Article and Photos by Andreea the Narrative
Winterruption 2025 happened January 23-26 in the city of Saskatoon. It’s a winter-themed music and cultural festival held in the typically coldest part of our harsh prairie winters. The main goal of the festival is to heat up the prairies with the hottest artists bringing their sizzling sets and some warm fuzzies through community events and culture.
As a vampire, one must try to take in the nighttime events or don hooded cloaks to avoid the treacherously damaging sunlight. In winter months, the snow creates an amplified, blinding gleam. Luckily, Winterruption offers plenty of after-dark shows! For the daywalkers and humans, there are a host of outdoor cultural events and fun activities that are family-friendly.
Friday night made for the perfect vampiric night out in the music scene. The first show on the agenda was Ada Lea with Taylor Jade and respectfulchild at the beautiful venue, The Refinery. Taylor Jade and respectfulchild were among familiar pals.
Respectfulchild opened the evening with a hypnotic, mystifying, and soul-enlightening performance. Their immersive and heavily layered soundscapes created a vivid world, with binaural beats and singing bowl meditation vibes blending seamlessly with violin loops.
Taylor Jade’s voice, like a siren’s call, drew listeners in irresistibly. Dark, somber melodies on guitar paired with the chill vibe of a blustery winter night. Her voice, unfiltered and smoky, carried the weight of her songwriting, exemplified in "Lamb to Slaughter." Her artistry is as rare as the legendary white oak ash daggers said to vanquish ancient vampires.
Ada Lea, hailing from Montreal, opened her set with a track inspired by a Mary Oliver poem. Her performance carried the energy of Feist with synth-infused indie pop vibes reminiscent of the early days of Broken Social Scene and Metric. Her latest EP, "Notes," released in October, channels that era’s sound, and she kept the crowd captivated with "Midnight Magic." A full-length album is on the horizon, with a release date yet to be announced.
Saturday night at Amigos Cantina delivered a spectacular show, presented by The Ness Creek Music Festival. Hometown favorites, The Radiation Flowers, brought their signature psychedelic sci-fi rock vibes, filling the venue with atmospheric soundscapes. The lineup also featured Big Evil Rat from Edmonton, delivering electrifying energy, and P.P. Cauldron, who set the stage for an unforgettable night.
Sunday’s performance, "Big Band Theory 3.0: The Swing Awakens," at the Broadway Theatre, was a revival of swing with a modern twist. The Saskatoon University Jazz Ensemble brought a Latin-themed swing that had the crowd moving, proving that hot jazz is the perfect antidote to a cold prairie night.
The show also featured Footnotes Big Band, who transported listeners to the golden age of Hollywood with 1930s-inspired jazz arrangements. The Stone Frigate Big Band added to the vintage club atmosphere, evoking images of a smoky Las Vegas lounge filled with cigars, brandy, and elegant dancing. A highlight of the evening was spotting the infamous 'dancing couple' (Elinor and Glenn), a staple in the Saskatoon live music community, twirling effortlessly across the floor. The Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra (SJO) closed out the performance with a selection of classic jazzy hits, solidifying the night as a true celebration of big band music.
The festival wrapped up with a high-energy afterparty at Amigos Cantina featuring Ducks Ltd. and Big Sis. Big Sis absolutely brought 'it' with an electrifying, club-like energy reminiscent of early Lady Gaga, filling the room with dance trance and EDM beats. Their performance was a highlight of the festival’s final night, leading into Ducks Ltd., who took the stage with a sound steeped in early 2000s indie nostalgia. Their set transported the audience back to a time when music connected friends in a way that felt invincible, closing Winterruption 2025 on a euphoric high note.
All in all, Winterruption 2025 was an epic five-day experience that will be remembered for years to come.
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