Sarah Harmer, Jeremie Albino and Cadence Weapon are among the acclaimed Canadian artists coming to downtown Belleville for the Beautiful View Music Festival on Sept. 18 and 19.
Now in its second year, the homegrown festival founded by musicians Hannah Georgas and Sean Sroka is returning with bigger artists, a completely new lineup and an expanded two-day program.
A fresh lineup for Beautiful View
For Georgas and Sroka, the second edition builds on years of preparation and lessons from their inaugural festival.
Returning volunteers and feedback from venue teams are helping the organizers refine the experience for everyone involved.
“Everything was new last year, so the stress levels were heightened.
This year, we know how it goes. We have a year under our belt.”
This year’s lineup reflects their commitment to introducing audiences to different performers while bringing established Canadian talent to Belleville.
Georgas says thoughtful programming is central to the festival’s identity.
“It’s another thing that we put a lot of attention into: the curation of the artists that are playing. The people that are coming to see these shows like to see new music. I think it’s really important to keep things fresh.”
For Georgas, welcoming Sarah Harmer is especially meaningful.
A fan since her teens, she later developed a friendship with the Kingston-based musician.
Harmer was approached for the first festival but could not participate because of scheduling.
“She was another artist that we reached out to the first year and due to scheduling she couldn’t do it. We were just so happy that she could make it happen this year.”
Intimate shows made for listening
Beautiful View is designed for music lovers who want to immerse themselves in a performance, discover an unfamiliar voice and connect with the music.
“This is a listening event: you’re there to discover and take in the festival. It’s all about the curation of finding incredible artists we put a lot of care and thought into choosing.”
Georgas draws inspiration from her experience performing at Newport Folk Fest, where audiences trust the programming to deliver both beloved performers and exciting discoveries.
She and Sroka hope to build that same confidence in Beautiful View.
Their attention extends to the atmosphere inside each venue.
“We put a lot of thought into making the room feel vibey, intimate and great.”
As a performer herself, Georgas also understands how sound, lighting and hospitality shape an artist’s experience.
Making musicians feel welcome and supported is part of creating memorable shows for audiences.
Putting Belleville on the touring map
Beyond the weekend’s performances, the founders want Beautiful View to help strengthen Belleville’s music scene and demonstrate its potential as a touring destination.
“As for indie touring musicians, there’s something called the 401 East Run, which means you play Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, and then you go home. Belleville gets missed.”
The festival offers an opportunity to change that pattern, bringing touring artists downtown and giving audiences another reason to experience live music close to home.
“We are wanting to put a template down for agents and managers to be like: there is a scene here, we are a place that has music happening.”
By pairing established names with artists audiences may be hearing for the first time, Beautiful View offers more than a weekend of concerts.
It invites music lovers to slow down, listen closely and experience some of Canada’s most compelling performers in the heart of Belleville.
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