WINNIPEG FOLK FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2009 MAIN STAGE LINE-UP
Loreena McKennitt to close Sunday night show
May 21, 2009
The stage is set to announce the full Main Stage line-up for the 2009 Winnipeg Folk Festival, taking place at Birds Hill Park this July:
WEDNESDAY JULY 8
The Lovell Sisters
Martha Wainwright
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
THURSDAY JULY 9
Alana Levandoski
Pacifika
Punch Brothers Featuring Chris Thile
King Sunny Adé & His African Beats
Xavier Rudd
FRIDAY JULY 10
Josh Ritter
Oumou Sangaré
Del McCoury Band
Iron & Wine
Neko Case
SATURDAY JULY 11
Chatham County Line
Serena Ryder
Bellowhead
Burning Spear
Okkervil River
SUNDAY JULY 12
Steven Page
Arlo Guthrie
Loreena McKennitt
For a full list, see 2009 Festival Performers.
Special opening & closing night performances
Elvis Costello & The Imposters will make their Winnipeg Folk Festival debut on Wednesday, July 8, kicking off an expanded five-day event. This will be Costello’s first Winnipeg appearance since performing at Pantages Playhouse Theatre in 1978.
Loreena McKennitt will close the Festival on the Main Stage in place of k.d. lang, who regretfully withdrew from her performance due to a family medical problem. Originally from Morden, Manitoba, Loreena was the first recipient of the Winnipeg Folk Festival Artistic Achievement award in 2004. This will be Loreena’s first visit to the Winnipeg Folk Festival since 1992, and Artistic Director Chris Frayer is thrilled to have her on this year’s roster: “We are very excited that Loreena could join us this year. She’s a long standing friend of the festival and someone who has been with us since the early days, so I think it’s very fitting that she closes the ‘09 Winnipeg Folk Festival.”
Get your tickets for 2009
Early bird tickets for this year’s Winnipeg Folk Festival are on sale until May 31 at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, 211 Bannatyne Ave. (at Albert Street), (204)-231-1377; or at all Ticketmaster Canada outlets, ticketmaster.ca and (204)-780-3333/1-888-655-5354. Four-day passes for adults are $152, $79 for youths (15-17) and seniors and $10.50 for children (5-14). Day passes for adults are $54. Admission for Wednesday, July 8 must be purchased separately from festival passes.
Festival camping passes sell out early every year, so avoid disappointment and purchase yours as soon as possible.
Advance prices are in effect since June 1, 2009.
FESTIVAL CAMPGROUND PASSES ARE NOW SOLD OUT – Quiet Campground passes are still available.
For more information, contact our office:
info@winnipegfolkfestival.ca
(204) 231-0096
You dont think Xavier would fit in better on the weekend? he seems like more of a saturday night show to me. all in all it looks like a wicked lineup, super excited.
I am anxiously awaiting for Folk Fest to announce The JD Edwards Band on their lineup! I think we have already started a petition. Not only are they local they are amazing. Support local music! Sign up The JD Edwards Band to play Winnipeg Folk Fest!
Sounds like an awesome lineup for sure! But i definitely agree that Xavier Rudd would be better for a Saturday night it seems. Looking forward to it!
Very much looking forward to this festival. I’ve been to many festivals all over North America and never been asked to pay an additional “gate” fee this late in the process…after I’ve bought my full pass. Now you’re dropping a huge name (KD) and adding a new one (Elvis) and telling me I have to pay more. I love Elvis and I won’t miss it, but I think this is a bush league move by WFF.
Is it true that the camping passes are sold out already?
WHAT HAPPENED WITH KD LANG??? AGREE THAT IS HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!!!
you should really put deep dark woods on the main stage
I agree with the “bush league” move comment. If Elvis is supposed to be part of the festival and we already have bought our tickets and camping passes, it seems unscrupulous of the festival to put your hands out for more cash at this late date. Boooooo!
Totally agree Xavier Rudd should be Saturday night!
Great line up.
I noticed on Alex Cuba’s website that he is playing at the Festival but I do not see him on your line up. Is he playing a different stage and what times is he playing?
Sorry for the delay, but we’ll be trying to catch up on replying to comments on the site.
@Art C., Quiet Campground passes are still available, but the Festival Campground is full.
@cathy, k.d. lang cancelled because of family health reasons.
STOP WHINING ABOUT paying extra to see Elvis…you bought you passes for the festival and were happy to do so…This is an EXTRA.Not to mention a big treat for us. You have your passes for exactly what you bought them for..The Traditional 4 day WFF… if it’s a big problem for you don’t go..those of us who attend will post blogs about how great it was and you can be happy in the knowledge you didn’t contribute to what you perceive as a money grab…I think you are the ones who are being unreasonable…
While the addition of Costello is notable! Charging an additional entrance fee is not - especially since he’s on the first night… A regretable move on your part…
With everyone now piling on I want to chime in that I disagree about the complaints for paying extra for Wednesday. I — and those complaining — bought a ticket for a 4-day festival. My ticket is still good for all four days that I expected. $20 is very cheap for Elvis (plus the other artists). It’s not as if Elvis was an announced artist when only 4 days were planned and then he got moved to a 5th day where more money was required.
I also am glad the Saturday stage is as planned. I love the diversity that night.
Looking forward to my first trip to both Winnipeg and the festival itself.
I’m inclined to agree that Xavier seems more like a Saturday night-type act, but I’m just too excited that he’s back to even care!
@MatthewMc - No one is asking you to buy anything! WFF just added another entire night of music, and you ~~can~~ buy a ticket for $20. Now, if someone told me I could go to a massive outdoor stage and watch Elvis Costello perform with a few well-known opening acts for $20????? I wouldn’t be complaining. If it was a cash grab on the part of the folk fest, they would likely ask for more than 20 bucks
You have to understand, they’re not charging extra because it’s Elvis C, they’re charging extra because of all the hidden costs of running mainstage for one extra night. Electricity, staff, fuel for the Gators, food for the performers, etc etc.
Update: the Lovell Sisters and Martha Wainwright have been added to the Wednesday-night bill. Artists’ photographs and links are on the 2009 Festival Performers page.
WOW! Martha Wainwright! This is going to be the best fest ever!! We always camp on wed. night and it is very mellow..what a bonus to get to the festival site on wed. Thank you WFF!! I thought that Matt W. ’s comment hit the nail on the head. Please, everyone quit complaining about money.
many people cant get the time off work to get out on thursday night, why put a big headliner like Xavier Rudd then? I checked his schedule and he doesnt have another show until the next week. I realize that it is hard to plan and event of this size and magnitude and i appreciate all the work you’ve done to try and make this year a success, but it seems that many people are disappointed with Sir Xavier sitting in a thursday night slot.
That said, I personally feel that extra $20 for elvis costello is perfectly fine. its and extra night, and they werent planning on having it originally, its not like they added elvis on saturday and said “oh but we need more money” they added an entire extra night of great music. quit complaining, if you think $20 for an elvis costello concert (with wonderful guests also) is too expensive then dont go.
I just wonder why so few Acts on the Sunday- just 3! If one of the acts doesn’t appeal, then it really makes the evening not so “filling”. These are key performers, but each will be getting a huge chunk of time, and so there is no diversity. Couldn’t they each do a couple of workshops, so people could see them during the day, then for a shorter time at night? I would have loved to see Loudon Wainwright 3 on the mainstage for a while- as an example.
ehhh. looks ok, but i’ve seen much better lineups in the past.
black francis/frank black is doing some solo acoustic dates in july. he’s playing regina on july 8th and minneapolis on july 10th. maybe they could get him on the folkfest bill for july 9th!! that would be unreal! as a side note mr. francis has a great cover version of arlo guthrie’s “coming into los angeles”.
when will the day time schedules be announced?
I think that the line-ups look pretty diverse and fun. As far as Xavier is concerned, he’s great, but we’ve had him a few times before and therefor I think that scheduling him on Thurs makes sense to give some other groups time to shine as well. I think that paying for the extra day makes sense because the festival is going to have extra costs to cover, so why not? I am glad that our WFF is open to bringing exciting changes and is trying new things. I am happy to be part of the evolution. CAN’T WAIT!!!
I’d like to request a “tweener” if that is possible. I’m in love with Tannis Slimmon - she is world class! Can you get her up on main stage at some point?
LOVE all that you and the volunteers do! Thanks!!
As a Folk Festival virgin, can anyone shed light on what we can expect the Main Stage performers to perform? I’m assuming in the evening, but can anyone be more specific? Thanks!
Cheers
Good timing, @Daytime: the daytime schedule just got posted on the Schedules page.
@Melissa, thanks for the support. We do what we can to make a great festival.
Sorry, @Linda, the tweeners are already booked for the coming festival. We think all of our artists are great!
Update: schedules are up for daytimes, Main Stage, and Big Blue @ Night!
Will Elvis Costello be playing with Imposters like you advertise (his old band) or the new folk group? Anyone?
Does not really matter to me, but it would be nice to hear some of his older stuff.
I am so excited to see Burning Spear! Yes Mon I don’t think you youngsters know just how good Winnipeg Folk Festival is!
Blessings and best wishes for a wonderful event!
The Great Lake Swimmers should be on the Main Stage. That would be great.
Elvis who?
I’ve been reading through the last couple of threads and let me start by saying
THANK YOU!
Thank you for bringing Elvis Costello (even though you said he is “British” - isn’t he “Irish”? I dunno). To the haters that are upset about the extra $20, STAY HOME! If you are upset that you bought a 4-day pass, why not just use it for the 4 days you always get and let the people who are excited about seeing Mr. McManus, on the BONUS DAY, be excited?
Secondly, to the person who scheduled Xavier Rudd on Thursday, THANK YOU! Since I can’t make it that night I won’t be subjected to yet another festival with him as the centre of attention. And on Saturday I’ll get to see Bellowhead and Burning Spear, two bands I genuinely WANT to see.
A festival is about new discoveries, and I’m sure there will be many (as there are every year). Why do so many folks who post on this website have nothing better to do than complain…who needs ‘em?
Illegitimus non carborundum!