Featuring Born Ruffians, Dan Mangan, and Tim Baker
The night began with Born Ruffians, a Canadian indie rock band based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 2004, the band consists of frontman Luke Lalonde, bassist Mitch DeRosier, drummer Steve Hamelin, and keyboardist Maddy Wilde. Born Ruffians have released nine albums to date with their debut album, Red, Yellow & Blue, being released in 2008 and their most current, Beauty’s Pride, in 2025.
With the release of their self-titled debut EP in 2006, the band gained radio airplay with the first single ‘This Sentence Will Ruin/Save Your Life’. This was followed by ‘Hummingbird’ in 2007 to coincide with the release of their debut album. This song is featured on television ads all around the world.
Since then, Born Ruffians have released singles such as ‘What To Say’, ‘Wavy Haze’, ‘Chrysanthemums’, and ‘Don’t Fight The Feeling’. Most recently the band released their ninth album, Beauty’s Pride, which featured the singles ‘Mean Time’, ‘Supersonic Man’, and ‘Athena’. Some of these hits were performed for their fans at the tent. With their raw vocals and unique sound, this is one band you sure won’t want to miss.
Up next was Dan Mangan. Hailing from Vancouver, BC, this Canadian musician boasts a career that blends heartfelt indie folk-rock with lyrical insight and creative exploration. Mangan completed his first set of recordings independently in 2003. By 2005, Mangan had recorded Postcards & Daydreaming, which was released independently at first. This was later re-released in 2007. By 2009, Mangan had released Nice, Nice, Very Nice, along with singles ‘Robots’ and ‘Road Regrets’. This album earned him multiple awards through iTunes (Album of the Year) and the Western Canadian Music Awards (Independent Album of the Year, Roots/Solo Album of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year). Mangan went on to release additional singles such as ‘Race To The Bottom’, ‘Fool For Waiting’, ‘Troubled Mind’, ‘In Your Corner’, and ‘Fire Escape’.
Most recently, Mangan released an album entitled Being Elsewhere Mix (2024) with singles ‘Say When’, ‘Sleep on the Floor’, and ‘Find New Ways’. He also released his ninth album, Natural Light, earlier this year with singles ‘Melody’ and ‘Cut the Brakes’. Mangan delivered a set full of fan favourites, keeping the crowd energized and engaged as they cheered and sang along. With two Juno awards and a resume of tour dates throughout North America, Europe, and Australia, Dan Mangan has already solidified his place in Canadian music. Make sure to take the time to check it out.
The headliner for the night was Tim Baker. Hailing from St. John’s, NL, this Canadian singer-songwriter was the lead singer of the indie rock band Hey Rosetta before the band took an indefinite hiatus in 2017. This hiatus led to Baker’s successful solo career, which showcased a more intimate and introspective sound. He released his first solo song, ‘Spirit’, in 2016 as a part of a special series on economic challenges of life in Newfoundland. From this, Baker released his debut solo album, Forever Overhead, in 2019. This album featured tracks such as ‘All Hands’, ‘Dance’ and ‘The Eighteenth Hole’. Baker released his second solo album, The Festival, in 2022. Singles from this album included ‘Lucky Few’, ‘Some Day’, and ‘Echo Park’. He released a third solo album entitled Full Rainbow of Light in 2024, consisting of a collection of original Christmas-themed music. Many of these singles were shared with the patrons of the Iceberg Alley Performance Tent during what was an amazing show.
Baker’s set began with ‘Giant Eye’, as the audience geared up for a concert that is more than just music but also a night of story telling. Many of his tracks explore love, change, memory, and place, reflecting on his deep connection to Newfoundland and growing up. He continued on to play some fan-favourites, as he captivated the audience. Other tracks of the night included “Hideaway/Black Heart’, ‘Strange River’, ‘Don’t Let Me Go Yet’, and ‘Gold Teeth’ (a Hey Rosetta Track).
Baker finished off the set with ‘Goodnight Everyone’, collaborating with Born Ruffians and Dan Mangan, to send the patrons of the tent home with their hearts full. This is definitely a night that many will not forget.
