We already know that Mississauga is an award-winning city for music and now there’s even more proof. Students of the Mississauga School of Rock Streetsville have earned a gig at the 2024 world-famous Rock in Rio music festival this summer.
The band, named “House Band” recorded a version of the Foo Fighters song Everlong and submitted it and hoped for the best. Interestingly, the band has been together for only a few months, which speaks to their talent level.

It’s one thing to earn the gig and it’s another to get them there. Sending them to perform at the European festival isn’t cheap and as such, there’s a Go Fund Me campaign with a target goal of $50,000.

School of Rock Stretsville’s Paula Carvalho is rightfully quite proud, as are the students themselves. When asked “what's the most important teachings imparted on your students?” she replied with “we teach our students how to play in a band because we believe it builds confidence and teaches valuable life skills such as respect, perseverance and teamwork.”
She goes on to say “ this acceptance is all about the kids and helping to give students this amazing opportunity. I love youth and believe so strongly in the power of music to heal and to bring people together. It’s so beautiful to see the staff, our students and their parents come together like this.”

Rock in Rio has hosted some remarkable musicians over the years and it’s pretty amazing that our city will be represented in 2024.
The students will be playing 15 min sets Saturday and Sunday at Rock in Rio Lisbon, at Estudio Timout in Lisbon on Monday and at Shoko Madrid on Tuesday.

Speaking to the importance of this achievement for Mississauga, Carvalho says “for Mississauga, this acceptance means an opportunity to showcase our talented youth internationally and to bring more recognition to our city, the recipient of the 2023 Canadian Music City of the Year, as a city that strongly supports music and the arts.”

Support their Go Fund Me campaign here!