Photography & Text Nayan Sthankiya
Toronto’s inaugural Second Summer festival offered Saskatoon indie band Greenwing an opportunity to bring its music to a new audience, and by the time the group arrived at Collective Arts for its third set of the festival, the momentum was unmistakable. After earlier performances at Sneaky Dee’s and the Horseshoe Tavern, Greenwing was well into a demanding day of live music, carrying the energy of the Saskatchewan indie scene into the heart of Toronto.
Second Summer brought together artists and music fans for a celebration of independent music, creating a space where emerging bands could share stages, connect with new listeners, and demonstrate the diversity of Canada’s musical landscape. For Greenwing, the festival was more than a series of performances. It was an opportunity to represent Saskatoon beyond its familiar venues and introduce its sound to an audience discovering the band for the first time.
By the third set, the group had already experienced the excitement of playing multiple venues in one city, each with its own atmosphere and audience. The Collective Arts performance added another chapter to that experience. With two shows behind them, the musicians could draw on the confidence and familiarity that comes from playing together throughout the day. The accumulated energy of the festival became part of the performance itself, giving the set a sense of forward motion.
Greenwing’s appearance also highlighted the value of festivals like Second Summer for independent musicians. Touring can be expensive and challenging for bands working outside the major music-industry centres, particularly those travelling from the Prairies to Ontario. A multi-venue event offers a chance to reach listeners who might never encounter a band through its regular local shows. Each performance becomes an introduction, while repeat appearances throughout the festival help build recognition and encourage audiences to follow the music from one venue to another.
The band’s established sound—built around infectious rhythms, memorable hooks and an energetic stage presence—provides a natural fit for a festival centred on live discovery. GreenWing’s rise from Saskatoon’s music community to national touring stages reflects the persistence required to build an audience one show at a time. Its recognition as Sask Music’s 2023 Rock Artist of the Year further demonstrates the growing reach of the group’s work.
At Collective Arts, Greenwing’s third appearance represented the kind of opportunity that makes a multi-venue festival meaningful. The band was not simply passing through Toronto; it was becoming part of the city’s independent music conversation, sharing the bill with artists from across Canada and beyond.
As the festival continued, Greenwing’s Toronto adventure underscored the importance of taking Saskatchewan music to new places. Three sets in a single festival demanded stamina, commitment and a willingness to keep delivering, regardless of the hour or venue. Each stage offered a different opportunity to connect, and Collective Arts marked another step in that journey.
For Greenwing, Second Summer was a chance to turn the distance between Saskatoon and Toronto into a musical bridge. The band brought its prairie roots, independent spirit and driving rock sound to a city full of curious listeners, demonstrating that compelling music can emerge from anywhere. By the end of its third set, Greenwing had helped make the inaugural festival a memorable milestone in its continuing story.
