BreakOut West Announces Second Round of Festival Peformers and Much (Much) More

With less than a month away, BreakOut West took over Fort Gibraltar on September 3 for a series of announcements for the upcoming Winnipeg event, which runs October 2-5. New executive director Robyn Stewart and BOW Host Committee chair Sean McManus announced the second round of festival artists and the complete lineup of performers for the Western Canadian Music Awards Gala, which will be hosted at the new Club Regen Event Centre on October 5. Also announced is the lineup for kid-centre event Mini BreakOut West, more details on the weekend's Industry Conference, and the BreakOut West Kickoff Party featuring Dan Mangan. 

The kickoff show will return BreakOut West to Fort Gilbraltar on October 2 for an exciting Winnipeg welcome featuring multiple Western Canadian Music Award winner Mangan, Vancouver duo Pink/Brown, and hometown faves, Yes We Mystic. Tickets are $20 and available at the Folk Festival Music Store and Music Trader.

The kickoff leads the way for performances by more than 50 bands and musicians from across Western Canada at the multi-genre BreakOut West 2014 Festival, which runs October 3-4. Joining the previously-announced list of festival performers is a healthy dose of homegrown 2014 WCMA nominees, including Chez Willi, Jeff Presslaff, Latka, Little Miss Higgins & The Winnipeg Five, Marco Castillo, marijosée, and 2014 Hall of Fame inductee Fred Penner. Amber Epp, Crooked Brothers, Hana Lu Lu, Indicator Indicator, Mise en Scene, Shotgun Jimmie, The Revival, Trio Bembe, Waster, and Yes We Mystic will also hit the showcase stage, along with talent from Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, and the Yukon. Festival wristbands are $20 and available for purchase at the door, and in advance at the Folk Festival Music Store and Music Trader. Check out the complete lineup  and schedule

The two-day festival will be held at venues across Winnipeg including Eckhart-Gramatte Hall, Le Garage, Maw’s Beer Hall, Maw’s Eatery and Bar, Ozzy’s, Park Theatre, Shannon’s Irish Pub, Cavern, The Folk Exchange, Pyramid Cabaret, Windsor Hotel, The Zoo, Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club, and West End Cultural Centre. 

BreakOut West is also an amazing opportunity to connect with and learn from influential industry delegates from across Canada and beyond. Taking place at The Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg, the BreakOut West Conference includes information sessions followed by themed workshops and breakout sessions specifically designed for industry delegates and artists. This year's list of topics includes new music revenue streams, live songwriting sessions, a music supervisor round table session, audience and artist development, and festival and showcasing tips, plus BOW's popular daily, one-on-one mentoring sessions. Check out the conference schedule

This year's Industry Awards Brunch, which recognizes those working primarily behind-the-scenes in the music community, will take place at the Fairmont on Oct 4 and feature Winnipeg radio personality and champion Ace Burpee on hosting duties. Featuring performances by The Sojourners and The Bros. Landreth, and a tribute to this year's WCMA Industry Builder Award recipient, the inimitable Kevin Walters. 

The party gets started early on October 5, the Manitoba Children’s Museum will host the kid’s festival showcase, Mini BreakOut West. Featuring performances by this year's WCMA nominees for Children's Recording of the Year -- including Manitoba's Madame Diva, Seanster and the Monsters, and Lulu et le Matou -- plus the legendary Fred Penner, the event is free with $10 admission to the Children's Museum.

And finally... the big ticket event... The Western Canadian Music Awards Gala will come to the new Club Regent Event Centre on October 5. Audiences can catch performances from some of Western Canada’s most popular acts, including Pigeon Hole & Evil Ebenezer, The Deep Dark Woods, Brandon Isaak, Joe Nolan, Dan Mangan, Federal Lights, marijosée, Del Barber, Heritage Award recipient Ron Paley, and Fred Penner. Host by CBC Radio 3's Grant Lawrence, the event will also see the hardware handed out to the 2014 WCMA nominees. Tickets for the Gala are $40 and can be purchased from ticketmaster.ca.

For more info and live updates, follow BreakOut West on Twitter @breakoutwest #BOW2014