Ottawa Bluesfest Day 2
Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 – July 10th
Pics and Review by Cole Lewis
Day two arrived with a buzz of anticipation, as a wide spectrum of soughtafter acts prepared to take over the festival grounds.
On the LeBreton Stage, the night kicked off with SexBandit, a husband‑and‑wife duo backed by a full band. Their set was instantly catchy, bursting with energy that matched the heat of the already steaming day. They were followed by Miko Marks, whose soulful blues vocals wrapped the crowd in warmth. She invited fans to bring forward the memory of loved ones who could join them “in spirit,” adding a touching communal moment to the evening. The stage closed with the legendary Steve Earle, who drew a massive crowd inside and outside the tent. Between songs, he shared a story from his days working as a framer and the tacos that made the hard work worthwhile, earning laughs and cheers before launching into more fan favourites.
Over at the Barney Danson Theatre, Gwenifer Raymond stunned listeners with her blistering finger‑picking guitar work. Her rhythms never let up, creating a hypnotic, driving set that held the room in quiet awe.
The Hard Rock Stage was a full‑tilt party from start to finish. My Son the Hurricane opened with their trademark high‑octane dance‑party energy, getting everyone on their feet. They set the tone perfectly for Hank Azaria & the EZ Street Band, where Azaria; famous for voicing Moe Szyslak on The Simpsons, shared stories about how he got into voice acting and the creation of Moe. Between anecdotes, he and his young band delivered spirited Springsteen covers that had the crowd roaring. Marc Rebillet closed the night with his signature chaos: audience‑driven improvisation, flames shooting skyward, and plenty of dancing in his underwear. In a heartfelt moment, he encouraged the crowd to reach out for support during tough times, even crafting a song on the spot about it.
On the RBC Main Stage, it was hit after hit. Local favourites FITH opened with a high‑energy performance, powering through technical issues with one of the guitars and still delivering a tight, crowd‑pleasing set. Cypress Hill followed with a barrage of classics, sending waves of nostalgia through a rapidly filling main stage area. Then came Limp Bizkit, one of the night’s undeniable crowd favourites. The audience belted out every song, and two young women were invited onstage to join Fred Durst for “Full Nelson,” delivering it with full commitment from start to finish.
Under clear skies and summer stars, Day 2 of Bluesfest proved to be a night packed with energy, emotion, and unforgettable performances.
