Islendingadagurinn (aka The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba)

Royal Canoe appear at the Icelandic Festival on Saturday, July 30th

The music lineup for the122nd annual Islendingadagurinn in Gimli was recently revealed on the festival's new site and blog.

As in years previous, there's a full slate of intriguing independent acts worth checking out (for free!), with notable highlights including the still-kickin' and incomparable Nathan, 2011 WCMA nominees (and past winners) The Liptonians, and live act extraordinaires Royal Canoe.

One last thing to note: unlike years previous, the majority of the lineup features bands residing within New Iceland provincial borders (Saskatoon-based singer-songwriter Zachary Lucky being the exception). The likely reason is that Manitoba music runs strong and is intent on world conquest. Just like the Vikings.

But without horned helmets.

Friday July 29th
The Nobel Thiefs
Goldenboy
Attica Riots

Saturday July 30th
Childrens Entertainment - Alphabet Soup
Royal Canoe
The Liptonians
Yoyote
This Hisses

Sunday July 31st
Zachary Lucky
Ingrid Gatin
Romi Mayes
Andrew Neville and The Poor Choices
Nathan

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In Giveaways...Enter To Win A Pair Of Tickets To Library Voices @ The WECC

Courtesy of our ol' pals at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for chief Regina indie-music exports Library Voices' show at the WECC on July 14th.

If you're interested in checking out the ebullient septet, fire me off an email (on the right hand side) by Thursday, July 7th @ noon CST with the subject line "Library Voices Ticket Giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter. As always, one entry per person please!

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In Winnipeg Music News....Greg MacPherson Weekend @ The WECC

Lots of exciting news to report from the Greg MacPherson camp these days.

The resident singer-songwriter recently founded his own label (with Cam Loeppky) called Disintegration Records; will be dropping a new recording, Disintegration Blues, sometime in late August; and has booked a pair of shows at the West End Cultural Center on September 9th (Loud) and 10th (Quiet).

Ticket packages are being offered for the event. The "Two-Show Option" includes admission to both shows for $33.50 (inc. fees) while the unquestionably unique "Two-Show + Contest" package includes a ticket to both concerts, a copy of the new record, an autographed screen printer poster, and, most intriguingly, entry into a contest that sees Greg MacPherson flex his culinary skills and cook brunch for one lucky winner. The latter option runs for $54.50 (inc. fees).

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In Winnipeg Music News...Ra Ra Riot and Imaginary Cities @ The Pyramid; and more!

Ra Ra Riot by Doron Gild

Another contender for best double-bill of the fall concert season has emerged: Syracuse-based indie-rockers Ra Ra Riot and Winnipeg darlings Imaginary Cities play the Pyramid Cabaret on October 1st. According to the Pyramid’s site, you can grab tix for $15 through ticketworkshop.com; however, they’re not for sale just yet.

Fact: you can grab ducats for Japandroids (Sept 27, Albert) and Handsome Furs (July 15, WECC) on the same site as well.

Couple of aging-but-still-virile acts are coming to town:

• The Moody Blues will be at the Pantages Theatre on September 30th.

• Jeff Beck plays the Pantages on October 22nd.

• Lyle Lovett performs at the Burton Cumming Theatre on August 9th.

And finally, local songstress / recent 11 Qs participant Jenny Berkel has a new video for “Stop and Go.” Check it out below.

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In Winnipeg Music News...Besnard Lakes/Malajube @ The WECC Is A Go

Malajube Photo: Joseph Yarmush

It's now official: Montreal-rooted acts Malajube and the Besnard Lakes are combining artistic forces for a must-see tour that sees both indie bands pop by the West End Cultural Centre on September 30th. Tickets are available today at the WECC, Ticketmaster, and Music Trader and will run ya $18 in advance or $22 at the door.

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In Winnipeg Music News...The Fall Season at the WECC Rocks The Party

Karkwa Photo:  Marie-Claude Hamel

This fall the West End Cultural Centre is THE venue for titillating indie-music.

First, 2010 Polaris WINNERS Karkwa finally head West and pass through the gateway on September 29th.

Plus, there's the previously announced Danny Michel, Socalled, and Frank Turner shows going down there in the fall as well.

Oh! And speaking of the Polaris Prize, the 40-band longlist was announced earlier and all five of this juror's picks (PS I Love You, Diamond Rings, Young Galaxy, Braids, and Imaginary Cities) made the cut. Extra props to Imaginary Cities for being the only Winnipeg act left standing.

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In Winnipeg Music News...Louise Burns, Sun Wizard @ Rock Bar; Braids, Pepper Rabbit @ The Albert; and more!

First up, burgeoning indie artist Louise Burns has teamed up with labelmate Sun Wizard for a cross-Canada touring adventure, including a pit stop in Winnipeg on July 8th at, umm, Rock Bar (of all places).

Montreal-based pair Handsome Furs are at the WECC on July 15th.

Braids are playing a string of dates in September/October alongside Pepper Rabbit with both bands due at the Albert on September 16th.

Edmonton’s Doug Hoyer and the Joe have booked a pair of dates in Peg City: July 21st at the Lo Pub and Mondragon on August 22nd.

Without Mercy rock the Park Theatre on July 13th.

Sweden’s Opeth play the Burt on October 8th alongside countrymen Katatonia.

Australian 8-piece urban roots band Blue King Brown is at the Pyramid on June 22nd.

Gt. Dane releases his debut EP, Mourning Yer Host, Gt. Dane,  at the Lo Pub on Thursday, June 23rd with Sit Down Tracy.

Multi-talented performer Socalled is at the WECC on October 12th.

And finally, the award for best local concert poster, possibly of all time, goes to…The Eardrums! Catch the guys at Aqua Books on June 29th w/ Texting Mackenzie and Johnny Sizzle.

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