The name Real Love Winnipeg is a familiar one to virtually any virtual music fan. The independent concert promotion company, started by Gil Carroll and Adam Soloway in 2012, didn’t plan on starting their own festival. But following an invite in 2014 to organize something on the grounds of the Matlock Festival of Music, Art and Nature, the duo developed what would eventually become Real Love Summer Fest.

“We did the festival in Gimli for three years,” Carroll says. “We found that we sort of outgrew that site, and we ended up getting introduced to the land owners of this spot in Teulon, which has worked out great ever since.”

Carroll says the essence of Real Love Summer Fest is “music and camping.”

“It takes place in, essentially, this beautiful forest,” he says. “We built a huge stage in the woods, and we have tons of amazing bands from all over North America, plus tons of local artists performing on the mainstage.

“We also have a smaller side stage. (The lineup is) really eclectic musically. We also have some great food vendors and art installations, and all the camping is really great. It’s all shaded in by the trees, and it’s just a really beautiful sight.”

The 2024 edition of the festival will feature more than 30 musical acts performing over three days. Local artists and expats galore will be there, including singer-songwriter and Winnipegger in Nashville Taylor Janzen, indie rockers Neighbour Andy and gloomy trio Jamboree. Touring performers include Hudson, NY duo Babehoven and Berlin multimedia artist Discovery Zone.

“We present artists that otherwise would not be making their way out to Winnipeg,”Carroll says. “So for people who are looking to discover new music and get a great camping experience and have fun, it’s a good festival for that.”

Published in Volume 78, Number 25 of The Uniter (May 30, 2024)