Nine Manitoba Roots Acts to Showcase at Folk Alliance International in Kansas City

Manitoba roots artists are packing up their parkas and instruments and heading south to Missouri this month. Nine local acts are gearing up to showcase at the Folk Alliance International Conference (FAI), the premier professional development conference focused on folk, roots, multicultural, and world music in North America. The 28th annual event runs February 17-21 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The showcase is the latest in a series of partnered events with SaskMusic, Alberta Music, and MusicBC under the BreakOut West banner. The lineup boasts over 30 acts in total, including Manitoba performers Kayla Luky, Leaf Rapids, Matt Epp, Quinton Blair, Red Moon Road, Scott Nolan, Slow Leaves, Sweet Alibi, and The Small Glories. Other Western Canadian artists include Saskatchewan's Kacy and Clayton, Alberta's Doll Sisters, BC's The Fretless, and many more. See the complete schedule   

Manitoba's reputation for its strong roots scene is well known. Homegrown talent -- including many acts who've graced the FAI showcase rooms -- have built solid careers, garnering attention from major media outlets, and touring to sold-out halls throughout North American, Europe, Australia, and beyond. In the last decade alone, Manitoba artists have landed five JUNO Awards and 19 nominations in the roots and traditional categories, including a win last year for The Bros. Landreth. 

Bringing Manitoba music to new geographic areas and intensifying 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. Manitoba Music's market development initiatives are also funded by Manitoba Trade & Investment and FACTOR through the financial support of the Government of Canada and Canada's private radio broadcasters. 

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, Reeperbahn Festival, and more.