Ottawa Bluesfest – July 12 – A Night of Sonic Contrasts and Emotional Resonance Feat: Kurt Vile, The Pixies, Andre Bisson, Melissa Ouimet, Men I Trust, Shaina Hayes, Sue Foley, The Budos Band & Turnstile
Ottawa Bluesfest – July 12 – A Night of Sonic Contrasts and Emotional Resonance Feat: Kurt Vile, The Pixies, Andre Bisson, Melissa Ouimet, Men I Trust, Shaina Hayes, Sue Foley, The Budos Band & Turnstile
Review and pictures by Cole Lewis of The Photo Roadies (www.thephotoroadies.ca)
Day three of Ottawa Bluesfest delivered a vibrant mosaic of sound, emotion, and energy. As the sun bore down on LeBreton Flats, the heat became a shared challenge; one that was met with cheers as water sprayed over the crowd waiting at the RBC Main Stage. The atmosphere was electric, not just from the weather, but from the anticipation of a night that would span genres and generations.
Kurt Vile opened the evening at RBC Main Stage with his signature blend of hazy guitar work and laid-back vocals, drawing festivalgoers from across the grounds. His set felt like a slow exhale, a gentle invitation into the night. The VIP area quickly filled with those wanting to catch every nuanced riff up close. The Pixies followed, igniting a wave of nostalgia and raw emotion. One fan, moved by memories of a late friend who adored the band, paid tribute in a striking way performing handstands during “Where Is My Mind?” as a literal embodiment of the lyric, “with my head in the ground and my feet in the air.”
Then came TURNSTILE, finished the night with explosive jumps and moving about the stage. Their backdrop of light created a blur of silhouettes. From the first note, the crowd was airborne; crowd surfing, jumping, and shouting lyrics back with fervor. Despite the chaos, the band paused to reflect on their journey and the people who shaped them, offering a rare moment of vulnerability that grounded their explosive performance.
The River Stage was a celebration of powerful female voices. Melissa Ouimet opened with heartfelt gratitude, speaking to the significance of performing in Ottawa as a French-Canadian artist from a small town. Her connection with the crowd, especially the younger fans, was palpable, a quiet reminder that representation matters.
Shaina Hayes followed, her presence as earthy and vivid as her green dress and orange hat. Her music felt rooted in nature, grounded and sincere, as if she had wandered out of the forest to share stories only, she could tell. Men I Trust closed the stage with a dreamlike set, their harmonies floating over the crowd in a moody, minimalist haze. The dim lighting only deepened the intimacy of their performance.
André Bisson kicked off the LeBreton Stage with a rich, soulful set that showcased his vocal range and musical finesse. But it was Sue Foley who truly owned the space. With just a glance and a guitar riff, she had the crowd in the palm of her hand. Her storytelling through blues was magnetic, and her ability to connect; before even speaking, was a masterclass in stage presence. Her later set at the Barney Danson Theatre drew such a crowd that many couldn’t get in.
If you weren’t dancing during The Budos Band, you were in the minority. Their set was pure, unfiltered fun; horns blaring, rhythms pulsing, and bodies moving. Their energy was infectious, and the crowd responded in kind, turning the field into a dance floor under the stars.
