To The Bar Tour: Cooper Alan and Jake Banfield - Winnipeg, MB
- Samuel Stevens
- Oct 9
- 2 min read
Country music met party anthems and heartfelt storytelling when Cooper Alan brought his To The Bar Tour to the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg on October 8, 2025. With support from rising artist Jake Banfield, the night delivered a rowdy, crowd-pleasing blend of traditional country spirit, pop crossover energy, and southern charm.
Jake Banfield. All photos by Samuel Stevens.
Opening the night, Jake Banfield eased the crowd into the evening with his warm vocals and emotional range. Highlights from Jake's set included “Whiskey Tasting” and “Take This Pain,” both of which showcased his ability to channel heartbreak into authenticity. During his opening set, Jake also performed two cover medleys, which gave the audience a taste of his versatility, smoothly transitioning between genres and artists, but it was before diving into a second medley that started with “Something in the Orange,” which really had the audience drawn in.
Banfield’s set closer, “Lasso,” drew one of his biggest reactions of the night, its catchy hook and lively energy bringing the early arrivers to their feet. His ability to balance introspection with easygoing charisma made him an ideal opener for the night ahead. When Cooper Alan hit the stage, the Burton Cummings Theatre instantly transformed into a full-blown country bar sing-along. Opening with “First Rodeo” and “This Ain’t Country,” Alan wasted no time setting a playful, high-energy tone. His charisma and crowd connection were undeniable—every moment felt like a conversation between old friends, just with thousands of voices singing along.
The night’s title track, “To the Bar,” served as both a rallying cry and a mission statement. Alan’s band brought a rock-driven punch that carried into “Jesus Saves” and “Can’t Dance,” balancing humour with sincerity. A particularly touching moment came during “Dale Dickens (RIP)” and “Holy Ghost,” where Alan’s storytelling and vocal depth grounded the set in real emotion.
Cooper Alan. All photos by Samuel Stevens.
Alan’s talent for mashups and genre-bending shone brightest throughout the night. His medley of “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy),” “Fishin’ In the Dark,” “Fight for Your Right,” “Drift Away,” and “Your Man” sent the crowd into a frenzy—proof of his ability to unite country, rock, and pop fans alike. Later, his rendition of “Wake Me Up” (Avicii cover) and a creative country twist on Afroman’s “Colt 45” had the audience dancing and laughing in equal measure.
As the night wound down, Alan delivered crowd favourites “Plead the Fifth” and “Feel Like Hell Today,” balancing introspection and bravado before closing with a rapid-fire medley of “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident),” “Without Me,” and “Get Low.” The fusion of country storytelling and hip-hop swagger perfectly encapsulated his genre-defying appeal.
When Alan launched into his “Crowd Favorite Artist Mashup” for the encore, the theatre roared with approval. Each snippet—drawn from fan requests and viral moments—felt like a shared celebration between artist and audience.
The To The Bar Tour stop in Winnipeg proved that Cooper Alan is more than a social media sensation—he’s a bona fide entertainer with a knack for bringing people together. With Jake Banfield’s soulful opening and Alan’s dynamic blend of humour, heart, and showmanship, the Burton Cummings Theatre became the liveliest “bar” in the city for one unforgettable night.
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