Winnipeg Folk Festival: SCENE's guide to the 2012 lineup

You'll be sorry if you miss the Head and the Heart perform at the 2012 Winnipeg Folk Festival

This weekend the Winnipeg Folk Festival released the 2012 lineup -- and we tell ya' -- it is a good one.

While the full festival lineup remains to be rounded-out, there is already a glut of talent on the list with enough folk, blues, world, indie, urban and rock music to suit the most discerning of tastes.

Here is SCENE's early guide to what we consider to be some surefire festival highlights.


K'naan is the headline act for Thursday night

For top Canadian acts look no further than the nation's first lady of indie-folk Feist, who will be gracing the main stage on opening night (Wednesday, July 4). The following evening arguably the biggest Canadian/Somalian hip-hop artist K'naan will be the on the main stage. Since his "Wavin' Flag" went with the FIFA World Cup, K'naan has been on a roll and shown no signs of stopping.


We highly recommend you check The Barr Brothers at this year's WFF.

Folk Fest is almost always a prime showcase for indie talent, and this year's lineup continues that tradition. Iron & Wine, that bearded beauty from North Carolina is always one to watch, while Seattle's the Head and the Heart just may become your new favourite band after you watch the joyous occasion of their music making. Other intriguing indie acts include Vancouver's e.s.l. who play some interesting cabaret-inspired numbers and Montreal's The Barr Brothers, who build folksy-rock tracks using all manner of instruments, including the harp.

Manitoba is of course well represented with acts including Chic Gamine, Fish & Bird, Black Sea Station and Dry Bones (to name but a few), while this year's festival will also offer a special tribute to Woody Guthrie, who would have been turning 100 this year.

The festival also offers one of the best showcases for world music north of the 49th. Be sure to check out Malian singer Sidi Toure, Hugary's Besh O Drom, and the fetching beats from Benin's Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou.

The full festival list is available online while early bird tickets are on sale now.