OK computer: IT professionals unleash inner rock star
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Warren Massey makes his living in IT but for one night a year, he’s a rock star.
The 52-year-old drummer is one of more than 30 musicians involved with Techapalooza, an annual fundraising concert featuring musical talent from Winnipeg’s information technology sector.
Musicians with day jobs in IT form bands to perform for an enthusiastic crowd at the Club Regent Event Centre.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Hal Ryckman (left) and Warren Massey, who are on the organizing committee for Techapalooza, on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Techapalooza is an annual fundraising concert for CancerCare Manitoba that sees IT professionals from Winnipeg performing the music. For Aaron Epp story. Free Press 2026
Over the last 14 years, the event has raised more than $1 million for the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. This year’s concert takes place Feb. 28.
Raised in Morden, Massey first picked up drumsticks in Grade 3 and started gigging with a variety of Winnipeg bands during his university days. He stopped playing shows in his late 30s to focus on his family and career, but he comes out of retirement each year for Techapalooza.
“Being in a band is a long-term commitment and you’re slogging gear around all the time,” he says. “That part of my life is kind of (over), but I like that (Techapalooza) is one and done. I will throw hundreds of hours into this 25-minute set, which is a little bit ridiculous, but at the same time, it’s something I take pride in.
“We raise as much money as we can and then we’re done. It’s kind of perfect for me at this point in my life.”
In an “elbow’s up” era when Canadians are showing their national pride in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats, this year’s Techapalooza will focus on music from the above the 49th parallel — “True North, strong and IT!” reads a slogan on the event’s website.
Seven bands will perform: Canada Life’s Great Big C++, Moorissette’s Law, Canucktivity, Reckless Saints: Dot C Eh?, Port 54-40, Bill and Dave’s Garage Band, and the group Massey belongs to, Depeche Modem Eh?
Each band will perform a 25-minute set, with a 15-minute changeover in between.
“It’s a fast-paced evening and a lot of fun,” says Hal Ryckman, who chairs Techapalooza’s 10-person organizing committee.
The 73-year-old retiree co-founded Techapalooza in 2011, inspired in part by Winn$tock, a similar fundraising concert that was happening at the time that featured professionals from Winnipeg’s financial services industry.
“I was so impressed with (Winn$tock),” says Ryckman, who plays drums in Bill and Dave’s Garage Band. “That’s what gave me the idea: why don’t we start something like this in IT?”
The first concert took place at the Park Theatre in February 2012 and raised $25,000.
“We had no idea if it would be a success or how it would go, but everyone said, ‘You have to do this again next year,’” Ryckman recalls. “So we did, and it’s been getting bigger and bigger.”
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Hal Ryckman (left) and Warren Massey, who are on the organizing committee for Techapalooza, on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Techapalooza is an annual fundraising concert for CancerCare Manitoba that sees IT professionals from Winnipeg performing the music. For Aaron Epp story. Free Press 2026
Around 700 people attended last year’s concert, and Ryckman expects a similar crowd later this month. The event has raised $100,000 each year for the last number of years, consistently making it one of CancerCare’s top five third-party fundraising events.
About 60 per cent of the funds come from corporate sponsorships and the other 40 per cent are donations collected by band members, Ryckman says. The ticket price, which ranges from $22.73 to $44.06, covers the event costs, with any leftover funds going to the foundation.
“There are many worthwhile foundations out there that are all worthy of support but cancer is universal,” Ryckman says. “Everyone has been or will be impacted by cancer, so we thought that’s a really good (cause) to support.”
That rings true for Massey, whose sister, Heather, died from cancer in 2021. She was 44.
“That was an extra push for me to get more involved and try to do some good in the community,” says Massey, who sits on Techapalooza’s organizing committee and will serve as the stage director at this year’s concert.
Search “Techapalooza” on YouTube to watch past performances. To learn more about this year’s concert, purchase tickets or make a donation, visit techapalooza.ca.
“It’s such a great cause and it’s so fun,” Massey says.
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.