The opening night of the 2025 Winnipeg Folk Festival set the tone for what promises to be another unforgettable year at Birds Hill Provincial Park. Under clear skies and with a crowd brimming with anticipation, Day 1 was a celebration of community, storytelling, and music that transcends generations. With a lineup that moved from nostalgic children’s songs to soul-stirring Americana and fearless folk-rock, the night unfolded like a musical journey through time and emotion.

Few Canadian performers evoke as much instant warmth as Fred Penner, and there was no better way to begin the festival than with the beloved entertainer taking the main stage. Though best known for his decades of work as a children’s artist, Penner’s performance was anything but juvenile. Backed by a tight, joyful band, he seamlessly blended sing-along classics with heartfelt stories, often reflecting on his long-standing connection to the Folk Fest community.

The crowd – comprised of toddlers on shoulders, Gen Xers who grew up watching Fred Penner’s Place, and young parents rediscovering his music with their kids – responded with delight at every familiar chord. With his trademark warmth and gentle humour, Penner reminded everyone why he remains a cherished national treasure. His message of kindness, curiosity, and togetherness resonated just as deeply with the adults as with the kids.

From playful call-and-response moments to soulful acoustic passages, Penner’s set proved that folk music’s greatest strength lies in its ability to bring people together. It was a rare moment where nostalgia, joy, and genuine artistry all occupied the same space – and it felt like the perfect way to welcome everyone back to the Winnipeg Folk Festival grounds.

Following Penner’s familial warmth came a powerful and poetic set by Allison Russell, the Montreal-born singer-songwriter whose star has risen meteoric in recent years. As dusk began to settle over the prairie landscape, Russell took the stage adorned in vibrant colours, her voice rich with grace and defiance. The moment she began to sing, the crowd fell into a reverent hush.

Russell’s music blends folk, Americana, blues, and roots into a genre-defying sound that is both intimate and expansive. Her set was a deeply personal offering—filled with stories of survival, resilience, and self-discovery. She drew from her acclaimed solo work and collaborative projects, including Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters, infusing each performance with soul-stirring emotion and lyrical poetry.

Between songs, Russell spoke openly about her journey, touching on themes of trauma, motherhood, and healing. Her presence was magnetic—commanding yet vulnerable. Every word felt purposeful, every note urgent. She wasn’t just performing; she was testifying. Tracks that explored social justice, identity, and belonging found deep resonance with the festival crowd, many of whom were visibly moved.

Russell’s band was equally dynamic, offering lush textures that gave her songs cinematic depth. The entire performance felt like an invocation, a call for empathy and transformation wrapped in soaring melody and rhythm. As night deepened and the stage lights glowed brighter, Russell reminded the Winnipeg audience that folk music can be both beautiful and revolutionary.

The evening reached its crescendo with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, who brought a burst of Southern heat and lyrical depth to the cool Manitoba night. The Grammy-winning Alabama native and his stellar band delivered a set that was at once raucous, reflective, and relentlessly honest.

Isbell’s presence on stage was confident and unpretentious. With his signature Fender slung across his shoulder and wife and bandmate Amanda Shires adding violin and harmony vocals, Isbell led the 400 Unit through a gripping performance that ranged from swampy rockers to introspective ballads. The interplay between the musicians was tight and intuitive, honed by years of touring and recording together.

What makes Jason Isbell such a standout in the folk-rock landscape is his songwriting. His lyrics are unflinchingly honest – sometimes painfully so – and deal with themes of addiction, love, recovery, fatherhood, and the moral complexities of the American South. The crowd hung on his every word, many mouthing lyrics or swaying to the emotional heft of his songs.

Despite the depth of the material, the energy never dipped. The 400 Unit is one of the tightest live bands on the circuit today, with guitar solos, rhythm changes, and harmonies that feel both effortless and electrifying. Midway through the set, Isbell took a moment to express his appreciation for Canadian audiences, noting the Winnipeg Folk Festival’s reputation for warmth, intelligence, and musical openness.

As the set closed with a powerful encore, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause that echoed across Birds Hill Park. Isbell and his band waved their goodbyes to a standing ovation—one well-earned by the sheer musical and emotional range they’d just delivered.

The 2025 Winnipeg Folk Festival’s opening night was more than just a concert – it was a gathering of hearts, a communion through song. From the joyful singalongs of Fred Penner to the soul-bearing anthems of Allison Russell and the heartland rock epics of Jason Isbell, the evening was a masterclass in the power of live music to connect and transform.

The festival grounds buzzed with excitement as attendees made their way back to tents and buses, already buzzing about what the rest of the weekend might hold. Food trucks served late-night treats, artisans sold handcrafted wares under twinkling lights, and the stars above seemed to mirror the sparkle of a community reunited by music.

Whether you’re a long-time Folk Fest devotee or a first-time attendee, Day 1 of the 2025 Winnipeg Folk Festival reminded us all why this event holds such a treasured place in Canada’s cultural landscape. It wasn’t just about the music—it was about the stories, the voices, and the shared experience of something truly magical.