Ten Manitoba Acts to Showcase at Folk Music Ontario
The tour vans are packed and the banjos are getting a new set of strings as 10 emerging Manitoba folk and roots acts travel to Mississauga for the Folk Music Ontario (FMO) conference. Formerly known as the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF), FMO offers showcasing acts a chance to perform for influential artistic directors, presenters, as well as national and international industry organizations. Manitoba Music will present three chances to catch the artists live at the 27th annual event, which runs October 17-20.
Manitoba Music has organized market development and showcasing opportunities for the Manitoba acts to present themselves both on stage and off to some of this country’s most influential members of the national folk, traditional, and roots music scene. The annual conference features four days of performances, workshops, special events, and panel discussions.
Manitoba Music will once again host showcases on October 18 and 19, including the sixth annual Manitoba Brunch on Saturday. Artists will also have the chance to take part in a trade show and network with top festival and talent buyers, record labels, managers, and more.
This year’s performers include some of Manitoba’s acclaimed touring acts and hottest up-and-coming performers from the local folk and roots scene, including The Bros. Landreth, Claire Morrison, Emma Cloney, Fish and Bird, Ingrid Gatin, Jenny Berkel, Jess Reimer, Red Moon Road, Rhianna Rae Saj, and Sweet Alibi. The Bros. Landreth also have a coveted official FMO showcase spot.
Bringing Manitoba music to new geographic areas and finding new markets to intensify trade activity in existing markets is a key component of Manitoba Music's trade and business development project, which is funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Through events like these, Manitoba Music is able to increase the level of awareness and connection between our province’s music industry and the broader national and international industry, which is vital to the career advancement of Manitoba artists and industry professionals. Over the years, Manitoba Music has presented successful showcases throughout Canada, the U.S., England, and Germany, including at major music events like South by Southwest, The Great Escape, North by Northeast, International Folk Alliance, and more.
For the Manitoba showcase schedule and streaming audio from the bands, please visit manitobamusic.com/folk