Wrapping up the 50th edition of the Winnipeg Folk Festival
The most-attended fest yet meets lofty expectations with a mix of legends and breakout performances
Filed under: Festivals
Well, folk friends... we did it! We feasted and frolicked, celebrating Winnipeg Folk Festival's 50th festival! Word on the street is that this edition ranked high on many people's lists of favourite festival years.
I certainly wasn't disappointed. Not only because of the music, but because regardless of the lineup, I am continually uplifted by the atmosphere that's created at Birds Hill Park every year. People of all ages and sizes dancing to foot-stomping tunes, kids chasing after huge soap bubbles, birds singing at the peaceful forest stages, and of course, the massive sea of tarps.
Everyone was excited to celebrate the festival's 50th birthday -- this year drew a daily average of 15,171 paying fans and sold out single-day tickets for Friday and Saturday. The line for this year's merchandise and special 50th anniversary swag stretched for ages every day.
I am quite pleased to announce that my favourite music moments from the weekend did not stray far from my predictions of what would rock the fest.
Ye Vagabonds' beautiful voices made me cry; Begonia made me proud to be Manitoban; and Jake Vaadeland & the Sturgeon River Boys made me feel like I travelled back in time.
Ani DiFranco's performance on Friday's main stage was dynamic and fiery and sparked in people an urge to dance and a fighting attitude. Or at least it did for me! I deeply appreciate when folk artists name specific injustices in their music and aren't afraid to challenge people in power. I recognize that artists do this in many different ways... but more often than not, we need to hear it in plain terms.
Bruce Cockburn packed out Big Bluestem for a Saturday afternoon performance, where he had people on their feet and in the palm of his hand. At the same time, he was presented with a ceremonial key to the City of Winnipeg by the mayor.
My most highly anticipated act, La Chiva Gantiva, absolutely DELIVERED. Fully embodying their music and delighting at the crowd's enthusiasm, the band's Big Blue @ Night set on Saturday was energy electrified.
It's hard to look back at a lineup after a festival and not mourn the artists you missed, despite the most careful and strategic planning (or pure luck -- whatever your style is).
I'm looking forward to listening more to Willi Carlisle, who I caught a glimpse of as a Main Stage tweener. I immediately loved him for his warm and genuine persona and his self-described "songs about love of all kinds, and between all genders." Suddenly, folk with a dash of bluegrass and country from Arkansas felt a lot more welcoming -- and intriguing.
Other surprise standouts were Víík, Waxahatchee and Kevin Morby's workshop together, and Ruby Waters. Lake Street Dive closed out the final night of this momentous year for WFF, their talented musicianship on full display -- the style! the class! that voice! -- bringing the house DOWN. It was a vibrant way to end the fest, and I'm already looking forward to seeing what will get me dancing next year.
Tags: Winnipeg Folk Festival, WFF50, Ye Vagabonds, Bruce Cockburn, Ani DiFranco, Willi Carlisle, La Chiva Gantita, Begonia, Lake Street Dive, Jake Vaadeland
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