Yesterday was a pretty soggy one, but the good news is tonight’s punk main stage should help release some frustration over the weather. And if punk is not your scene, there’s plenty of great artists around the other stages to make for a great night, no matter your tastes.
RBC STAGE
- 6:00 pm – Cancer Bats
- 7:30 pm – Silverstein
- 9:30 pm – The Offspring
When Neil Young and his band were forced to cancel their shows due to illnesses, Bluesfest organizers needed to scramble to fill the vacancies on their lineup. Finding a headliner this late in the game is never easy, but somehow they pulled off a miracle, booking an exceptional punk triple header to fill the gap.
First is Toronto’s Cancer Bats, the legendary hardcore band has been a pillar of the punk scene. Marking their 20th anniversary this year, they might not have charting hits, but they have earned themselves a dedicated fanbase, and multiple Juno nominations over the years, thanks to their unwavering intensity and commitment to their sound.
Another Canadian band with over two decades under their belt, Burlington’s Silverstein fits squarely in the Warped Tour era post-hardcore/screamo, and found its own dedicated fanbase in that niche – one that has remained active as evidenced by the popularity of festivals like When We Were Young. And much like most of the bands in their genre, despite limited chart exposure, they manage to rack up millions of streams thanks to that active fanbase, and packed the Bronson Centre last November for an amazing show.
Lastly, the organizers were able to bring back The Offspring to headline the night. Last at Bluesfest in 2019, they played an epic set opening for Alexisonfire, and the Orange Country punk legends set off one of the most memorable mosh pits (which included members of their opening act The Dirty Nil, now in the pit). Since then, they’ve not only released an album in 2021, but have a brand new one on the horizon, expected to drop in the fall, so fans can hope to hear some as-yet-unreleased material.
RIVER STAGE
- 6:30 pm – Merle Marlow Band
- 8:00 pm – Alexa Goldie
- 9:30 pm – Josh Ross
If the mainstage is too punky and you prefer the country music of the past few nights, then the River Stage is where you’ll want to park yourself.
First up is Montreal’s Merle Marlow Band, who released their first EP Big Dreams & Gasoline last May, which builds on their last single “Living It Up On Summertime” that gained attention from radio stations. Between the title track and songs like “Honkytonk Right Now”, their set will get the crowd moving for sure.
Continuing the modern country trend is Kingston’s Alexa Goldie. Based in Nashville since 2022 to immerse herself in the music industry, her last three singles since then have all had more success, and her newest, “Bad Boy”, this year continues to build on that as she’s now crossed the million streams mark on Spotify.
Completing the Canadian Country triple bill is Waterdown, Ontario’s Josh Ross. Having moved to Nashville in 2019, he honed his songwriting and sound, and his breakthrough single “First Taste of Gone” was his first to chart in Canada, and set the stage for a string of hits, leading to his label debut Complicated released this year. It also marks his first songs to chart in the US as well, opening the door to much more success to come.
SIRIUSXM STAGE
- 5:45 pm – Jessica Pearson and The East Wind
- 6:45 pm – John Allaire and The Campistas
- 8:00 pm – Corb Lund
Over in the tent, the country takes on a more traditional/folk feel than the modern take on the River Stage, starting off with local artist Jessica Pearson and the East Wind. Her singer-songwriter folk styling from her 2022 album On the Line continue to evolve, first with “Row” her moodier 2023 single that charted on the Canadian indie country chart, and then in a more lighthearted direction on her latest single “Self Helpless”, but just as catchy.
The next local mainstay to take the stage is John Allaire and The Campistas. With decades of experience, and thousands of miles on the road, the veteran continues to entertain crowds relentlessly. His mix of rock adds various elements from folk to blues and everything in between as his storytelling morphs throughout his catalog depending on the backing band and style. With The Campistas, you can expect a bit more of a raucous set than his later solo set in the theatre.
Closing the tent tonight is Alberta’s Corb Lund. Emerging in the mid 90s, his throwback country troubadour sounds were a stark contrast to the polished country that dominated the airwaves at the time. The purity and honesty in his songs struck a chord (so to speak) with fans, and by his 2002 album Five Dollar Bill, he began to gain traction with singles “Roughest Neck Around” and fan favourite “Time to Switch to Whiskey”. Then came his breakout his “The Truck Got Stuck” that got tons of radio and tv airplay, a Juno and Canadian Country Music Awards, and built his loyal fanbase that has stuck with him for the ensuing two decades. With his12th studio album out last February, his storytelling remains impeccable – earnest, personal, witty, and always entertaining.
BARNEY DANSON THEATRE
- 6:30 pm – Kaya Fraser
- 8:00 pm – Steph Strings
- 9:30 pm – John Allaire
Inside the Theatre, local songstress Kaya Fraser brings her folk songs to the intimate venue, a perfect complement for her atmospheric songs, such as “Caribou Horses” and “The Stars”. A nice way to enjoy the quieter aspects of the festival.
Continuing the folk offerings, Australian singer-songwriter Steph Strings. Her exceptional guitar skills are evident throughout her music, from mellow “Dusty Road” to bluesy “LION” which has more bite (pun intended), and given the level of talent, this likely won’t be the last time we see her on a festival lineup.
DJs tonight:
ACCORA VILLAGE SPIN STAGE (6:00 pm): ALAMUSIC
THE CRAZY HORSE SALOON (7:00 pm): DJ Kwame
RBC Ottawa Bluesfest runs from July 4-14 at Lebreton Flats, with passes and tickets available here.
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