The Epilogue Tour: Dean Lewis and Matt Hansen - Winnipeg, MB

On January 27, 2026, the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg was transformed into a room full of shared feelings, quiet sing-alongs, and a whole lot of misty eyes as Dean Lewis brought his tour through town with support from Matt Hansen. It was one of those nights where the production didn’t need to be flashy, because the songs—and the crowd’s emotional investment in them—did all the heavy lifting.

Photo by Samuel Stevens.

Matt Hansen opened the evening with a set that felt intimate and disarmingly honest, even in a theatre of this size. Walking onstage to warm applause, Hansen immediately set the tone with “Strangers Again,” pulling the audience into his world of tender, diary-like pop. His voice carried a fragile sincerity that made tracks like “Don’t Look Back” and “Versions of Forever” land with extra weight, especially as the room gradually quieted to really listen.

“Better Off Without Me” and “Something to Remember” showcased his knack for writing songs that sit right on the edge between heartbreak and healing, while “Somewhere In Between” and “yellowstone (holding you)” leaned into atmosphere, letting the melodies breathe. By the time he reached “Chemicals” and closed with the song “Let Em Go,” Hansen had clearly won over a big chunk of the crowd, earning a warm, well-deserved response that felt less like polite opening-act applause and more like genuine appreciation.

After a brief intermission, Dean Lewis took the stage to a roar that made it clear Winnipeg had been waiting for this one, after a couple of hiccups had postponed the show by a few months. Kicking things off with “Empire,” he immediately established a big, anthemic mood before easing into “Hold of Me” and “7 Minutes,” both of which had the audience singing along nearly word for word. Lewis has always had a gift for turning deeply personal stories into communal moments, and live, that quality hits even harder.

The middle of the set leaned heavily into fan favourites and emotional heavy-hitters. “All I Ever Wanted,” “Hurtless,” and “Stay Awake” kept the momentum strong, while “I Hate That It’s True” and his brand spanking new single “I Am Getting Well” showed off his ability to balance vulnerability with hope. “Memories” and “With You” were particular highlights, with hundreds of phone lights glowing across the theatre, turning the venue into a sea of soft white stars.

Photo by Samuel Stevens

Lewis also sprinkled in a couple of covers, putting his own heartfelt spin on Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” and the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris.” Both fit seamlessly into the set, feeling less like detours and more like natural extensions of his own catalogue—songs chosen not just because they’re popular, but because they live in the same emotional universe as his own style of writing.

As the night went on, the energy never dipped. “Half a Man” and “Seconds Before Sunrise” hit with full emotional force, while “Waves” remains one of those songs that seems almost designed for a crowd to sing back in unison. By the time he reached “Enjoy It While It Lasts” and “How Do I Say Goodbye,” there was a real sense of catharsis in the room—the kind that comes from collectively sitting with big feelings and realizing you’re not doing it alone.

Of course, the night wouldn’t have been complete without an encore, and Lewis delivered with “Be Alright,” a song that has long since become a sort of emotional anchor for many fans. Hearing the entire Burton Cummings Theatre sing it back to him was a powerful, full-circle moment—one of those reminders of why live music still matters so much in an era of endless streaming.

Overall, the Dean Lewis and Matt Hansen show felt less like a standard tour stop and more like a shared experience—two artists, a completely sold-out room full of people, and a collection of songs that hit right where it hurts (and heals). Winnipeg got a night of heartfelt performances, honest storytelling, and the kind of crowd connection that lingers long after the last note fades.