Friday night at Dauphin’s Countryfest offered all-star performances throughout the evening, with country pop star Walker Hayes closing out a purely prairie night on the Play Now Stage. MCMA award nominee and Aboriginal Peoples’ Choice Music Award winner Nelson Little rocked both thePlay Now Main and Bell Hilltop Stages, followed by Canadian country rock singer-songwriter and drummer Cory Marks on Bell Hilltop Stage.
The site was Dauphin Strong, as President Duane McMaster opened the evenings’ show on the Play NowStage, in memory of the victims of the recent bus crash near Carberry. He noted Dauphin Strong stickers are for sale on site, with proceeds to be donated to the Dauphin Active Living Centre.
At the top of the hill, Friday highlighted the rich Indigenous culture of the province featuring three Winnipeg-based siblings, the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers on Credit Union Stage, followed by fiddler Morgan Grace, Manitoba’s honky-tonk queen Frannie Klein, Ebb and Flow singer songwriter Gator Beaulieu and Brandon-based roots rock musician, Mitchell Makoons. Tragically Hip tribute band The Incredibly Hip & The Stoneheads, a tribute to the Head Stones wrapped up the evening, after a set from the inspiring School of Rock Regina.
In addition to a variety of entertaining contests, Dauphin’s Countryfest celebrates Canada Day on the Pay Now Stage with Manitoba-based musicians Tyler Del Pino & the Brasstronautz, Canadian blues guitarist and singer songwriter Romi Mayes, country music artist Sacha, followed by the Ontario-based JamesBarker Band, Canadian Country Music Award nominee Tenille Townes and American platinum album star Dierks Bentley.
Gold album artist Tebey will head to Dauphin Tourism Beach for a pop up party, before his set on the Bell HilltopStage, Saturday evening. He follows Manitoba artists Jesse Bandura, Catie St.Germain and Brandi Vezina.
Six man alternative country, rock, and blues group, the Joe Maxim Band will fill Credit Union Corral Stage, followed by students from the School of Rock Winnipeg and 80s show, Snake Oil.
The final day of this long weekend festival features the Nipin Indigenous Showcase on the Play Now Main Stage, Sunday. In partnership withIndigenous Music Manitoba, the afternoon stage presents international Indigenous performer Shanley Spence, Inuk throat singer Nikki Komaksiutiksak and the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers. The afternoon shines on with Countryfest host and Canadian Country Music Award winning artist Jason McCoy, followed by festival favourites Charlie Major and GeorgeCanyon, JUNO award winners Blue Rodeo, American entertainer and songwriter Eddie Montgomery, closing another great festival with American music legend John Fogerty.
Bell Hilltop Stage offers a Patsy Kline tribute show, indie rock artist Brandon Post, a repeat performance from Tyler Del Pino & the Brasstronautz, Winnipeg’s Sean Taylor Band, Nicole Rayy, and Nate Haller.
Sunday Credit Union Corral Stage hosts Winnipeg artists Car287, cosmic country band Bo Legged, Hearty Har led by brothers Shane and Tyler Fogerty, alternative rock band The Haileys, plus Winnipeg mainstays Andrew Neville and the Poor Choices.
