Ziggy Alberts And Steph Strings - Winnipeg, MB

On a warm Tuesday evening in Winnipeg, a rare kind of magic unfolded at The Park Theatre. With only five days’ notice, Australian folk troubadour Ziggy Alberts and rising multi-instrumentalist Steph Strings transformed a spontaneous pop-up gig into an unforgettable night of storytelling, soul, and sing-alongs. Part of Ziggy's ongoing 2025 world tour, the May 27, 2025, show sold nearly to capacity despite being announced just days prior—a testament to the strength of his grassroots following and Winnipeg’s hunger for heart-driven music.

Steph Strings. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Opening the night was Steph Strings, whose set was a captivating blend of technical prowess and emotional depth. With her stomp pedal, fingerstyle guitar technique, and earthy vocals, she filled the intimate venue with songs that felt both ancient and new.

Her set began with “Antigone,” a haunting, poetic opener that showcased her ability to build tension and release with percussive rhythms. She paid homage to fellow Aussie Xavier Rudd with a soulful cover of “Follow the Sun,” drawing approving cheers from the crowd. Highlights included “Blood and Bone” and “Back at Me,” songs that married raw lyrical reflection with intricate instrumental work. By the time she closed with “Lion,” the audience was fully locked into her wave of sound, visibly moved and cheering her on like a seasoned headliner.

Steph Strings may have opened the show, but she left like a mainstay—her name on everyone's lips during intermission. However, during her set, she did say she would be back soon for a Canadian headline tour of her own. Ziggy Alberts took the stage to an eruption of applause, opening with the fan-favourite “Days in the Sun.” Immediately, his signature blend of conscious lyrics, melodic guitar, and breezy charisma brought the room into his world—a space of nature, love, and deep introspection

Ziggy Alberts. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

From the tender “Hands I Can Hold” to the emotionally resonant “Where Does The Love Go?,” Ziggy’s set felt like flipping through a diary written on beach sand and backroads. A surprise moment came in his stripped-down, acoustic take on Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated,” which he performed with a cheeky grin and sincerity that made it his own.

A standout feature of the night was the B-stage set, where Ziggy brought things even closer to the crowd, physically and emotionally. Here, he performed “Learn Yourself,” his wildly popular song “Gone (The Pocahontas Song),” showcasing his ability to channel empathy and nostalgia in equal measure. Before launching into “Simple Things,” he joked about the Winnipeg Folk Festival and encouraged fans to lobby for his return to the fest—an invitation the crowd responded to with whoops and laughter.

Returning to the main stage for the final act, songs like “Heartbeat,” “Together,” and “Runaway” built to a quiet euphoria. Every lyric felt lived-in, every harmony mirrored by the audience like an old friend finishing your sentence.

The encore—“Blessings,” “Love Me Now,” and the anthemic “Laps Around the Sun”—was a perfect closing trio. As Ziggy strummed his final chords, the crowd sang along with eyes closed, voices raised, and hearts wide open. This intimate, last-minute surprise show wasn’t just a stop on a world tour—it was a moment. The kind of night that feels like a secret you were lucky enough to be part of. Ziggy Alberts and Steph Strings didn’t just perform in Winnipeg—they connected with it. And if their goodbye waves and the crowd’s standing ovation were any indication, it’s a connection that’s far from over.