Live Band Gananoque and Thousand Islands River Cats
Pop, rock, funk, and country for events across the Thousand Islands region.
Kingston-Based, 30 Minutes from Gananoque
Live music for the Thousand Islands and Leeds and Grenville County
River Cats are a live band based in Kingston, Ontario, about a 30-minute drive from Gananoque. That puts us right next door to the Thousand Islands region, and we have been playing shows there for years. If you are putting together an event anywhere in Leeds and Grenville County, we are a short trip away and ready to play.
We play a mix of pop, rock, funk, and country. The setlist covers decades of music that people actually want to hear, from classic rock staples to current radio hits to dance-floor funk. We read the room and adjust on the fly. A cottage party at 4 p.m. gets a different energy than a packed wedding reception at 10 p.m., and we know the difference.
The Thousand Islands corridor has been part of our regular rotation since we started. We have played the 1000 Islands Ribfest in Gananoque, the Joel Stone Park Music Series on the Gananoque waterfront, and private events at venues and properties across the region. We know the area, we know the stages, and we know how to handle the logistics that come with waterfront and outdoor shows in this part of Ontario.
Where We Play in the Region
Gananoque, Brockville, Prescott, and everywhere in between
Our coverage across Leeds and Grenville County is straightforward. We play regularly in Gananoque and have done shows in Brockville and Prescott as well. Whether the venue is a waterfront park, a banquet hall, a restaurant patio, or a backyard on the river, we will be there with our gear and a full setlist. We are also a live band in Kingston, so anything along the 401 corridor between Kingston and Brockville is well within our range.
Towns and Areas We Cover
- Gananoque Waterfront festivals, bar gigs, private events, and community celebrations
- Brockville Venues, corporate functions, and downtown events
- Prescott Community events, private parties, and local festivals
- Thousand Islands Cottage parties, lakeside celebrations, and island events
- Leeds and Grenville County Rural venues, fairgrounds, and countryside properties
Summer Events and the Tourism Season
Waterfront shows, cottage parties, and summer festivals
The Thousand Islands region comes alive in the summer, and so does our calendar. Between June and September, the area fills with tourists, cottage renters, and locals looking for things to do on warm evenings. Live music is a big part of that. We have played outdoor stages right on the Gananoque waterfront with the St. Lawrence River as a backdrop, and we have done smaller sets at cottage gatherings where the audience is 30 people on a dock.
Summer festivals in this region draw solid crowds, and we have the stage experience to match. The Joel Stone Park Music Series runs through the warm months and puts bands right on the water in downtown Gananoque. Ribfest brings thousands of people out for a weekend. These are the kinds of shows we are built for: high energy, big sound, and a crowd that is there to have a good time.
If you are planning a lakeside wedding, a cottage weekend with live music, or a dock party for Canada Day, we have done all of those. We are comfortable playing outdoors, we bring our own PA and sound equipment suited for open-air settings, and we know how to project without blowing out a backyard gathering. The Thousand Islands is one of the best places in Ontario for outdoor events, and we are happy to be part of that scene.
Events We Play
Weddings, corporate events, private parties, festivals, and bar gigs
We play just about any event where people want live music. The Thousand Islands region has a strong wedding market, with venues along the river, in Gananoque, and across the surrounding countryside. We have played wedding receptions where the couple wanted wall-to-wall dancing, and others where the request was more laid-back dinner music with a few upbeat sets to close the night. Either way, we build the setlist around what you need. If you are looking for a wedding band in Eastern Ontario, we would be glad to talk about your plans.
Event Types
- Weddings Ceremonies, cocktail hours, receptions, and after-parties at Thousand Islands venues
- Corporate Events Team retreats, client appreciation nights, holiday parties, and conferences
- Private Parties Birthdays, anniversaries, cottage weekends, and backyard gatherings
- Festivals Ribfest, Canada Day, waterfront concert series, and community fairs
- Bar and Venue Gigs Restaurants, pubs, and entertainment venues in Gananoque, Brockville, and Prescott
- Charity and Fundraisers Benefit concerts and community fundraising events
Corporate retreats are common in this area too. Companies book lakeside properties or conference venues in Gananoque and Brockville for team-building weekends, and live music is often part of the evening program. We have done these events before and know how to fit into a structured schedule without being asked twice.
What We Sound Like
Pop, rock, funk, and country that fits the crowd
River Cats play a blend of pop, rock, funk, and country. That is not a list of genres we dabble in. It is what we do every show. A typical set moves from Fleetwood Mac to Bruno Mars to Johnny Cash to the Tragically Hip without missing a beat. The transitions are smooth because the songs are arranged for our lineup, not just copied off a karaoke track.
We tailor every set to the event. A Friday night bar gig in Brockville gets a heavier rock and funk lean. A Saturday afternoon waterfront show in Gananoque might start mellow and build. A wedding reception gets a mix that keeps grandparents and university friends on the same dance floor. We discuss the setlist with you ahead of time so there are no surprises, and we take requests during the show when it makes sense.
Outdoor-Ready Sound and Gear
Prepared for parks, waterfronts, and open-air stages
A lot of events in the Thousand Islands happen outdoors. Parks, patios, docks, fields, and waterfront stages are the norm between May and October. For private events and smaller outdoor shows, we bring our own PA and IEM system. For larger festivals that provide their own sound and backline, we work with whatever is available on site. Either way, we handle our setup and are ready to go.
We have played Joel Stone Park on the Gananoque waterfront, open fields at rural properties, and covered patios at bars and restaurants. Each setting has different acoustics and we adjust on site as needed.
How to Book
Four steps from first message to show day
Booking is simple. Hit the contact button on this page and tell us the basics: date, location, type of event, and approximate guest count. A band member will get back to you to discuss the details, including timing, setlist direction, and any special requests. Once we agree on everything, we lock in the date and confirm logistics. On the day of the event, we show up on time, set up, play, and pack out.
We book events across the Thousand Islands region year-round, but summer dates go fast. If you have a specific date in mind for a Gananoque or Brockville event, reach out early to make sure we are available. We are flexible on set lengths, start times, and format, so even if your event is not a standard three-hour gig, we can work something out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about booking River Cats in the Thousand Islands
Can River Cats play events in Gananoque and the Thousand Islands?
Yes. We are based in Kingston, about 30 minutes from Gananoque. We have played Ribfest, the Joel Stone Park Music Series, and private events across the Thousand Islands region. We also cover Brockville and Prescott.
Does River Cats play waterfront and outdoor events in the Thousand Islands?
Yes. We have played outdoor waterfront shows in Gananoque and lakeside events across the region. We bring our own sound equipment suited for outdoor settings.
What events does River Cats play in Leeds and Grenville County?
We play weddings, corporate events, private parties, festivals, and bar gigs across Leeds and Grenville County including Gananoque, Brockville, and Prescott.
How far in advance should I book for a summer event?
Summer weekends in the Thousand Islands fill up quickly. We recommend reaching out at least two to three months ahead for peak season dates between June and September. For weddings and large festivals, earlier is better.
Does the band provide their own sound equipment?
We carry our own PA and IEM system for private events and smaller shows. For larger events and festivals that provide backline, we work with what is available on site.