WE SPEAK MUSIC: Strong Manitoba Presence at JUNOfest 2014 as CARAS Announces JUNO Week Events

The party of the year is coming to Winnipeg next month!

JUNO Week hits the city March 24-30 with host of exciting events, including the popular two-night music festival, JUNOfest, as well as the JUNO Songwriters' Circle, JUNO Fan Fare, JUNO Cup, and more. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) was in town on February 25 for the lineup announcement, which featured a live performance by local roots trio Sweet Alibi.

Running March 28 through 29 in 15 Winnipeg venues, JUNOfest 2014 will feature over 100 bands from across the country spanning pretty much every genre, including many of this year's nominees and a massive Manitoba presence. 

The confirmed lineup of Manitoba acts hitting JUNOfest stages next month includes 2014 JUNO nominees Royal Canoe and Desiree Dorion, as well as Chic Gamine, Crooked Brothers, Dead Ranch, Distances, Dr. Rage & The Uppercuts, Federal Lights, Grand Analog, Imaginary Cities, Joe Silva, Nathan, Nathan Zahn, Sierra Noble, Sweet Alibi, The Bros. Landreth, The Lytics, and The Treble. 

National touring acts making their way to Winnipeg include nominees A Tribe Called Red, Amanda Rheaume, Anciients, Born Ruffians, Brett Kissel, Chloe Albert, Donovan Woods, Exco Levi, Gord Bamford, Inez Jasper, James Buddy Rogers, Jim Cuddy, Joanna Borromeo, Jordan Raycroft, July Talk, Justin Rutledge, Kobo Town, Lee Harvey Osmond, Noah Pred, Rah Rah, The Darcys, The Strumbellas, The Wilderness of Manitoba, Tim Hicks, plus Jay Malinowski, Mounties, No, Pigeon Park, Reuben And The Dark, Rich Aucoin, and Zombie Assault. 

Venues opening their doors for JUNOfest are Burton Cummings Theatre, The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre (Manitoba House), Whiskey Dix, Exchange Event Centre, Pyramid Cabaret, The Folk Exchange, Windsor Hotel, Le Garage Café, The Zoo, Ozzy’s, Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club, Park Theatre, Union Sound Hall, The Cavern, and West End Cultural Centre.

Wristbands, which are now on sale via Ticketmaster, will get music fans priority access to all JUNOfest venues over the two nights. Individual tickets will also be available at the door. 

CARAS also announced hometown hero Randy Bachman as the host for the JUNO Songwriters' Circle, which will be at the Burton Cummings Theatre on March 30 for an afternoon event including members of July Talk and The Sadies, Shad, and local singer/songwriter Matt Epp, who's co-write with Serena Ryder is part of her Songwriter of the Year nod. Bachman will also be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at The 2014 JUNO Awards Broadcast later that night with his band, Bachman-Turner Overdrive. 

Brett Kissell, Dean Brody, and Gord Bamford were added to the previously-announced performers for The 2014 JUNO Awards Broadcast, which will feature award presenters Sarah McLachlan and Winnipeg's own Olympic gold medalists for Women's Curling. Tickets for the March 30 broadcast are on sale now at Ticketmaster.

Winnipeg will host a wide variety of free public events leaning up to JUNO Week. including many opportunities to hear young, up-and-coming artists at The Forks, Manitoba Legislative Building, Manitoba House, and beyond. Details on all the upcoming events can be found at wespeakmusic.ca. 

Stay tuned for more JUNO Week announcements!