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.
The last Saturday night of Bluesfest is shaping up to be quite a party, as organizers already confirmed that the day is sold out.
Day 8: Saturday July 15th
RBC Stage
6:00 pm GRAE
7:30 pm Ludacris
9:30 pm Pitbull
The main stage is going to be a party tonight, starting off slowly and building up to worldwide proportions.
First up is Toronto’s GRAE. Finding immediate success in 2019 with her debut EP, the aptly named New Girl, she has continued to churn out chill pop songs that are both introspective and relatable. The melodies will draw you in, and next thing you know, you’re delving into the lyrics and emotions hiding behind those hooks. A great appetizer for the night’s festivities.
When not busy starring on the big screen, Ludacris has turned his breakout in 2000 into a two decade career of hits. With six platinum albums to his name, as well as hit collabs with Usher, Fergie, Justin Bieber, Lil Jon, and more, he’s had one of the biggest impacts on hip hop this millenium. Given he’s had a few collabs with Pitbull, might we see him pull double-duty and pop back on stage after his set?
Speaking of Pitbull, Miami’s Mr. 305 burst onto the scene around the same timeframe, and has continued to churn out hit albums right up to his last release in 2019, and with an album expected any time now, his streak is likely far from over. His Latin-flavoured hip hop/pop songs have garnered multi-billion streams, and have made him a Global Top 100 streamed artists, lending credibility to his Mr. Worldwide moniker. The main bowl is guaranteed to be packed and jumping all night.
River Stage (behind the Canadian War Museum)
6:30 pm Abby Stewart
8:00 pm Billianne
9:30 pm Julia Jacklin
While the upbeat party is happening on the mainstage, the River Stage will host a trio of artists that are more low-key, providing a sanctuary for the introverts needing a break from the exuberance over the hill.
Kicking things off with her cowboy boots is Kingston’s Abby Stewart. After her 2019 Bluesfest set, she has a few new singles released since then, her set will feature new material, including her latest, May’s “Love’s Gone” which highlights her emotive vocals.
Continuing on the 401, Milton’s Billianne has already had viral success very quickly. Her initial single, a cover of Tina Turner’s “Simply The Best,” gained attention for reworking the bold anthem into an intimate folk love song, accentuating the singer’s delicate voice. Her new EP The Things We Talk About dropped on streaming platforms just last week.
Originating slightly further than the 401, next up is Aussie Julia Jacklin. Jacklin has gained a strong following in her native Australia, and is finally gaining more attention worldwide. Her 2022 album Pre Pleasure, recorded in Montreal with her all-Canadian band, bridges her sound into similar territory as The National, with a bit more sonic intensity without losing the intimacy of the vocals. This year’s single “Shivers” continues that evolution masterfully, and should draw even more fans to her tonight.
SiriusXM Stage (behind Main Stage)
6:00 pm Joe McDonald
7:30 pm HOROJO Trio
9:00 pm Boston Levi
Unlike last night, the SiriusXM tent won’t have freshly made gumbo or a parachute-covered dance party, but what it will have is an all-local lineup of artists that wear their heart on their sleeves, and pour it into their blues and roots music.
Leading off is Ottawa Valley’s Joe McDonald, who’s a mainstay on the local music scene. Whether as part of the Gladsome Gentlemen, Joe McDonald and the Walkin’ Hawks, or solo, his guitar picking has made him recognizable in any project. His latest album, Human Dogs, takes him back to his acoustic roots.
Next is the HOROJO trio, composed of Jamie Holmes, Jeff Rogers, and JW Jones. Rogers’ soulful vocals with Jones’ blistering blues guitar combine to produce a combo that is greater than the sum of its parts. The experience of the trio shines through in how seamlessly they mesh together on their Set The Record album, which sounds like the result of a trio that has been playing together forever.
Closing the evening is Boston Levi. Hailing from Perth, the roots rocker has hit the ground running, with his debut EP Prophecies getting significant traction. His latest single, “Ghost of You,” released earlier this week, expands his sonic palette into a more expansive sound, yet remains grounded with the slight rasp in his voice.
Barney Danson Theatre (inside the Canadian War Museum)
6:30 pm Drew Nelson
8:00 pm TJ Wheeler
9:30 pm HOROJO Trio
Leading off tonight will be our own blues veteran Drew Nelson. Years of touring with the Back Alley John Revue, then his own Drew Nelson Band, and now solo, have earned him a Juno, as well as honed his skills, as evidenced on his last album, 2014’s The Other Side.
Following Nelson is another veteran of the local blues scene, TJ Wheeler. A Bluesfest regular, the legendary musician and educator will bring his varied styles to the stage, which span across an array of traditional genres including blues, jazz, and ragtime. A perfect way to set the stage with some history before HOROJO caps off the night with their more modern take.
Keep checking apt613.ca/bluesfest and our social media feeds for more previews and photos throughout the festival!