FallJam5

A one-man-made Manitoba festival

Supplied

For long-time musician and promoter Roger Sing, it just made sense to start a festival in his backyard. This year, 17 bands will step onto the stage that Sing built himself (properly certified and engineered, of course) for FallJam5.

“I do it because I love what I do, and with all the venues that seem to be shutting down, it’s good to open up a new one,” Sing says.

For the past few years, the one-man festival has been a one-day show, and this year he’s expanded to two days. There’s room to park and camp on Sing’s 20 acres, and if anyone gets stuck (as they did in the August storms last year), he’ll pull them out with his tractor, no problem.

Compared to other festivals, Sing has tried to keep his ticket prices affordable. “It’s $12.50 a day. What do you pay for a social?” he asks. 

And the lineup is chock full of Manitoba bands, including Sing’s two projects: The Rock Show (who are headlining the Saturday night) and Hat-Trick. Friday’s lineup includes Tin Can Bandits, The Bloodshots and a Black Sabbath / Ozzy tribute. The music starts at 4 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday, but will wrap up before 11 p.m. to stay within the local bylaws.

Festival attendees are welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks. Sing’s hoping that word will spread and people will check it out because it’s so close to the city – just 13 minutes from Seven Oaks General Hospital on Highway 8. 

And if you’re not exactly sure where you’re going, just look up: “You can actually see the stage from the highway,” Sing says.

Published in Volume 70, Number 27 of The Uniter (June 2, 2016)

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