DUNNVILLE—After a sold-out inaugural event in Stoney Creek last summer, the producers of the Rhune Mountain Music Festival are bringing their three-day, heavy-rock themed event to the No. 6 RCAF Museum in Dunnville from June 26-28, 2025.
Black Throne Productions CEO Ryan Hilton and representative Randylin Carter made a successful presentation on the festival at a recent Council-in-Committee meeting, where they obtained Council support for a temporary use bylaw that would allow ticket holders to camp on site for the duration of the festival.
The organizer noted that ticket sales would be capped at 600 attendees, with Community and Development Services Manager Mike Evers adding that the staff-recommended one-year bylaw to permit camping – as opposed to the requested three-year bylaw – is to ensure the event runs smoothly and proves to be a right fit for the venue.
Hilton and Carter shared some insight into the festival and what attendees can expect in a letter to The Press.
They described the festival, dubbed ‘Vol. 2’, as a ‘cocktail napkin’ idea that led to a collaboration between themselves and veteran musician Paul Cameron.
“After noticing a lack of consistent representation in the Ontario festival scene for doom and heavy rock, Ryan and Paul began building a team of people to support the idea of bringing the festival to life,” read the letter.
Last year’s inaugural festival came together in just three months.
Held on a private property, it lasted 1.5 days and featured “27 bands, two stages, a vendor market, and a large campground.”
The pair described the Dunnville museum grounds as a “unique and atmospheric setting”.
Camping at the festival is all about “embracing the full festival experience. Whether you’re pitching a tent or rolling in with an RV, it’s a classic bring-your-own setup designed for music lovers who want to stay close to the action all weekend long.” Amenities will include washrooms, site lighting, and limited power hookups.
They envision festivals like this as a great way to bring new people to the community, boosting local tourism and creating a “lasting cultural footprint in Dunnville.”
Local distillers and caterers will be on-hand to provide food and drink, along with merchandise vendors for the participating bands.
This year’s event, held on two indoor stages, will see 37 bands perform. This includes three Canadian headliners: Indian Handcrafts from Barrie, Ontario, Sons of Arrakis, and Dopethrone, both from Montreal, Quebec.
From the US, fans can catch Ecstatic Vision, Gozu, Shadow of Jupiter, and Sonic Taboo. Making their North American debut will be Acid Mamoth, travelling from Greece to perform.
Many regional bands from Welland, Stoney Creek, Hamilton, and Toronto will join the above performers as well.
“Our target audience has no age, but the community is diverse and inclusive with many walks of life,” read the letter. “(This music) keeps evolving and interweaving with many other genres like metal, doom, and even punk aspects. The line-up itself features a wide variety of sounds, from old-school heavy rock, to heavy psychedelic, and doom.”
The pair said this year’s event would be an “intentional monetary loss” for organizers to “provide all the necessary requirements like security, acoustics testing, and first aid,” while keeping ticket prices “way below” comparable festivals to “encourage tourism and repeat visitors to Dunnville and surrounding area,” while ensuring artists are fairly compensated for performing as well.
They hope the event takes root, turning into a yearly festival that can “break stereotypes and uplift local talent.”
Further event details can be found by following the Rhune Mountain Music Festival page on Facebook and Instagram, including how to purchase tickets.
“If you’re a fan of heavy music, community vibes, and unforgettable live experiences, Rhune is the place to be. This isn’t just a festival – it’s a movement built by passionate people for passionate people,” concluded the letter. “Whether you’re a long-time fan of psych, doom, or stoner rock, or just looking to discover something new, Rhune offers a welcoming and electrifying atmosphere for everyone.”
