CosmoFEST 2023 | June 3, 2023

Arrive Early — First 300 Get Event Day Gift Vouchers

Just before the store opens, we are giving away a total of $10,000 in Cosmo Music Gift Vouchers to the FIRST 300 people on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE basis in the opening lineup at CosmoFEST. On June 3rd, you have the chance to receive a minimum of $25 up to $1,000 to spend. Giveaway Gift Vouchers can only be redeemed in-store or in the EXPO Tent between 9 am to 6 pm on event day. Be sure to arrive early to grab your spot in line — the last CosmoFEST lineup got BIG!

Take advantage of these event day deals! Hundreds of brands will be discounted in our retail store and the EXPO Tent on Saturday, June 3rd: 15% off in-stock and 10% off out-of-stock and available to order (some brands are not participating). Save on tens of thousands of different instruments, gear, and accessories. Sale is in-store only (retail store or EXPO Tent) at CosmoFEST.

54•40

Main Stage — 7 pm

Meet & Greet — 2 pm

54·40 was our choice for our planned CosmoFEST 2020, but unfortunately the world had other plans for live music for a few years. Neil Osborne promised and delivered to drop the hammer at last July’s special invitational concert at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts – this will be a live event not to be missed.

Main Stage — 5 pm

Lighthouse, one of Canada’s favourite classic rock bands, is turning 50, and inviting Canadians across the country to join the celebration at CosmoFEST! Lighthouse burst on the scene in 1969, with an explosive sound that defied all conventions. Between 1970 and 1973 they were awarded four Junos, four gold albums, and Canada’s first platinum album for Lighthouse Live. Hits such as "One Fine Morning", "Sunny Days", "Hats Off (To the Stranger)", "1849", and "Pretty Lady" raced to the top of Canadian and international charts.

Main Stage — 3:30 pm

The Cosmo Music ensemble, Cosmo Soul Express Band was born out of the need for good music. In 2004, the Cosmo Music team and some industry partners were looking for a band to perform in the downtimes after musical conferences. After doing due diligence and looking for a good local band, they realized one thing — they were all talented musicians in their own right. Now, we are lucky to have them grace the main stage once again at CosmoFEST!

Main Stage — 2 pm

Elton Rohn, Canada's premiere Elton John tribute band, thrills audiences everywhere. One of Cosmo Music's favourites for CosmoFEST, they have headlined over 350 theatres and festival shows in North America. From Las Vegas to Atlantic City, California, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Myrtle Beach, Pennsylvania, across Michigan and upstate New York, and all across Canada. They were the only Elton John tribute asked to play the Elton John convention in Las Vegas.

Main Stage — 12:30 pm

There is nothing like a Bryan Adams tribute band at CosmoFEST. What makes it better is that this one features Cosmo Music's very own Guitar Specialist Rob Vendrasco. Reckless Bryan kicks off the day with those summer sounds and upbeat vibes to the main stage. The band brings the sound and the look of the Canadian born rock icon Bryan Adams to you. Why? Because the boys still 'wanna' rock!

Lari Basilio

Sponsored by Laney and Launch Music

Cosmopolitan Music Hall — 11:30 am

$30 VIP, $15 General Admission

Tickets will be Available on Thursday, May 4 at 1 pm

Prize Giveaway Attendees will be entered to win a UK built Laney Monolith, Secret Path, and Difference Engine effect pedals mounted to a Warwick RockBoard including accessories from Warwick RockCable ($1,632.39).

Meet & Greet — 1 pm

Lari Basilio is an industry legend, partner with Laney Amplification and Launch Music, and is someone we are excited to welcome to CosmoFEST. In January 2021 Lari Basilio released, in partnership with Ibanez, her first signature guitar, the Ibanez LB1, which is already one of Ibanez’s best-selling signature models alongside Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. The guitar also features the Lari Basilio signature pickups developed in partnership with Seymour Duncan.

Paul Reed Smith

Sponsored by PRS

Cosmopolitan Music Hall — 2:30 pm

Free General Admission Tickets will be Available on Thursday, May 4 at 1 pm

Prize Giveaway Attendees of the either the David Grissom or Paul Reed Smith clinics will be entered to win a PRS SE DGT David Grissom Signature Gold Top Guitar ($1,149)

Meet & Greet — noon

Can you remember the last time Paul Reed Smith demo'd in Canada? Well, we can tell you the next time...CosmoFEST 2023! Paul Reed Smith is better known as the founder and CEO of PRS Guitars, which he launched in 1985 in Annapolis. With operations now located in Stevensville, Maryland, it has grown into a world-renowned business, providing axes for the likes of Carlos Santana and Dave Navarro.

David Grissom

Sponsored by PRS

Cosmopolitan Music Hall — 4 pm

$30 VIP, $15 General Admission Tickets will be Available on Thursday, May 4 at 1 pm

Prize Giveaway Attendees of the either the David Grissom or Paul Reed Smith clinics will be entered to win a PRS SE DGT David Grissom Signature Gold Top Guitar ($1,149)

Meet & Greet — noon

David Grissom is legendary guitarist who has played and toured with several heavy hitting bands and recording artists. Best known for his work with John Mellencamp, he has also released four solo albums: Loud Music, 10,000 Feet, Way Down Deep, and How It Feels to Fly. In close collaboration Grissom plays a PRS guitar and has for most of his career.

OVER 160 BRANDS & OVER 100 EXPERTS

We will have a full EXPO Tent: 14,000+ square feet, 100+ builders and product experts, and 160+ leading brands. Our suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers are just as excited as we are! And as a result, they've generously donated some absolutely incredible grand prizes (total value over $25,000) that will need to find new homes.

Be sure to visit and engage with them at their booth — this is your unique opportunity to:

• Talk directly to the builders, engineers, product specialists, and artists

• Test drive new gear hands-on

• Enter every grand prize draw

Watch out! It looks like we've started another Food Truck festival. There will be a variety of food choices available at CosmoFEST from jerk chicken to pizza, to churros. The large, shaded beer garden will be run by Ontario's own Nickel Brook Brewing Company, offering a wide selection of drinks combined with an impeccable view of the main stage. Eat, drink, and celebrate Canadian music in style.

Listening to great music takes energy, that's why we've tailored the selections of food and drink at CosmoFEST to keep your motors going all day long.

Bringing Live music to Richmond Hill and Beyond!

• Outside Store Entrance

• Contact steffi.g@yropenmic.com to schedule your spot

• First-come, first-serve spots available on event day as well

• Keyboard, guitar, and PA provided; must bring any other instruments

• Solo/duo/trio allowed

• Two song slot with possibility of more if there is space

York Region Open Mic (YROM) has never been just an Open Mic. Since 2012, they have not only brought residents of Richmond Hill and York Region to the music, they have brought music to Richmond Hill and beyond! They have hosted regular weekly Open Mics at Big Daddy’s, Yogi’s, The Grill, La Sicilian, the Falcon and Firkin, London Pub, and of course twice-weekly at the open mic stage in Starbucks at Cosmo Music. This year, the YROM stage at CosmoFEST will feature local performers drawn from the amazing Open Mic community!

What's Different This Year?

There is no registration or wristbands for CosmoFEST 2023, so you will not get a confirmation email when you RSVP. The RSVP is let us know you are coming, and in return you are entered into the gift card draw.

Offering Employee Pricing

Looking to do more? You can volunteer at CosmoFEST! This is your opportunity to get in on the ground-floor of a rocking good time. All volunteers participating in CosmoFEST will receive a t-shirt, food and drink, AND Cosmo Music employee pricing on all items that we carry for 30 days after event day.

We cannot guarantee that schools will accept this as Community Involvement hours for high school students. But, if you do verify it's approved, we are more than happy to sign off on any hours you work.

Application period has closed