The 2025 Winnipeg Folk Festival continued in full swing with a vibrant and eclectic Day 2, drawing thousands to Birds Hill Provincial Park for a celebration of music, community, and creativity. While Thursday’s opening night dazzled with powerful mainstage performances, Saturday brought the full Folk Fest experience to life: afternoon workshops filled with collaborative energy, diverse sets across smaller stages, and a thrilling mainstage lineup that blended folk, rock, and indie charm in unforgettable fashion.

One of the most beloved aspects of the Winnipeg Folk Festival is its afternoon workshop sessions—genre-crossing, impromptu collaborations where magic often happens. From the shady groves of the Shady Grove stage to the sun-drenched Green Ash, audiences were treated to musical mashups, artist storytelling, and one-of-a-kind performances that could only happen here.

This year’s workshops were brimming with cross-continental creativity. A Celtic-Canadiana collaboration saw fiddlers from Nova Scotia jamming with American blues players and an Irish harpist. Other workshops brought together activist songwriters from across the globeor a stirring exchange of politically charged anthems and personal testimonies. Artists laughed, harmonized, and traded verses on each other’s songs, often drawing raucous cheers from the audience as spontaneous jams unfolded. These moments—raw, intimate, and entirely unrepeatable—captured the very soul of what the Winnipeg Folk Festival is all about: connection through shared artistry.

Among the standout acts of the afternoon was Petunia & The Vipers, whose genre-defying blend of Western swing, rockabilly, and gypsy jazz lit up the Snowberry stage. Clad in retro threads and backed by a wildly talented band, Petunia delivered a performance that felt plucked from a smoky 1940s dance hall and dropped into the sun-dappled Manitoba prairie.

Their sound—a thrilling mix of hillbilly noir and honky-tonk eccentricity—had toes tapping and fans dancing barefoot in the grass. Petunia’s yodels and croons captivated, and the band’s playful energy turned their set into a full-on party. It was quirky, magnetic, and utterly original, proving once again that the Winnipeg Folk Festival has room for every corner of the musical map.

Later in the afternoon, The Lone Bellow took the stage and delivered one of the most emotionally resonant sets of the day. The Brooklyn-based trio, known for their soaring three-part harmonies and heartfelt Americana, played to a packed crowd that hung on every word and chord. Alternating between foot-stomping barn-burners and aching ballads, The Lone Bellow filled the air with stories of hope, heartbreak, and redemption. Their chemistry was palpable, their voices blending in ways that seemed to suspend time. With rich lyricism and undeniable stage charisma, they turned their performance into a communal experience, drawing festivalgoers into their world with every song.

As the evening approached, The Paper Kites opened the mainstage with a lush, atmospheric set that felt tailor-made for the moment. The Australian indie-folk band brought a gentle, cinematic quality to their music, layering shimmering guitars, moody rhythms, and wistful vocals into a hypnotic performance.

Their dreamlike soundscapes evoked long drives, faded memories, and quiet longing – resonating beautifully with the prairie backdrop. Tracks from their most recent album drew cheers from longtime fans, while new listeners were quickly enchanted by their melodic storytelling and understated intensity. The Paper Kites may not have been the loudest act of the night, but their ability to hold the crowd in quiet captivation was a feat in itself. Their performance felt like a deep breath—a moment of reflection and beauty amid the festival’s bustling energy.

Next up was Ani DiFranco, the legendary American singer-songwriter and activist whose return to Winnipeg was one of the festival’s most anticipated moments. True to form, DiFranco hit the stage with her trademark fire, delivering a set that was both musically electric and politically potent. Armed with her acoustic guitar and razor-sharp lyrics, DiFranco explored themes of social justice, feminism, identity, and rebellion. Her percussive playing style, biting wit, and fearless delivery had the audience riveted. Between songs, she spoke passionately about reproductive rights, climate action, and the power of grassroots change – earning thunderous applause and affirming her role as both artist and advocate.

DiFranco’s band added dynamic texture to the set, blending funk, folk, and jazz elements in a way that felt both spontaneous and masterfully tight. Whether whispering a poetic verse or shouting a protest anthem, DiFranco commanded the stage with unapologetic authenticity. She left no doubt that her voice—both literal and political – remains one of the most vital in modern folk music.

Following DiFranco was Waxahatchee, the project of Alabama-born singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield, whose recent work has earned her critical acclaim for its emotional depth and sonic evolution. Her set struck a balance between introspection and raw power, channeling influences from folk, indie rock, and Southern roots music. Waxahatchee’s voice – unfiltered and beautifully flawed – carried a quiet intensity, drawing the crowd into the deeply personal narratives of love, loss, and self-exploration. Backed by a skilled band, her songs felt intimate yet expansive, filled with lyrical honesty and melodic subtlety.

The audience responded with quiet reverence and enthusiastic cheers, particularly from younger fans who’ve connected with Waxahatchee’s confessional style and boundary-pushing sound. Her performance underscored the way folk music continues to evolve—redefining itself through new voices and perspectives while retaining its emotional core.

To close out the night, Peach Pit brought their laid-back Vancouver rock sensibility to the mainstage in a set that perfectly capped Day 2’s diverse musical journey. With jangly guitars, breezy grooves, and a playful sense of humour, the indie-rockers had the crowd dancing, laughing, and singing along well into the night.

Their performance was fun, energetic, and unapologetically modern – a perfect blend of catchy songwriting and charismatic stage presence. Lead singer Neil Smith’s quirky banter kept things light between songs, while the band’s polished sound proved they’re more than just a good time – they’re a tight, dynamic act with real staying power.

As the final notes rang out under the cloudy, smoke-filled sky, Peach Pit’s infectious energy left the crowd buzzing. The mix of generations dancing together in front of the stage was a living example of what makes the Winnipeg Folk Festival so special: its ability to unite people through music, no matter the style or decade.

With genre-spanning performances, heart-stirring collaborations, and a whole lot of soul, Day 2 of the 2025 Winnipeg Folk Festival proved that folk is not just a genre – it’s a spirit. Whether you came for the twang of Petunia & The Vipers, the poetic fire of Ani DiFranco, or the indie charm of Peach Pit, Saturday offered something to inspire every ear and heart.

As festivalgoers headed back to their campsites and shuttles, the air buzzed with stories, songs, and the joyful fatigue that only a day at Folk Fest can bring. And with two more days still ahead, it was clear that the magic of Winnipeg Folk Festival 2025 was just getting started.