Ottawa Bluesfest – Day 8

Ottawa Bluesfest: A Saturday Night to Remember (Day 8)

Reviews and Pictures by Cole Lewis

Wow. What a way to spend a Saturday night at Ottawa Bluesfest. Despite a rocky start due to a rainstorm that delayed the opening of the gates, Day 8 quickly turned into one of the most energetic and memorable nights of the festival. For those who arrived early and waited out the rain, the payoff was more than worth it.
Over at the LeBreton Stage, the evening kicked off with Kasador from Kingston. Their gritty rock sound offered a different vibe from much of the night’s lineup, but it provided a strong and welcome start to the festivities.
Next came Grace Bowers, who absolutely blew everyone away. Wise far beyond her years, Bowers came alive on stage with a confidence and musicianship that were impossible to ignore. Her funk and blues influences shone through every guitar riff, while her infectious vocals captivated the crowd. It was the perfect setup for what may have been the most entertaining performance of the entire festival.

Enter Here Come the Mummies. Making their entrance as a marching band through the crowd before taking the stage, the mysterious mummies immediately had everyone’s attention. They stayed completely committed to their characters throughout a wildly energetic set. What some might dismiss as a gimmick quickly revealed itself as a brilliantly immersive live experience, combining incredible musicianship with nonstop entertainment. Festival goers kept streaming toward the stage as word spread about the spectacle unfolding at LeBreton, and by the end of the set, many had discovered a new favorite act.

Inside the Barney Danson Theatre, blues legend and storyteller TJ Wheeler delivered a very different but equally engaging experience. He shared stories about the impact of the students from his Blues in the Schools program and reflected on how they continue to influence his music, particularly during the opening portion of his set.
Things were a little more challenging at the Hard Rock Stage, where delays caused by extended sound checks pushed the schedule back throughout the evening. Unfortunately, those delays meant us missing Ottawa locals Bridge Music. However, the stage soon found its groove with Aqyila, whose continued rise in the music industry comes as no surprise. Her grace and stage presence were mesmerizing, and she delivered a performance that demonstrated exactly why so many people are taking notice.

Closing out the Hard Rock Stage was Mariah the Scientist. Long before she appeared, fans were chanting and screaming in anticipation. Once she finally stepped onto the stage, the energy was electric. The crowd sang every word right back to her, creating one of the loudest singalongs of the night. Joined by dancers on stage, she delivered a beautiful and emotional performance that provided a fitting conclusion to an incredible evening.
Meanwhile, over at the RBC Stage, it was impossible to stand still. Billie du Page got things started with a vibrant set that seamlessly blended both her French and English songs. Switching between languages helped her connect effortlessly with the Ottawa crowd. Her soaring vocals immediately grabbed attention, and when dancers joined her during “Fake Friends,” the audience was fully invested. From that point forward, people were dancing and singing throughout the rest of her set.

Then came the one and only Mr. Boombastic himself, Shaggy. Shaggy delivered exactly what fans hoped for: a hit-packed set loaded with energy, charisma, and nostalgia. His voice showed no signs of losing its touch, and the crowd responded by singing along to virtually every song. Young and old alike were united in a giant party atmosphere as classic hits and familiar samples kept the energy levels high from start to finish.
Closing out the main stage festivities was Gwen Stefani. Access for photographers was tightly restricted with no professional photos for the night, but the performance itself delivered exactly what fans were hoping for. Stefani rolled through her catalogue of hits, danced with fans, and kept the atmosphere light and fun. One of the night’s most memorable moments came when she invited fans dressed as bananas onto the stage, creating a playful and fitting finale to an already unforgettable night.

Day 8 had it all: a weather delay, incredible musicianship, surprises, singalongs, dancing, and nonstop energy. From the jaw-dropping talent of Grace Bowers to the chaotic fun of Here Come the Mummies, the nostalgia-fueled party of Shaggy, and the star power of Gwen Stefani, this was Bluesfest firing on all cylinders. Rain or not, Saturday night was absolutely worth the wait.