Well, the official half way mark of summer is this weekend, the folk festivals are over and now it's time to ROCK! Rockin' the Fields of Minnedosa is celebrating its 7th festival with fantastic rock music taking place on the grounds for over a decade. There have been a lot of memories made and lost over August Long Weekend throughout the years. I have seen some impressive acts both locally and far beyond and this year the killer line up continues.

Thursday night will kick off the extra long weekend with Rock Off, a competition that brings together bands of all genres of rock, who are fighting for a Main Stage spot at Rockin' the Fields.

Included in the mix are a few of the Westman area favourites: Hamiota's Left of Centre who are sure to play a few tunes from their 2009 EP Pushover, Virden's Saxton, Brandon's The Junk and Jimmy Legs and the Funk, Winnipeg is bringing out Tinnitus and Discovenant and rounding up the line up are Speedline 98 and Drop River. This is a wonderful way to begin the four-day festival and an excellent opportunity for these bands to make an impression on festival-goers.

Last year's champions certainly did and now Effect and Cause has been welcomed back to the festival to kick off the Main Stage Friday evening. As the fall brings new journey's for the guys of Effect and Cause I'm not sure when we will get to see them around Westman again so I for one plan on taking in any chance I can this summer. They are a brilliant group of musicians and have been busy this spring producing their first full length album which I am sure will be for sale at Rockin' the Fields.

Up next Friday, are Take With Audio, these guys certainly had people talking and cheering at Ridgefest and promise to do the same on Friday.
There will be an impressive amount of musical talent showcased throughout the weekend, but I don't think any band will be able to touch these guys in agility. Helix is taking the stage on Friday. The last time I saw this band perform they were rocking The Roadhouse and I witnessed a feat I still bring up in conversation today. The lead singer, while singing a high note, jumped onto one of the TALL tables at the bar and did a front flip and summersault off of the table to the ground while still singing! It was seriously unbelievable and I can't wait to see what they have planned for us this weekend.

The closers will be another fun-tastic group, ACDC tribute kings, Whole Lotta Angus.

Although the entire weekend will be a wicked good time it was Saturday's headliners that got me itching to go to the festival. As soon as I read that the sexiest girl of rock (who just so happened to be a Manitoba girl at one time) was coming, I knew I had to get my ticket. Bif Naked will be playing the Main Stage Saturday following the Rock Off winners and Winnipeg's The Perms. With such hits as Spaceman, Lucky, and Moment of Weakness Bif Naked is an accomplished artist. Her talent spreads far beyond the musical relem as she is also a renowned poet, spoken word artist, and has dabbled in the word of theatre. I am hoping for a few of her past hits combined with songs from her 2009 release The Promise.

As if Bif Naked wasn't enough to get me out on Saturday night, Rockin' the Fields have also welcomed back Wide Mouth Mason. The three piece band from Saskatoon has left a lasting impression on fans around Westman and will surely add more members to their growing fan list this weekend.

The Saturday night closers are a tribute band to one of my all time favourites: BLONDIE! They have named themselves after the bands hit Atomic and thus are called Atomic Blondie. They are sure to have us in rapture on Saturday night.

The festivities end on Sunday with the second place band from Rock Off starting the Main Stage line up.

Up next are Canadian classic rockers, “The Kings” who are sure to surprise you with how many songs you recognize once they start playing. Canadian classic rock seems to be the theme as we are privileged with a set from The Northern Pikes and Glass Tiger both of whom I am sure most people are well versed in (especially if you have ever listened to KX96). The weekend will conclude with the Celtic rockers, The Mudmen.

As if the Main Stage line up wasn't enough there is also a Side Stage which features the following line up:

Friday night - Side stage:
Basement Revival
Saturday - Side stage:
The Lowdown
The Bad Marleys
Sunday night - Side stage:
Lottery early bird draw
18 Rabbit
Daggnabbit

Looks like we have a lot of fun in store for us this August Long Weekend, here's hoping the weather cooperates.

Tickets are on sale now: $150 for a regular weekend pass, $250 for a members deck pass (from existing members only), $55 for a day pass and $50 for camping with the Thursday night Rock Off only costing $25!

For more information visit: www.rockinthefields.ca