Bluesfest

Legendary performers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers closed out year number 24 of Ottawa Bluesfest with a 2-hour long show on the City Stage that drew large-scaled numbers. Earlier in the night, country star Tim Hicks played to an energetic crowd. High Waters, Claude Munson and more also performed on the final night.

Local rapper and international sensation Night Lovell took to the stage after arriving at the LeBreton stop on the 97 Bayshore.

Those that wandered into the Barney Danson Theatre during Bluesfest early Friday night were treated to something more than your average bluegrass band. Ottawa trio Old Man Grant whipped up their own brand of bluegrass brew that had flavours of country, folk, New Orleans dixieland, and a hefty heaping of foot-stomping hillbilly goodness.

A stellar line-up of evening acts on both the Claridge and City Stages Friday night were interrupted sporadically due to the threat of approaching thunderstorms.

It was a very rainy night at Bluesfest. Unfortunately, lightning cancelled a lot of shows and shortened sets by others. However, Apt613 photographers managed to shoot several performances.

Day 7 was a crazy night at Bluesfest.

The Zombies closed the Bluesville stage Tuesday night with a 75-minute set that stole the hearts of listeners and brought back an enormously endearing wave of nostalgia in a combination of mega-hits, covers, and career off-shoot material.

The Harea Band got things off to an energetic start early Tuesday night under the Bluesville tent, with their sophisticated brand of pop funk jazziness that had the crowd unable to sit still.

Sari Schorr plays RBC Bluesfest on July 16th on the Bluesville Stage.

Bluesfest’s All-Star Blues Revue celebrates the age old musical melange of the jam. Musicians who gather in a communal and unscripted release of their talents, often times resulting in some of the most magical creativity that is as wonderful to be a part of as it is to witness. This year celebrates the second series of these jams, seven in total, all held inside the Barney Danson Theatre.

Ottawa’s Princess of Soul, Bella Cat, gave listeners a power-packed performance inside the Bluesville Stage tent at Bluesfest Sunday afternoon.