Winnipeg Folk Festival Unveils 40th Annual Lineup

It may be minus double digits right now, but it's not too early to think about music in the sunshine.

The Winnipeg Folk Festival announced the lineup for its 40th annual event, which will take over Birds Hill Park July 10-14. Audiences will have five nights and three days for musical discovery, including a diverse line-up of internationally-acclaimed Manitoba talent.

The list of homegrown music acts hitting festival stages features Juno-nominated roots breakout Del Barber; globetrotting bluegrass/folk quartet Oh My Darling, which hits the mainstage on opening night; singer/songwriter Nathan Rogers, who will be on mainstage on Friday for a special performance of the songs of legendary father, Stan Rogers; soulful roots outfit The JD Edwards Band; bluegrass five-piece The Magnificent 7s; and Francophone children's performer Madame Diva (not to mention half of roots duo Whitehorse, Manitoba-born Luke Doucet). Also on site for this year's festival: Peter Paul Van Camp (practice your little prairie flowers, people), The Poor Fools Comedy, and family act Seanster and the Monsters.

Touring acts heading to this year's festival include City and Colour, Indigo Girls, Martin Sexton, Patrick Watson, Xavier Rudd, Serena Ryder, The Decemberists' Colin Meloy, The Avett Brothers, and many (many) more. Click here to see the full lineup.

“I’m proud of the way the 2013 line-up celebrates folk music with artists that span generations and genres," said artistic director Chris Frayer in a release. "Our audience will get re-acquainted with artists from the 1974 Festival and performers with a strong sense of tradition, and they will discover many exciting artists who are leading the new folkmusic revival of the twenty-first century." 

You'll have to wait until the end of April for the full schedule to be released before you can plan out what you're going to see, but there's sure to be plenty of chances to see local talent throughout the weekend, including the popular Manitoba artists workshop that has wowed thousands every year. 

Early bird tickets go on sale at 11am on March 16 through the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store or Ticketmaster.