Maroon 5, Carley Rae Jepson, Tyler Shaw and more deliver for biggest crowd yet at Ottawa Bluesfest Sunday

It was another hot one at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa on Sunday as this year’s largest crowd yet descended on Ottawa Bluesfest for a night featuring Tyler Shaw

Made it to the festival just in time to catch the end of Tyler Shaw’s set. Shaw delivered a vibrant and heartfelt performance, capturing the audience with his infectious energy and soulful vocals. The Canadian singer-songwriter charmed the crowd from the moment he stepped on stage, kicking off his set with a blend of upbeat anthems and emotional ballads.

Shaw’s stage presence was magnetic, effortlessly engaging the audience and creating an intimate atmosphere despite the festival’s large venue. His interactions with the crowd made everyone feel like they were part of something special.

Next up on the RBC Stage was a young lady that I’ve been following for over a decade now since shortly after her third place finish on the 5th season of Canadian Idol. Carly Rae Jepsen lit up the stage on a vibrant Sunday night at Ottawa Bluesfest, delivering a pop-infused performance that thrilled the packed audience with infectious energy and catchy tunes. But when she jumped into her breakout hit, “Call Me Maybe” the crowd went wild, people literally went running to the stage to try and catch a glimpse of her performance.

With her undeniable talent, infectious charisma, and knack for crafting irresistibly catchy songs, Jepsen proved why she remains a beloved figure in the pop music scene. For those lucky enough to witness it, the night was a celebration of music, dance, and unforgettable moments that will linger long after the final notes faded away.

Future Islands delivered a performance on the River Stage that was nothing short of electrifying, captivating the audience with their unique blend of synth-pop and impassioned stage presence.

From the moment Samuel T. Herring, the band’s charismatic front man, took the stage, clad in his signature dance-ready attire, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. From the first notes of “King of Sweden” Future Islands immediately commanded the attention of the crowd, setting the tone for a night of intense musical energy and emotional depth.

Herring’s stage presence was a spectacle in itself—a whirlwind of expressive dance moves, heartfelt gestures, and raw, emotive vocals that resonated throughout the venue. His ability to connect with the audience on a visceral level transformed each song into a deeply personal experience, drawing the audience into a shared journey of catharsis and celebration.

With their captivating stage presence, emotional depth, and infectious energy, Future Islands reaffirmed their status as one of the most compelling acts in contemporary indie music. For those in attendance, it was an unforgettable night of catharsis, connection, and pure sonic bliss.

The crowd embraced the heat waiting patiently until 9:30 pm for Maroon 5’s tattooed front man, Adam Levine, to start the night. After two days of gloomy skies, the weather finally warmed up and our beloved city gathered to watch heartthrob Adam take the stage.

Gracing us with his smooth vocals and chill stage presence, backed by his talented band, the crowd at LeBreton Flats Park went wild as Adam started with their hit “Animals” and soon made their way to everyone’s favourite single, “Sunday Morning”.

Maroon 5 put on an incredible performance, starting the night strong with their first hit single, “Harder to Breathe”. Adam expressed how thankful they were to still be playing after two decades, with some of the original band members.

Their first album, “Songs About Jane” was released 20 years ago and Adam was very excited and grateful to be playing for his fans. He loved interacting with the crowd and made sure to introduce each member of the band and include a little backstory for some of their songs, such as “Memories”. He added how the song holds a different meaning to everyone and encouraged the crowd to sing along as loud as they can.

Ending the evening with “Moves Like Jagger”, fans were listening way past the Bluesfest grounds watching and listening from Bayview station. Not the sweat or heat could keep fans away from the perfect Sunday night.

Night 4 was the biggest night of the 2024 festival, so far, but only a little bit bigger than Nickelback’s night 2 drawing. Although a very unofficial estimate I don’t feel that either night has come close to what Shania Twain drew for her performance last summer. (Maroon 5 review by Jenna Tregwin)

As Bluesfest resumes tonight we’ve got one of the most anticipated country shows in a very long time as Jelly Roll visits Ottawa for the first time ever and will deliver his second ever show on Canadian soil. Jelly Roll will be joined by Shaboozy and Dax. Expect large crowds tonight so come early if you want to get a good spot.

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