Softcult and Guilty Sleep Live In Winnipeg, MB

On February 9, 2026, Winnipeg’s Sidestage hosted a night that felt both intimate and quietly monumental, as Softcult finally made their long-awaited first appearance in the city, with Guilty Sleep setting the tone as local support. In a room that thrives on closeness between artist and audience, the show unfolded like a shared secret—loud, emotional, and deeply human to the core.

Guilty Sleep. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography

Guilty Sleep opened the evening with a set that balanced warmth and melancholy, easing the crowd into the night with a sound that felt both lived-in and immediate. Kicking things off with “Sleeve,” they quickly established a mood that was introspective without ever feeling subdued. “Lazarus Bell” and “Family Tree” carried a sense of quiet urgency, their melodies unfurling with the kind of patience that rewards attentive listeners. By the time “Softly” and “Cocoon” rolled around, the room had settled into their world—heads nodding, bodies swaying, eyes dead-fixed on the stage.

“Eyeore” injected a sharper edge into the set, while the set closer “Roots” felt like a mission statement: grounded, honest, and emotionally direct. Guilty Sleep didn’t just warm up the crowd—they carved out a space for vulnerability, making Sidestage feel smaller in the best possible way, like a living room full of friends who all happen to love the same songs. When Softcult took the stage, the energy in the room shifted from contemplative to electric. For a band playing their first-ever Winnipeg show, they carried themselves with the confidence of artists who know exactly what their music means to the people in front of them. Opening with “Drain,” they wasted no time diving into the hazy, grunge-tinged atmosphere that has become their signature. “Pill to Swallow” and “Naive” followed, thick with distortion and emotion, sounding massive even within the tight confines of Sidestage.

Softcult. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography

The middle stretch of the set was a masterclass in balancing heaviness and melody. “Queen of Nothing” and “Tired” hit with a cathartic weight, while “Perfect Blue” and “16/25” showcased the band’s knack for writing hooks that linger long after the last note fades. “Love Song” and “Not Sorry” drew some of the loudest reactions of the night, with the crowd singing back lines like they’d been waiting months for this exact moment.

“I Held You Like Glass” and “Uzumaki” leaned into Softcult’s darker, more atmospheric side, bathing the room in thick walls of sound and shimmering feedback. By the time “Haunt You Still” and “Spit It Out” closed the main set, the band had the audience fully in their grip—sweaty, smiling, and completely locked in.

Then came a moment that felt especially personal. Mercedes returned to the stage to explain that Softcult doesn’t usually do encores, but Winnipeg’s persistent calls for “one more song” clearly struck a chord. What followed was a stripped-back, solo performance of “When a Flower Doesn’t Grow,” the title track from the band’s brand new debut album. In contrast to the dense, swirling soundscapes that filled most of the night, this version was raw and exposed, turning Sidestage into a hushed, reverent space. It wasn’t just a bonus song—it was a thank-you, a shared pause, and a perfect exhale to end the Monday evening.

For a first visit to Winnipeg, Softcult didn’t just play a show—they made a connection. Paired with Guilty Sleep’s thoughtful, emotionally grounded opening set, the night felt like a reminder of why small rooms and loud guitars still matter so much. February 9, 2026, wasn’t just another tour stop; it was the beginning of what will hopefully be a long relationship between Softcult and a city that was clearly ready to welcome them with open arms.