Hamilton turns up the volume for its own

HammerTone 2026 – a musical house party and love letter to the city – will bring together professional musicians, along with some folks from local media and businesses, to jam to some K-Tel classics in support of St. Matt’s. The fundraiser is Nov. 26 at Bridgeworks. 

There are concerts. There are fundraisers. And then there are those rare Hamilton nights when the room, the music, and the people come together in a way that feels unmistakably like this city.

HammerTone 2026 is shaping up to be one of those nights.

On Nov. 26, Bridgeworks will become the setting for a one-night celebration of Hamilton’s musical soul, bringing together a rotating lineup of artists, a killer house band, great stories, plenty of humour, and some unexpected musical collaborations — all in support of St. Matt’s.

Presented by St. Matt’s and longtime Hamilton music promoter Lou Molinaro, HammerTone is being billed as a love letter to the city’s “gritty, gorgeous music scene,” bringing artists from different generations together on one stage. 

 “Hamilton is a city defined by its grit and resilience. Whenever a need arises, our community never hesitates to step up,” says Molinaro.

“A prime example of this spirit is Hamilton’s vibrant music scene. Local musicians are deeply invested in the city's future, using their passion to advocate for positive changes that benefit everyone. We are also welcoming members of Hamilton’s media and local business communities – passionate music fans who are equally enthusiastic about coming together to support St. Matt’s this year.”

And there’s a wonderfully nostalgic twist.

The evening’s musical inspiration comes from the legendary K-Tel compilation albums – those gloriously eclectic collections that put rock, pop, disco, soul, and the occasional musical curveball side by side. HammerTone takes that same anything-can-happen spirit and puts it live on stage. 

Think less traditional concert, more musical house party: performers stepping into the spotlight for a song or two, familiar music reimagined, stories shared and collaborations you’re unlikely to see anywhere else.

Luke Bentham of The Dirty Nil is one of the headlining musicians. His father, Brent Bentham, is a long-time St. Matt’s board member and Luke has seen first hand the impact. 

“St. Matt’s is a fantastic organization and serves vulnerable citizens in a critical way,” Luke says. “I’m proud of my father and all his efforts to improve the lives of our fellow Hamiltonians.”

But beneath the fun is a serious purpose.

Every dollar raised through HammerTone supports St. Matt’s and its work with children, families, seniors, and people experiencing housing and food insecurity. From emergency food and senior supports to street outreach, childcare, and deeply affordable housing at 412 Barton, St. Matt’s has been woven into Hamilton’s lower-city community for decades. 

“Hamilton's musicians know what it means to sometimes live on the edges,” says St. Matt’s executive director Renée Wetselaar, a former musician herself.

“To see these amazingly talented folks rally around some of our most pressing issues right now – homelessness, food insecurity, mental health, addiction and living below the poverty line – isn't surprising. These artists care, they understand and they see what it means to be able to lift each other up. Music is the joy they can share to help bring a little light to these edges and reach the most vulnerable people in the city.”

That combination – music, community, nostalgia and a cause that is deeply rooted in Hamilton – may be exactly what makes HammerTone special.

Bridgeworks. Nov. 26. One stage. A room full of people who love Hamilton.

This is Hamilton showing up for Hamilton. You’ll want to be in the room.

Jane Allison is the donor relations and communications officer for St. Matt’s.

Confirmed artists so far are (in no specific order):

Tyler Kyte (Dwayne Gretzky) & Lisa SQ

Luke Bentham (Dirty Nil)

Danny Miles (July Talk)

Brian West (Y108)

Chrisy Hurn (Basement Revolver)

Jon Harvey (Wild High/Monster Truck)

Mark Sasso (Elliott Brood)

Chelsea McWilliams & Tim Allard (Red Hill Valleys)

Sean Jones

Edgar Breau & Bob Bryden

Whitness

Lily Sazz

Meredith MacLeod (Hamilton City Magazine)

Carrie Clark

Lindy Vopnfjord

David Premi (DPA Architecture Inc)

George Panagapolis (Doctor Tongue)

Backing up HammerTone guests - The Kay-Tells

(Dean Fulton, Ashley Sloggett, Stephen Pitkin, Justine Fischer, Paige Thompson, Matty Simpson, Rachel Jones, Kurt Tweedle)

NEED TO KNOW

HammerTone 2026

A fundraiser in support of St. Matt's

Nov. 26, doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.

Bridgeworks

200 Caroline St N, Hamilton

Tickets here