Maggie’s Wake at Red Bird: Where Celtic Soul Meets Country Swagger

Get ready, Ottawa—something bold, beautiful, and brilliantly original is coming your way.

On Sunday, August 10, Maggie’s Wake, Canada’s breakout folk-Celtic phenomenon, will take to the stage at Red Bird (1165 Bank Street) for one unforgettable night of music that bends genres and is sure to stir souls.

Maggie’s Wake Brings Genre-Bending Roots Revival to Red Bird

Maggie’s Wake is what happens when classic country twang crashes into Celtic jigs, reggae grooves weave through Cajun fiddles, and sharp, modern songwriting ties it all together. Fronted by two powerhouse women, this high-energy quartet is shaking up the Canadian roots scene with a sound that’s fresh, fearless, and impossible to pin down.

At the heart of the band are Tara Dunphy, an award-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (The Rizdales, Luther Wright and the Wrongs), and Lindsay Schindler, a dynamic violinist and composer (Rant Maggie Rant, Trent Severn). Backed by the rock-solid rhythm section of Andrew Kosty on bass and Kenneth Palmer on guitar, Maggie’s Wake delivers the kind of chemistry and craftsmanship that turns heads—and wins hearts.

Their live shows are a journey: layered harmonies, rich storytelling, and serious energy. Their 2025 self-titled debut album took home the Canadian Folk Music Award for New Artist of the Year, and their single Bridget O’Brien picked up the NERFA Songwriting Award. Not bad for a band formed just a few short years ago.

What to Expect at Red Bird

This isn’t your standard folk gig. Maggie’s Wake plays with urgency and heart, moving effortlessly from driving reels to intimate ballads to rhythm-heavy jams that’ll have the whole room moving. Their sound is tight, their stage presence electric—and their shows feel less like concerts and more like shared experiences.

They’ve made their mark everywhere from major festival stages to cozy listening rooms, and on August 10, they’ll bring that same spark to Red Bird in Old Ottawa South.

Don’t miss the chance to catch them live in one of the city’s most intimate and best-sounding venues.

Red Bird offers an intimate, 80-seat soft-seater experience—perfect for soaking in every note. With its top-notch acoustics and community vibe, it’s the ideal venue for a band as vibrant and nuanced as Maggie’s Wake.

Show Details & Tickets

Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025
Venue: Red Bird, 1165 Bank St, Ottawa
Doors: 7:00 p.m.
Showtime: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Click here to purchase tickets

Don’t wait—this show is expected to sell out. Come be part of the musical journey that’s redefining Canadian roots music.

Explore more about Maggie Wake by visiting their website www.maggieswake.com and following them on Instagram and Facebook.