Given the wide variety of genres and renown, you will be forgiven if you are not familiar with every single artist on the lineup. Therefore, as part of our extensive coverage, Apt613 will have daily previews of the artists performing that day, so you can plan your festival visit to Lebreton Flats accordingly.
After two straight days of sweltering heat and sizzling acts, Day 3 kicks off the first Bluesfest weekend with a wide variety of artists, from rookies to absolute LEGENDS. And unlike the last two nights, get ready for eclectic mixes on all stages.
Day 3: Saturday July 8
RBC Stage
6pm Steven Taetz
7:30pm Blackie and The Rodeo Kings ft. Daniel Lanois and Suzie Vinnick
9:30 pm Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
If there were a common thread for the main stage theme tonight, it would be “timeless.” First up is Alberta-born, Toronto-based Steven Taetz. A relative newcomer compared to the artists following him, the singer-songwriter dabbles in a wide swath of genres, with elements of crooner, Broadway, country, soul, and roots, all without seeming disjointed. And if that weren’t enough, he also has EDM material.
Next we crank the experience way up with Canadian veterans Blackie & The Rodeo Kings. And the supergroup trio decided to enlist a few more friends to join them, with none other than Suzie Vinnick and Daniel Lanois adding even more Canadian clout. Mixing Vinnick’s blues and Lanois’ incredible versatility with Wilson/Fearing/Linden’s roots should create a magical musical elixir.
Only thing to top that is a global legend, which is exactly who we have in Robert Plant, performing with bluegrass royalty Alison Krauss. When the duo collaborated on an album in 2007, it caught most by surprise, as the two pillars in their genres found common ground in a roots crossover that worked so well, the pair had to follow it up with a second album in 2021. While Plant did perform at CityFolk in 2019, tonight’s set is bound to be drastically different.
River Stage (behind the Canadian War Museum)
6:30pm The Texas Horns
8pm BLAKDENIM
9:30pm BADBADNOTGOOD
What would Bluesfest be without a set from The Texas Horns? The de facto “brass band for hire” around the festival, they’re constantly backing various artists looking for a boost. The Texas trio always puts on a fun, energetic show that gets everyone moving.
Taking some of the brass elements into a much different territory, BLAKDENIM takes over with their blend of jazz and hip hop. The local Bluesfest veterans have managed to fuse seemingly disparate genres into a sound all their own, with the closest comparison likely being The Roots.
Closing the lineup is Toronto’s BADBADNOTGOOD with their own genre-blending sound. In their case, the jazz and hip hop has a bit more electronica mixed in, but the results are just as mesmerizing. Their breakout album IV, and viral hit “Time Moves Slow” attracted even more attention, as did its remix “Running Away (Time).”
Coincidentally, all three artists performed at the 2014 Bluesfest, with BADBADNOTGOOD even playing the same day as the Texas Horns 9 years ago.
SiriusXM Stage (behind Main Stage)
6pm Nesrallah Artuso Project
7:30pm Sugaray Rayford
9pm Matthew Chaffey
Highlighting even more local talent, the Nesrallah Artuso Project is straightforward, honest blues. With two albums already since 2020, their 20 songs cover practically every blues sub-genre, all done with great skill.
Infusing soul and R&B with a touch of blues, Sugaray Rayford adds his own spin to the traditional, giving it a contemporary feel. Since he’s Texan (by way of California), maybe the Texas Horns will make a surprise appearance with Rayford’s backing band?
Closing out the tent is another local artist, Matthew Chaffey. With Raul Midón’s appearance cancelled (apparently due to airline issues based on his tweet), Chaffey will get to introduce fans to his new album on the verge of release. Given his previous work with The Split, we should expect a heavy dose of blue-eyed soul mixed with elements of pop, rock and blues.
Barney Danson Theatre (inside the Canadian War Museum)
6:30pm Gabrielle Shonk
8pm Aspects
9:30pm Sugaray Rayford
After the success of her debut album in 2017, Shonk is back with her follow-up, this year’s Across The Room. Expanding from her original soul sound, showcased on her hit “Habit”, her new album featured slightly more modern polish, such as on “5AM”. However, under the gloss her emotive vocals still draw you in to her inner thoughts.
Switching things up, Aspects takes to the stage next. Blending hip hop with guitars, their fresh take on the genre caught the attention of the biggest names in rap, from the Wu Tang Clan to the Outlawz, with a string of collaborations throughout his career. Not many local artists can claim to have released music with Ghostface Killah and Raekwon!
Keep checking apt613.ca and our social media feeds for more previews and photos throughout the festival!
