ontario, Canada. He has written and recorded an extensive and acclaimed catalog of studio albums and original songs, beginning with his self titled debut in 1995. Ron’s latest 2025 release ‘Hangover Terrace’ is his eighteenth studio album. He has recently returned from a successful world tour, across 11 countries, with a new batch of songs and plans to record a forthcoming album in 2027.
In the past few decades as a headlining artist, Ron has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, such as Massey Hall, Carnegie Hall, London’s Royal Albert Hall, as well as The London Palladium.
A child of melody, his music has been described as a hybrid of Canadian folk heroes such as Gordon Lightfoot and Leonard Cohen mingled with that of The Kinks, Beatles and other British invasion acts of his formative years.
Few artists write songs that hold as much of the full range of being human as Ron Sexsmith. From tender ballads to witty social observations, his music gives space for both vulnerability and humour, melancholy and joy.
His songs have been covered by many revered artists such as Rod Stewart, kd Lang, Emmylou Harris, Michael Bublé, Feist, Elvis Costello, and Stevie Nicks to name only a few.
In 2017, Ron penned his first novel ‘Deer Life, A Fairy Tale’ published worldwide by Dundurn Press Limited. He has written a ‘yet to be released’ complete musical score to accompany the tale, for his vision to bring the story to the stage as musical theatre or to adapt to film.
Ron made his theatrical composer debut in 2025 with the internationally renowned Stratford Festival production of ‘As You Like It’ in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.
He currently lives in Perth County, Ontario with his wife, his piano, and his vinyl record collection and continues to be inspired to write, record and perform live worldwide.
Saturday, February 6
About The Free Label
The Free Label is a six-member band from Toronto, Canada, blending 70s disco, 90s R&B, and high-energy funk into an electrifying, dance-driven experience. Since their breakout 2019 single “All Night,” they’ve toured Europe, North America, and Australia, building a loyal fanbase.
Notable Canadian festivals include Mariposa Folk Festival, Laketown Shakedown, and the Calgary Stampede, where they opened for T-Pain, Aqua, and Lupe Fiasco. They’ve also headlined sold-out shows across Canada and the U.S., including SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Their 2023 European tour featured performances in the Netherlands, England, and Luxembourg, opening for Incognito and Mono Neon. The band’s music has received radio play worldwide, including in Canada, the U.S., Indonesia, Turkey, and the Czech Republic.
In 2024, Songs for Sienna, their highly anticipated sophomore album, earned them a prominent spot on the Amazon Music Billboard in Dundas Square, Toronto. With tracks like “Blue Suede” and “Change Your Mind,” the album has received significant praise.
The Free Label’s live performances have seen impressive growth, surpassing 15 million views across social media in the past year alone. Their electrifying stage presence and natural chemistry have made them a rising force in the global music scene.
Collaborating with Grammy-nominated artists like Braxton Cook and producer Aaron Paris (Drake, Kanye West), The Free Label continues to push creative boundaries, keeping fans dancing and eager for more.
About the Artwork Artist
Abby Nowakowski: Abby Nowakowski is a queer interdisciplinary artist based in Central Frontenac. In their practice, they are constantly questioning how their artwork can be used as an activist tool and contribute to the collective creative building of sustainable futures. Abby explores themes of transformative justice, belonging, and hopefulness. Learning lessons from the natural world, Abby often leans towards local flora and wildlife as powerful examples of community building and resistance.
