Another rainy day yesterday, but hopefully the skies will clear up for today’s lineup with enough sunshiny pop music to chase away any storm cloud. And if the rain is giving you the blues again, then you can seek shelter in the tent or theatre with plenty of music that will fit your mood.
RBC STAGE
- 6:00 pm – Tyler Shaw
- 7:30 pm – Carly Rae Jepsen
- 9:30 pm – Maroon 5
If last night’s main stage lineup was all about hip hop, tonight’s is all about pop with a triple dose of hit makers.
First is BC’s Tyler Shaw, who has been making hits for a decade, starting with his debut single “Kiss Goodnight” in 2012. Since then, he’s earned multiple gold and platinum certifications, and JUNO nominations, for the dozen singles that have made him a mainstay on the radio charts.
The hit making climbs even higher with another BC product turned Canadian pop star, Carly Rae Jepsen. Her breakthrough single “Call Me Maybe” was named the best selling single of 2012 and remains one of the most streamed songs in history with over 1.4 billion and counting. Following up that success might have seemed daunting, but the songstress has continuously reinvented herself and achieved success with every new incarnation, whether the 80s infused Emotion, or more dance-pop of Dedicated, or her newest albums The Loneliest Time and The Loveliest Time, which expands into a variety of genres, all while staying true to her songwriting style.
Finally, one of the biggest hit makers of the first two decades of the millennium, Maroon 5 finally make their Ottawa debut. With an astounding ten songs having cracked the billion streams mark, and sit in the top 30 all-time streamed artists. Initially a rock band, the transition into pop launched them into the stratosphere, and their ensuing collaborations cemented them at the top of the charts with each single. It might be their first time in town, but you can bet the crowd will know the words to every song.
RIVER STAGE
- 6:30 pm – Cinzia & The Eclipse
- 8:00 pm – Chelsea Cutler
- 9:30 pm – Future Islands
If the main stage pop is a bit too upbeat for you, you can find solace at the River Stage, with a trio of more subdued artists will provide some respite to weary festival goers.
Starting the night off is Cinzia & The Eclipse, with her much more mellow take on pop with folk elements, which makes for a more muted experience, but the moments of power stand out even more against that softer landscape.
Similarly, relative newcomer Chelsea Cutler has been growing quickly in popularity thanks to her emotive vocals and sentimental lyrics. Her collaborations with Jeremy Zucker went viral, bringing more listeners to appreciate her prolific album releases in the past few years.
Finally, Future Islands takes the stage, with more reliance on electronic elements than the previous two artists. The driving beats they create frame perfectly Samuel Herring’s unique vocal style, creating a mix reminiscent of 80s New Wave, but with a modern twist. With seven albums under their belt, they’ve honed their sound into something distinctive yet still evolving.
SIRIUSXM STAGE
- 5:45 pm – FOG Blues & Brass Band
- 6:45 pm – Blue Moon Marquee
- 8:00 pm – Pokey LaFarge
Tonight’s tent is full of throwback sounds, taken in different directions that generate varying nostalgic effects.
Kitchener’s FOG Blues & Brass Band stick with traditional electric blues with a tight horn section to amplify their sound. They’ve followed up last year’s EP with a few more singles which should fit well within their set.
Reigning Juno winners for Blues album of the year, BC’s Blue Moon Marquee already had the prestigious Maple Blues award for Entertainer of the year for 2023, A.W. Cardinal and Jasmine Colette have thrown a handful of genres, from blues and soul to jazz and swing, into a blender, and yet stay true to the styles no matter which they play.
Making his fourth appearance at Bluesfest, Pokey LaFarge closes the tent tonight with his re-imagined ragtime and blues. The American troubadour never took being born in the wrong era as an obstacle, and fully embraced the past genres to produce ‘new classics’. His latest album Rhumba Country adds another volume of throwbacks to his repertoire, with a dose of old rhumba beats for good measure.
BARNEY DANSON THEATRE
- 6:30 pm – Brooke Blackburn
- 8:00 pm – Hussy Hicks
- 9:30 pm – Blue Moon Marquee
The theatre features a triple shot of blues with a twist to suit all tastes.
First, award winning blues man Brooke Blackburn of the Blackburn Brothers will be performing music from his solo project, The Bentley Collective, which tends to be a bit more stripped down than his larger ensemble bands.
Next is the Aussie duo Hussy Hicks, who bring their own Australian take on blues, folk and roots which has taken them around the world, and finally Ottawa gets to see them live.
DJs tonight:
- ACCORA VILLAGE SPIN STAGE (6:00 pm): ALAMUSIC
- THE CRAZY HORSE SALOON (7:00 pm): DJMC
RBC Ottawa Bluesfest runs from July 4-14 at Lebreton Flats, with passes and tickets available here.
