Winterlude is coming up, and we know, *yawn*, but in recent years (say, post-2020…) we’ve come to look forward to a free concert series at The Rainbow, presented by the Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival. Set to run during Winterlude, from February 2-19, 2024, this year’s lineup is kind of bananas—drawing headliner artists who could just as well sell out a concert at Bronson Centre Music Theatre or the NAC’s Southam Hall.
Headlining the series are renowned Canadian acts such as Joel Plaskett, Wintersleep, Elliott Brood, and Sloan co-founder Chris Murphy. The concerts are free; however, you need to register for a ticket if you don’t want to miss a show! Truly, we’ll be shocked if these artists don’t draw full houses to The Rainbow.
Local music enthusiasts can look forward to an equally strong lineup of Ottawa artists like Jasmine Trails, Pony Girl, fanclubwallet, Alanna Sterling, Craig Cardiff, Summersets, Loon Choir, Graven, Steph La Rochelle, and more. This series is buzzing with #0ttmusic.
Apartment613 photographers will catch as many gigs as we can, so follow @apt613 for the sights and sounds. See the full lineup and schedule below.
Friday, February 2
- Steph La Rochelle, 8pm
- M.T. Walker, 9:15pm
- Wintersleep, 10:30pm
Saturday, February 3
- Stoby, 8pm
- The New Hires, 9:15pm
- JJ Wilde, 10:30pm
Sunday, February 4
- Jasmine Trails, 8pm
- Pony Girl, 9:15pm
- Ombiigizi, 10:30pm
The New Hires at Rainbow Bistro. Photo: Curtis Perry.
Thursday, February 8
- Bastards and the Buzzards, 8pm
- Loon Choir, 9:15pm
- Elliott Brood, 10:30pm
Friday, February 9
- The Hellions, 8pm
- Sorry Snowman, 9:15pm
- F!TH, 10:30pm
Saturday, February 10
- Graven, 8pm
- Alanna Sterling, 9:15pm
- Dizzy, 10:30pm
Dizzy performing at the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival in 2018. Photo: Landon Entwistle.
Tuesday, February 13
- Nick Posthumus and The Soft Maybes, 8pm
- Brother Elsey, 9:15pm
Wednesday, February 14
- Craig Cardiff, 8pm
Thursday, February 15
- Chemical Club, 8pm
- fanclubwallet, 9:15pm
- Chris Murphy (Sloan), 10:30pm
Friday, February 16
- Dunner, 8pm
- Neon Ghost House, 9:15pm
- Born Ruffians, 10:30pm
Saturday, February 17
- Summersets, 8pm
- Sarah Swire, 9:15pm
- Joel Plaskett, 10:30pm
The Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival’s free concert series runs from February 2–17, 2024, at The Rainbow Bistro (76 Murray St). Register for free tickets here. Visit icedragonboat.ca for more information.
Accessibility note: The entrance to Rainbow Bistro is up a flight of about 15 stairs. There are another five steps to the washrooms, which are not wheelchair accessible.
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