Rising Canadian Tour: Danko Jones and The Leftists

The Rising Canadian Tour rolled into Winnipeg on February 4, 2026, and if the Park Theatre’s walls could talk, they’d probably still be asking for earplugs. Headlined by Toronto’s ever-relentless Danko Jones, the night was a full-throttle celebration of Canadian rock. The show was loud, unapologetic, and built for packed floors and hoarse throats.

The Leftists. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography

Kicking things off were local favourites The Leftists, which haven't performed in the city in a minute now. The band had the enviable task of warming up a room that was already buzzing. The Winnipeg band didn’t waste a second easing into things, delivering a tight, punchy set that leaned into grit and groove with the confidence of a group playing on home turf. Their sound landed somewhere between raw garage rock and snarling punk energy, and it didn’t take long before heads were nodding and the floor started to fill. By the time they wrapped up, the crowd was primed for exactly the kind of chaos Danko Jones specializes in.

When Danko Jones hit the stage, the shift in energy was immediate. Opening with “What You Need” and “Diamond in the Rough,” the band set the tone early: this was going to be a no-breathers, no-filler kind of night. The trio’s chemistry was on full display, with Danko commanding the stage like a seasoned ringmaster while the band locked into a groove that felt both brutally tight and effortlessly fun.

Danko Jones. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography

The middle of the set leaned hard into fan favourites and pure crowd-pleasers. “I’m in a Band,” “I Gotta Rock,” and “Everyday is Saturday Night” hit like a three-song mission statement, each one bigger and louder than the last. The Park Theatre crowd shouted along, fists and horns in the air, turning the floor into a bouncing, sweaty singalong. Tracks like “Code of the Road,” “Bounce,” and “Good Time” kept the momentum sky-high, proving once again that Danko Jones’ catalogue is basically engineered for live rooms.

There were also moments where the band let the songs breathe just enough to show their range. “You Are My Woman” and “Full of Regret” added a touch of swagger and grit, while “I Love It Louder” did exactly what the title promised—pushing the volume and the crowd’s energy even further into the red.

After tearing through “Had Enough,” the band disappeared briefly, only to return for an encore that felt less like a bonus and more like a victory lap. “Guess Who’s Back,” “Lovercall,” and “My Little RnR” closed the night on a high, leaving the crowd sweaty, smiling ear-to-ear, and very clearly satisfied to the core.

The Rising Canadian Tour stop in Winnipeg wasn’t about spectacle or overproduction—it was about riffs, volume, and connection. With The Leftists delivering a strong hometown opening and Danko Jones proving once again why they’re one of Canada’s most reliable live rock bands, the Park Theatre got exactly what it came for: a loud, joyful reminder of how good rock ‘n’ roll can feel when it’s done right. Now, hopefully, Danko and the band live up to the commitment to return to Winnipeg without another eight-year absence.