Blues and Classic Rock to Finish Off RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa

Blues and classic rock fans were in for a treat on Saturday night in Ottawa. MonkeyJunk, April Wine, and officer of the order of Canada Tom Cochrane were on the impressive roster.

Local bluesmen and Juno award-winners Monkeyjunk opened up the warm Saturday night concert. Lead singer Steve Marriner, drummer Matt Sobb, and lead guitar wizard Tony Diteodoro seemed truly grateful to be playing the big stage in front of the home town crowd. Steve was sure to give a shout-out to his fiancée’s parents who were there to catch the show. Their sound was swampy, bluesy, and the small but quickly growing crowd couldn’t get enough of them.

Monkeyjunk performs at the Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

Next up were east coast fathers of rock April Wine. The band, fronted by the incomparable Myles Goodwin, took loyal fans on a trip down memory lane playing classics such as You Could Have Been a Lady and Sign of the Gypsy Queen. After just a few guitar chords to start each song, the crowd cheered and sang along. It was a good feeling to see everyone feel the music in their bones after such a long hiatus.

April Wine performs at the Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

With the crowd now fully pumped, the lights dimmed before Canadian icon Tom Cochrane and his Red Rider friends were up to bat. Noting how pretty the ladies in Ottawa are, and the men too of course (in this day and age you need to show equality he said), Tom delivered an energetic show that reminded us why he is a household name in Canada. Life is certainly a highway and when they broke into that hit, his fans went wild and sang along at the top of their lungs. What a great way to end this condensed, but excellent Bluesfest!