James Barker Band

On March 22, 2026, James Barker Band rolls into The Arena in Pickering. Built around singer-guitarist James Barker, the Ontario outfit — Barker with Taylor Abram, Bobby Martin and Connor Stephen — has been shaping a contemporary country sound since the mid-2010s. Expect tight, melodic hooks, electric guitars pushed to the front, and lyrics that look straight at everyday life, small towns and relationships.

Spotted after a breakout moment at the Boots and Hearts showcase in 2015, the band stacked radio singles across Canada before dropping the EP Game On in 2017 on Universal Music Canada, followed by Singles Only in 2019. Since then they’ve deepened ties with Nashville, toured on both sides of the border and cut New Old Trucks with Dierks Bentley, a track that underlines their balance of radio-ready country and a rock edge made for the stage. In Pickering, they bring that mix to a bigger room, with songs that stick and a band tight enough to make them hit.