The ever-surprising and energetic RBC Bluesfest welcomed a wide array of artists of both international and national acclaim to Ottawa’s Lebreton Flats.
The party got underway on July 6 with performances along the Ottawa River by Ottawa’s very own, Dax, and Canadian hip-hop sensation, bbno$, at the River Stage; while legendary American harmonicist, John Németh, made sure the festival’s tradition of keeping blues in the spotlight was front and centre on the Sirius XM Stage and country sensation, Lindsey Ell, got the party started on the RBC Stage.
Going into the first weekend, festival goers saw a strong demonstration of RBC Bluesfest musical diversity, as RBC Stage headliners included Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings featuring legendary producer and songwriter, Daniel Lanois; while the Sirius XM stage welcomed the legendary Texas Horns and River Stage featured performances by the heavily experimental BADBADNOTGOOD, rising alt-country stars, Youngtree & the Blooms, rising Texas-Americana songwriter, Jack Barksdale, and the ever popular Alan Doyle, who thrilled the Capital’s Newfoundland expats with his beloved blend of rock and traditional Newfoundland folk.
Continuing into the second week of shows, the festival saw legendary pairings of some of the world’s biggest headliners with rising Canadian superstars and international sensations. Bombastic and energetic rockers, MONOWHALES, pumped festival goers up from the River Stage before they migrated to the RBC Stage for beloved rockers Foo Fighters; and for those looking for impactful and spectacular songwriting, the masterful Australian blues legend, Lloyd Spiegel, delighted his strong Ottawa following with shows at both the Sirius XM stage and Barney Danson Theatre, while celebrated British folk-rockers Mumford & Sons headlined the RBC Stage.
The final weekend of RBC Bluesfest kicked off with an exciting series of performances at both the main RBC Stage and the side River Stage and Sirius XM stage. Friday night saw New Jersey popstar, FLETCHER, take the RBC Stage by storm, while the River Stage host a powerful performance by celebrated Montreal singer-songwriter, Allison Russell, before American indie sensations, Fleet Foxes; and the bizarrely experimental, Rich Aucoin, excited all who ventured to the Sirius XM stage. Saturday, the focus was on the RBC Stage, where Toronto sensation, GRAE, opened for hip-hop legends Ludacris and Pitbull.
Capping off another successful RBC Bluesfest on Sunday night were exciting performances by rising Ottawa rapper, Eazy Finesse on the River Stage and 2023 Polaris Music Prize Short List nominees, Alvvays, on the RBC Stage. Concertgoers would then bid the 2023 edition of RBC Bluesfest adieu with a mesmerizing performance by the Radiohead-adjacent side project, the Smile.
With the 2023 RBC Bluesfest coming to a close for another year, Ottawa music fans look towards the 2023 CityFolk, which is set to feature headline performances by legendary punk-rocker, Iggy Pop, 90’s Brit rockers, Bush and Canadian superstars, Arkells.
For more photos from Bluesfest taken by Emily Plunkett, head to our Facebook page!
For more photos of GRAE, Ludacris & Pitbull taken by Ryan Stacey, head here.