After a magical Friday night, where the music and the weather cooperated (despite ominous clouds threatening to dampen the evening), to create a perfect festival experience, we’re heading into a Saturday that has a lot to live up to. And while we know TALK has unquestionably taken the crown as ‘Most Ottawa Entrance Ever’, today’s lineup very well could deliver, both for rockers as well as those who ‘harp’ on the lack of blues each year.
RBC STAGE
- 6:00 pm – JJ Wilde
- 7:30 pm – The Tea Party
- 9:30 pm – Mötley Crüe
The main stage is like a time warp rock line-up, starting with a very current rocker in JJ Wilde. Despite her move to Nashville, and a bit more country flavour in her recent single “Best of Me”, her rock roots remain very much at the forefront. Her new single “Takes Me Back” reconfirms to any of her fans that just because she’s in Nashville doesn’t mean she’s no longer the JJ Wilde from Kitchener we know and love.
Moving a bit further back in the timeline, we next have The Tea Party. No strangers to Ottawa, the Windsor trio will be making their fourth appearance at the festival, and at least 30 shows in town, having played everywhere over the last 35 years, from Zaphod’s to Canadian Tire Centre. And Ottawa’s love has been evident, given the number of added dates to sold out shows on their last few tours, including adding not one, but two shows at the Bronson Centre last fall.
Nudging the hands of time further back still, 80s rock legends Mötley Crüe first played Ottawa in 1985, and the mere fact the members of the band have survived this long is a miracle given the hard living they’ve been through. With new guitarist John 5 replacing Mick Mars, the band will be making their first trip back to town since 2015, and first ever at an Ottawa festival. And if there were any doubts, recent single “Dogs of War” proves they’re far from done, marking the fifth decade in which they’ve had a Top 10 single.
RIVER STAGE
- 6:30 pm – Charlie Edward
- 8:00 pm – Giacomo Turra
- 9:30 pm – James Kennedy
One to keep an eye on, Charlie Edward has music fans buzzing, and once festival goers get to experience him live, they’ll know why. Releasing his debut single “Bad Looks Good” YESTERDAY, you can’t get much more fresh, and getting to see this rock guitar prodigy at Bluesfest could very well become one of those moments of ‘I discovered him before he was huge’.
Next up is another virtuoso, this time with more funk than rock. Italian Giacomo Turra became an online sensation with his funky riffs, and has since released an album of collaborations including standout covers of “24K Magic” and “Virtual Insanity”. His latest single, May’s “The Way She Wants”, layers catchy vocals over his funky guitar to create an infectious song that will stick with fans long after his performance.
Moving away from the six-string to the turntables, DJ James Kennedy closes out the River Stage with a dance party of thumping beats. The Vanderpump Rules star’s venture into music should be no surprise given his godfather was George Michael, and with a decade of releases to date, he’s become a key figure on the DJ circuit with residencies at the most prestigious clubs.
SIRIUSXM STAGE
- 5:45 pm – Tony D Band
- 6:45 pm – Garret T. Willie
- 8:00 pm – Blues Harp Blow-Off
Over in the tent, a masterclass of blues will be front and centre, starting with Bluesfest mainstay Tony D and his band. Whether solo, with his backing band, or with MonkeyJunk, you simply cannot have a Bluesfest without Tony D making an appearance, as one of the preeminent Ottawa bluesmen for as long as there has been a festival.
From a veteran to a relative fresh face, 23 year old Garret T. Willie has the stage presence of a grizzled veteran, his debut album Same Pain brims with old soul energy. The BC bluesman sings like he has way more decades of wear and tear, heartache and pain, than he possibly could.
As a very special finish to the night, the festival has organized a Blues Harp Blow-Off, featuring some of yesterday’s great harmonica players, including Jerry Portnoy and Annie Raines, as well as local harp man (and also MonkeyJunk member and Bluesfest mainstay) Steve Marriner. May the best blues win!
BARNEY DANSON THEATRE
- 6:30 pm – Sean Pinchin
- 8:00 pm – TJ Wheeler
- 9:30 pm – Garret T. Willie
Another guitar virtuoso, but this time equipped with a slide, Toronto’s Sean Pinchin has been honing his skills on the road since 2005, he’s followed up his 2019 album Bad Things with three singles, and is currently working on new material, which if his latest single “Spring Bee” is any indication, should nab him more award nominations in the near future.
The theatre also hosts a Bluesfest regular in bluesman and educator TJ Wheeler. The legendary musician returns to the Theatre with his varied styles, spanning across traditional genres of blues, jazz, and ragtime.
DJs tonight:
ACCORA VILLAGE SPIN STAGE (6:00 pm): DJ Eazy EL Dee
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.