On the Road Again: Local Acts Tour the Festival Circuit in Manitoba

As July winds down, August gears up with a slew of summer music festivals. From Gimli to Lac du Bonnet, follow some of Manitoba’s touring bands as they take their songs and stories to festivals across the province. Check out our Live Music Calendar for live music events every day of the week in and around Winnipeg.

FIRE AND WATER FESTIVAL | August 3-5 | Lac du Bonnet, MB
First up is a smokin’ line up at the Fire & Water Music Festival. Celebrating their sixth year with 30 acts and five stages, Fire & Water offers both free and ticketed concerts and multi-genre programming. Catch Sweet Alibi; The F-Holes; Nathan; The Empty Standards; Aaron Burnett; The Dusty Road Band; Sol James; Demetra; Mariachi Ghost; Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers; Les Jupes; The Perms; and bring the kids to the family entertainment area and artisan market.

ISLENDINGADAGURINN FESTIVAL | August 3-6 | Gimli, MB
Brush up on your Icelandic history at the 123rd Annual Islendingadagurinn Festival. Join the ten mile road race, browse the craft vendors, take in the street performers, and stay for the Alternative Folk Festival at Gimli Park Main Stage with headliners Sweet Alibi; Del Barber; and Dry Bones, a trio made up of Nathan Rogers; Leonard Podolak (The Duhks); and J.D. Edwards. Also playing at the festival are Cannon Bros.; Little House; The Happy Unfortunate; Hey Pilgrim; Mise en Scene; and The Noble Thiefs.

GREAT WOODS MUSIC FESTIVAL | August 9-11 | Great Woods Park, MB
The following weekend, on the edge of Beausejour, is the Great Woods Music Festival. Complete with festival camping, Great Woods has lined up 13 acts including Winnipeg’s Hillbilly Burlesque.

TROUT FOREST MUSIC FESTIVAL | August 10-12 | Ear Falls, ON
Although not quite within the Manitoba border, Trout Forest is produced by Nathan’s Devin Latimer and invites many local acts to take the stage. This year, Federal Lights; Rambling Dan Frechette; Hillbilly Burlesque; The Magnificent 7s; Nathan; Scott Nolan; Fred Penner; Ken Pinchin; Red Moon Road; The Sturgeons; and Woodshed Havoc all take turns to represent friendly Manitoba.

RAINBOW TROUT MUSIC FESTIVAL | August 17-19 | Outskirts of Winnipeg
Dedicated to promoting local talent and Manitoba culture, the Rainbow Trout Music Festival promises music, art, fishing, camping, swimming, and a giant watergun battle set to the soundtrack of local indie rock and folk bands. Ultra Mega; The Empty Standards; Feed the Birds; The Bokononists; Jenny Berkel; Deafwish; The Hoots; Pop Crimes; Ian La Rue; Mitten Claps; Jupiter Storm; Rob Crooks; and Mise En Scene.

HARVEST SUN FESTIVAL | August 17-19 | Kelwood, MB
The Harvest Sun Festival invites music lovers and locavores to celebrate home grown food and talent. Partnering with the Manitoba Farm & Rural Stress Line and Farmers with Disabilities to support those involved in agriculture, Harvest Sun has lined up Romi Mayes & Jay Nowicki; House of Doc; Greg MacPherson; Sons of York; The Young Pixels; Ridley Bent; Lindsay Jane & Marcel Desilets. Be sure to catch the Moody Manitoba Workshop with Rick Neufeld; Cara Luft; Katie Murphy; duo Black-Eyed Suzie; and Rob Waddell.

LOCKPORT DAM FAMILY FESTIVAL | August 17-19 | Lockport, MB
The Lockport Dam Family Festival collects some great music onto their stage with country crooners such as Jason Kirkness; Jason Petric; Keith and Renee; Jerry Sereda; Sol James; and Circuit Breaker, among others.

WINNIPEG BBQ & BLUES FESTIVAL | Aug 17-19 | Winnipeg, MB
If you're city bound, there is never a shortage of live and local music to check out. The inagurral Winnipeg BBW and Blues Festival belts it out with the Kathy Kennedy Blues Band; Scott Nolan; The Perpetrators; Romi Mayes; and Big Dave McLean. Other acts inlcude Little Miss Higgins; The Sojourners; Steve Dawson and more.

ANOLA LITTLE MUSIC FESTIVAL | August 18-19 | The Oost's, Anola, MB
A family friendly event, this one-day festival proudly supports local musicians including: Red Moon Road; James Struthers; The Test Pattern; Trio Bembe; Keri Latimer; The Dusty Roads Band; Kimberly Jane; Jeremy Wells; Rikki and The Sunny Breaks; and one of the festival organizers, Don Amero. More performers to be announced.

MORDEN CORN & APPLE FESTIVAL | August 24-26 | Morden, MB
Designated in 1925 as the Corn and Apple Belt, the people of Morden host their Corn and Apple festival every fourth weekend in August. This year the Kathy Kennedy Blues Band; Del Barber; Keith and Renee; Red Moon Road; Fred Penner; Sweet Alibi; and Romi Mayes rock out while you ride the ferris wheel after your tenth ear of corn.

MATLOCK FESTIVAL | August 25-26 | Matlock, MB
Matlock delivers their third year of festival programming with pop-rock dance duo Phlegm Fatale; Winnipeg’s reggae infused Inna Riddim; Little House; and Brandon’s Sebastian Owl, among others. This year, the festival pairs up with Manitoba Old Tyme Bluegrass Society to offer a banjo workshop during the festival.

SHINE ON FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & ART | August 24-26 | Sandilands, MB
Shine On Festival of Music & Art is an annual festival held at the end of the summer, in celebration of a joyous season coming to a close. Some of the performers this year are:  Kayla Luky; Little House; Mas Headspace; Mitten Claps; The Young Pixels;

HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL | September 14-16 | Clearwater, MB
Although this one takes place in September, it is worth mentioning along with the rest of the great festivals. This year the Harvest Moon Society serves up entertainment by: Imaginary Cities; J.P. Hoe; Del Barber; Al Simmons; Dugas; Greg MacPherson; Andrew Neville and the Poor Choices; Jess Reimer; Federal Lights; David Simmard; Demetra; Jenny Berkel; Mika-Dawn Cavers; Rachael Ashley; The Shake; Kayla Luky; Tom Anniko; and many workshops, local food, and art vendors.