Secretly Canadian Marks 30 Years With Three Nights in Bloomington

Secretly Canadian will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a three-night concert series in its hometown of Bloomington, Indiana. The event, called What Comes After the Blues: Secretly 30, runs from August 27 to 29 across three local venues: the Bluebird, Buskirk-Chumley Theater, and Switchyard Park.

The lineup draws directly from the label’s history. Opening night at the Bluebird features June Panic, whose 1996 album Glory Hole was Secretly Canadian’s first ever release. Also on that bill is Early Day Miners, a band formed in Bloomington that included members of Ativin, another early signee. Other acts will be announced closer to the dates.

This is the first major event in a year-long rollout for the label’s 30th. The choice of venues matters here. Each space is tied to the label’s origin story and its ongoing connection to the community. Secretly Canadian started in a Bloomington basement in 1996, founded by Chris Swierk and brothers Ben and Darius Swierk. Since then, it has grown into one of the most respected independent labels in the U.S., home to artists like Anohni, Whitney, and Damien Jurado.

The series title nods to the label’s first compilation, What Comes After the Blues, released in 1997. It suggests a return to roots, not just a victory lap. For a label that has always prized place and patience, this feels like the right kind of anniversary gesture.