Keep the weekend of Aug. 8 to 10 open for a headbanging good time
The FallJam Field of Rock Music Festival is back for its twelfth year in St. Andrews, and residents are invited to grab a ticket before another one bites the dust.
“(The FallJam Field of Rock Music Festival) is a Manitoba-based music festival that deals with big name artists, where applicable, and many of Manitoba’s finest local bands of all genres,” said Event Coordinator and FallJam Field of Rock Music Festival Founder Roger Sing.
Sing started this festival about 15 years ago thanks to his career.
“I have been a promoter for over 30 years now, and way back in 1992, that’s where I started. I actually did Selkirk’s First Rocking Summer Concert, way back in 1992, that was my start. And then, I was basically doing numerous events through the years, at Le Rendez-Vous, Winnipeg, Speedway, and small communities, where applicable. And then I bought my property and decided to do it here,” said Sing.
The concert this year is going to be another good one. The headlining band on Aug. 9 is bleeker, who residents will likely know of, and there are going to be some new and returning favourites to the event.
“I’ve got my food vendors, as usual. My vendors tend to change it up. We’ve got food here and, you know, you bring your own kind of beverage that you like and basically just do your thing, sit down, relax with your lawn chair. If it rains, you’ll need an umbrella, but it’s rain or shine,” he said.
The event starts at about 6 p.m. on Friday night and runs until midnight. Saturday’s acts start at 1 p.m., and the night ends with bleeker. The final day, Sunday, starts at noon and finishes at 9 p.m.
As for Manitoba bands, Sing wants to encourage everyone to head out to see them all, so he’s decided he only wants to reveal a teaser of who’s coming for now. Attendees can expect local talent like November Underground, Ronnie Ladobruk and more.
The band bleeker will be headlining on Saturday night and they’ve also decided to give residents a teaser of what’s to come.
“We’ve released an album and an EP since we were last in Manitoba playing with The Trews at the Burton Cummings Theatre in 2024, so people can definitely expect to hear some of the new music live. We know people want to hear the familiar songs too. We’ll make sure they are in the setlist and maybe we’ll slip in a song or two from our past life as Bleeker Ridge, who knows. Live music is supposed to be fun and I think we do a pretty good job of making every show fun,” said Taylor Perkins, bleeker’s lead singer.
Sing’s proud of both his current lineup and the bands that have performed at past FallJams.
“It’s all Manitoba, home grown kind of music. And as I said, some of the bands that have played this festival are getting quite successful,” he said.
Because Sing’s property is in St. Andrews, residents will likely have to go on a bit of a drive to get to 6556 Hwy #8 at Donald Rd.
Tickets to this event are available at the venue. Sing says that kids 12 and under are free and 13 to 17 year olds get in for half price. Adult tickets cost $15 on Friday night, $25 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday, but the music aficionados in our region will likely be best served by the full weekend pass for $40.
Attendees will be glad to hear that parking is free and that there is plenty of space on Sing’s property for your vehicle.
“I’ve had 600 people on a weekend here in past, and I know from the parking that there’s room for many more,” he said.
Sing would also like residents to know that attendees under 18 years of age do need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to attend this event.
His favourite part of this event is the fun that’s had.
“I just like to see people enjoying themselves at something here that I’ve created. I don’t use any taxpayers’ dollars. It’s all mine. I fund it all myself. If I could do it for free, I would absolutely,” said Sing.
He hopes that residents will give this event a chance.
“Grab a ticket, come check it out. You won’t be disappointed,” he said.
Perkins echoed this sentiment, saying, “A bunch of bands playing live music outside on the weekend in the summer, that sounds pretty awesome, right? Don’t be shy. Come out and say hi, enjoy being outside and listening to live music. It’s going to be a great time, and if you miss it, you’re definitely going to regret it!”
Sing would also like to thank all of the sponsors who helped to make this event a success.
