Stratford’s free outdoor summer concert series wraps up this Friday with a performance by The Young Novelists in Market Square. The Toronto-based folk-rock duo will take the stage on July 3, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. behind City Hall, marking the final show of the 2026 Market Square Music series.
The duo, Graydon James and Laura Spink, are fresh off their first-ever JUNO Award nomination earlier this year. Their latest album “These Dark Canyons” earned the nod in the Contemporary Roots Album of the Year category. The two are known for tight harmonies and storytelling lyrics that earned them a Canadian Folk Music Award in 2015.
The Market Square Music series is produced by Stratford’s own Juno-nominated singer-songwriter Dayna Manning. The Friday night concerts have been a downtown staple since May 29, bringing a mix of local and regional talent to the heart of the city. The series regularly draws residents to the open community space behind City Hall for an hour of live music.
The Young Novelists have been playing together since 2009, building a loyal following with their folk-rock sound. Their 2015 album “made us strangers” won the Canadian Folk Music Award for New and Emerging Artist, and they have appeared at festivals across the country. Friday’s show gives Stratford a chance to catch a band riding a wave of national recognition.
Attendees should bring their own chairs. In case of rain, the concert will move to Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
