Category Archives: Canadiana

And then there was one…hard to believe 8 nights of RBC Bluesfest are already in the history books. Night 8 was definitely one of the warmer nights of the festival, even though there was definitely more heat for Shania last night felt much more humid. If it wasn’t hot enough already Ludacris and Pitbull took the thermostat and cranked it up even higher making for a steamy night at Lebreton Flats.

While hip-hop sensations Pitbull and Ludacris headlined at Bluesfest in Ottawa’s Lebreton Flats, a little closer to Parliament Hill, a different crowd filled the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall to capacity.

Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman, the talented duo behind Canadian phenomenon Choir! Choir! Choir! (C!C!C!) drew 2,000 wanna-be rock stars for two solid hours of entertainment featuring the music of British legends Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon of Queen fame.

A much calmer day, weatherwise, than the day before. With it being my dad’s 49th birthday I’m giving him the night off and taking over the review portion for night 7 of RBC Bluesfest. He’s going to help put it together but the thoughts are mine so please go easy on me as it’s my first time reviewing a show.

After a day of severe weather and even a confirmed tornado RBC Bluesfest continued as normal with notable performances by Amos The Transparent, Angelina Hunter Trio, Avery Raquel, The War on Drugs and headliner Mumford and Sons.

After a two day hiatus RBC Bluesfest returned on Wednesday with a bang as Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters exploded back onto the main stage at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa.

The intense heat finally let go of it’s grip on Ottawa this past Sunday as day 4 of the 2023 edition of RBC Bluefest continued to draw large crowds to Lebreton Flats.

Ottawa’s Lebreton Flats was the hottest place to be on Saturday night as an eclectic mix of musical talent performed across five stages on the lawns of the Canadian War Museum. Last night saw a different crowd as the mosh pit of younger, sweaty bodies from the previous two nights transitioned to a civilised expanse of lawn chairs, ported in by more mature patrons who came to see headliners Robert Plant with Alison Krauss, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and Steven Taetz on the main stage.

Be sure to check out the previous post covering the first two nights of the festival. The review comes straight from the eyes and ears of Soundcheck’s primary writer, who criss-crossed the Bluesfest grounds in his dual role as Green Team volunteer and music reviewer. This review, on the other hand, brings you a birds-eye view of the main stage performers from the VIP Club area because, let’s face it, why would anyone stray from having your own bar, free snacks and a private loo only a few steps away from a comfy patio lounge chair? Don’t miss the photo gallery below where our roving photographer shares some incredible captures of all the action from the festival’s third night.

The series of acts on the main stage might be described as the Big Chill to the Big Thrill, with Steven Taetz, contemporary roots, jazz and pop singer/songwriter, opening to a skeleton crowd that hadn’t yet fully filled the grounds. Definitely a loss for latecomers, in my opinion, since one could easily imagine the deep, expressive voice of the Toronto-based performer holding up nicely in the company of Michael Bublé or as a musical backdrop to a James Bond movie scene. 

Steven Taetz performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Ross Macdonald

Taetz has collaborated with Juno winners Jill Barber, Jenn Grant, Connie Kaldor, and Caroline Marie Brooks of Good Lovelies. Niche in some ways, while versatile in others, Taetz treated us to a musical offering from both his early albums, as well as “Late Bloom,” released earlier this year. At one point, he got a laugh from the audience as he pleaded for the crowd to be mindful of his mother-in-law, if seen to be crowd surfing across the stagefront.

Suffice to say that the vibe on the patio of the VIP Club was pretty chill. Full disclosure is needed at this point: Soundcheck photo contributor Rob Clairmont and myself were on a night off from wearing our beverage cashier volunteer hats, so anything would have been more chill than serving snaking line-ups of thirsty festival patrons (still an awesome gig if anyone is interested).

As more patrons with lawn chairs started populating the green space, the energy started to mount in anticipation of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. Not surprisingly, these seasoned entertainers made short work of getting the crowd into the groove for an outstanding night of entertainment, especially with renowned stage guests Suzie Vinnick and Daniel Lanois.   

Well-loved singer/songwriters Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden, and Tom Wilson of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings brought huge energy to the stage for their performance. Together with special guests Daniel Lanois and Susie Vinnick, they were a musical powerhouse performing a smorgasbord of songs that kept the audience engaged and tapping their toes. The band congratulated Hamilton music legend Tom Wilson and three-time Juno winner for recently receiving the Order of Canada. Later in the show, he would challenge all of us to do our part in leaving the world a better place for our children and grandchildren, rather than looking to the government, corporations or religious organisations to do the work for us.

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

Daniel Lanois and members of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings share a long history and they credit him with changing their lives. Famed record producer and musician born just across the bridge in Gatineau, Quebec, Lanois has worked with some of the most iconic bands of the past few decades, including U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan. Joining the band on stage on guitar, steel guitar, and occasionally on vocals, it was interesting to watch how he used directive gestures to indicate changes in the volume dynamics through different songs.

Daniel Lanois performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

Finally, as the stage lights lit up the night sky and slightly cooler temperatures pushed out the heat, the moment arrived for the perhaps unlikely but certainly beloved duo of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss to command the main stage. By then, the patio lounge seating in the VIP Club was all but moot as it was standing room only. Those who were curious whether English-born 74-year-old Plant of Led Zeppelin fame still had what it takes to whip audiences into a rapturous frenzy would not be disappointed. Plant is a legend in his own right and will always be. Adding sugar to spice, the collaboration with bluegrass-country singer and fiddler, Alison Krauss, baked their shared fame to succulent perfection.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

Plant took the lead on engaging the crowd, while a more demure Krauss stood poised with hands clasped when not shining onstage with her trademark angelic vocals or virtuoso fiddling. Even without a palpable onstage chemistry, the pairing of musical mastery was more than enough to keep the crowd energised and phone cameras alit like beacons of light on a dark sea of fans. The 90-minute setlist sprinkled a few classic Led Zeppelin arrangements among tracks from the duo’s two collaborative studio albums, “Raising Sand,” (2007) and “Raise the Roof” (2021). The outstanding pairing of harmony with all-star backing musicians is the likely reason that “Raising Sand” sold more than a million copies and won six Grammy Awards and “Raise the Roof” pocketed three Grammy nominations.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

Noticeably nostalgic as the performance wound down, Plant revealed that the Ottawa performance would close out their year-long Raise the Roof tour, which included stops in the U.S. and Europe. Plant gave a heartfelt shout-out to their talented band, with special thanks to “the voice of the nightingale and his lifesaver,” Alison Krauss. After an encore song, the Everly Brothers cover “Gone, Gone, Gone,” Plant jokingly asked the crowd to stay looking interested as the entire band gathered, turned their backs to the crowd, and snapped a selfie to send to their kids. Seeing the band members as a parent first, professional second brought a real human dimension to the larger-than-life musical talents and definitely reverberated with the crowd. Hitting all the right notes, my guess is that this night will go down in Bluesfest history as one of the all-time favourites of Ottawa and outlying area fans.

More Photos from Day 3 Including Gabrielle Shonk, Matthew Chaffey, BLAKDENIM, and Sugaray Rayford.

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Sugaray Rayford performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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BlakDenim performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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BlakDenim performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Robert Plant and Alison Krauss perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Gabrielle Shonk performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Gabrielle Shonk performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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BlakDenim performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Sugaray Rayford performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Steven Taetz performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Ross Macdonald

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Gabrielle Shonk performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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BlakDenim performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Matthew Chaffey performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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BlakDenim performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Robert Plant and Alison Krauss perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

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Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron

Sunshine and hot temperatures welcomed fans to LeBreton Flatts in Ottawa as RBC Bluesfest kicked off it’s 2023 edition with large crowds for an opening night of country featuring Lindsay Ell and Shania Twain and a night of pure rock and roll featuring Billy Talent and Weezer.

Corteo invites its audience into a world of wonder. The story unfolds in the imagination of Mauro, a clown who conjures a joyous celebration somewhere between heaven and earth to mark his funeral in the company of celestial angels and zestful carnival entertainers.