Blues Hall of Famer Mavis Staples, Grammy-winner Jason Isbell in lineup for 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival
The Winnipeg Folk Festival has released the lineup of artists taking over the stage in its 50th edition, featuring Grammy Award-winning talent, a hall of farmer and some nostalgic Canadian favourites.
From homegrown to international performers, 68 artists are performing at Birds Hill Provincial Park this summer, bringing a wide range of music genres from gospel, funk and R&B to country, rock and several variations of folk.
Among the big names on this year's list is music legend Mavis Staples — a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Blues Hall of Fame, and Gospel Music Hall of Fame — who will perform for her first time at the festival.
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are also making their debut on a Birds Hill park stage this year.
Returning to the summer event is Grammy award-winning musician and activist Ani DiFranco, who made her first appearance there in 1992.
Six-time Grammy winner, singer-songwriter Jason Isbell is also coming back for his first appearance since 2015, alongside the 400 Unit band.
Quebec singer-songwriter Allison Russell, a Grammy-award winner, is also among the headliners, along with the Australian jazz band The Cat Empire.
Among Manitoba's homegrown talent is nostalgic music icon and children's entertainer Fred Penner, Grammy-nominated Winnipeg band The Duhks, and pop singer-songwriter Begonia.
The festival will also feature Indigenous artists, including Métis singer-songwriter Ruby Waters, who is returning to the festival since her first appearance in 2022, and Anishinaabe singer-songwriter Leonard Sumner, from Little Saskatchewan First Nation.
Bringing their talent from outside of Canada are Los Bitchos, an English band pulling together Latin rhythms with Turkish psych rock, metal and disco, Ukraine's Maryna Krut, an artist of the plucked-string bandura instrument, and Ye Vagabonds, an Irish folk duo — all making their first appearances.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
32 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Smirnoff Turns Up the Sound, Spirit, and Celebration at Pride 2025
TORONTO, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Smirnoff is turning the volume up on joy, self-expression, and togetherness this Pride season. As Canada's #1 Vodka¹ and a proud gold sponsor of Pride Toronto, Smirnoff is showing up with a celebration that's as bold and vibrant as the 2SLGBTQI+ community itself. "As we continue our journey in celebrating Canada's diversity and creating vibrant feel-good moments, Pride Toronto has been a valued part of our commitment to building meaningful connections and inclusive experiences," says Nadia Niccoli, Head of Marketing at Diageo Canada. "We're honoured to celebrate alongside our partners and the 2SLGBTQI+ community with high energy, music, and unmistakable Smirnoff vibes." This year, Smirnoff's Pride floa t is a moving celebration of music, visibility, and queer joy. Leading the float will be Rêve, Canadian singer-songwriter and Slater Manzo Toronto-based DJ — two 2SLGBTQI+ allies and creative forces who have built a strong presence within the queer community. Together, they'll deliver a soundtrack of unity and celebration as they headline the float through the heart of downtown Toronto. To keep the celebrations going across the city, Smirnoff is turning up the energy with its immersive "Dive into Pride" Ball Pit experience popping up at two of the city's most iconic events — Village Fest from June 20–22 and the Pride Street Fair from June 27–29. Guests can dive into a playful, colourful escape and soak up the Smirnoff vibes with music, fun photo ops and a chance to score exclusive swag and giveaways throughout the experience. Whether you're dancing in the streets or diving into the pit, Smirnoff invites everyone to show up, be loud, and celebrate Pride 2025—just as they are. Because when WE DO WE, we're unstoppable. To learn more about Smirnoff WE DO WE, please visit About Diageo: Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
Cision Canada
an hour ago
- Cision Canada
Canada's Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program Seeks Next Wave of Canadian Talent Français
Thirteen and Thriving: New partnership with Stingray brings national exposure to emerging artists – including a dedicated Canada's Walk of Fame music channel launching this fall TORONTO, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Now in its 13th year, the Canada's Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program is once again inviting emerging Canadian artists to apply for one of the country's most respected music mentorship opportunities. A proven springboard for rising talent, the program has supported more than 65 artists since its inception, offering national exposure, career development and a meaningful path forward for the next generation of Canadian musicians. Submissions for the 2025 edition are now open through to Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Five solo artists or groups between the ages of 15 and 35 will be selected to receive career-defining prizes and development experiences valued at over $100,000, including industry mentorship, studio time, national media opportunities, and more. For details, visit This year also marks an exciting new chapter in the program's evolution, with the launch of national media partnership with Stingray, one of Canada's leading music and media companies. Through this collaboration, winners and alumni will gain invaluable exposure across Stingray's TV, streaming, digital, and radio platforms - including the debut of a dedicated Canada's Walk of Fame music channel across Stingray's platforms launching in October 2025. This year's Grand Prize winner will receive a $20,000 cash prize, performance slots at key Canada's Walk of Fame events, and a private studio session at Metalworks Studios. The runner-up will receive $10,000, and three additional artists will each be awarded $5,000. All five winners will also receive: For complete rules, eligibility requirements, and to apply, visit SOURCE Canada's Walk of Fame
Toronto Star
13 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Inside the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame banquet with Jose Bautista, Greg Hamilton, Larry Walker, Ernie Whitt, Denis Boucher and more
Guests: Canadian Baseball Hall of Famers Jose Bautista, Greg Hamilton, Larry Walker, Ernie Whitt and Denis Boucher; George and Loris Asay, parents of posthumous inductee Amanda Asay; Carol Lee, daughter of posthumous inductee Arleene Noga This special bonus episode of Deep Left Field comes to you from St. Marys, Ontario, home of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The Hall's induction weekend includes a Friday golf tournament, and a banquet that follows, featuring a casual interview segment with inductees and guests. We take you to the banquet and present, live to tape, the interview session with this year's inductees and their families, as well as stories from past inductees Larry Walker, Ernie Whitt and Denis Boucher, all of whom are on Greg Hamilton's coaching staff for Canada's Senior Men's National Team. Listen here or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can at
