Category Archives: Heavy Metal

It’s that time of year again and Ottawa Bluesfest is starting the annual buildup to their lineup announcement. This year it’s all about the social media with hints coming in via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and SnapChat (ottawabluesfest).

After reading through Corey’s top 10 artists to watch in 2016 I started thinking of who I would put in that list. There are definitely similarities between my 10 and Corey’s, as you will see.  2015 has been a big year for Canadian country music from the tour perspective with all the major players hitting the road, Dallas Smith started the year with his hugely successful “Tippin’ Point Tour” featuring Sundy Best and now this fall Dean Brody and Paul Brandt just wrapped up their “Road Trip Tour”, Brett Kissel and Jordan McIntosh are currently on the road with their “Airwaves Tour” and Tebey kicks off his “Three’s A Party Tour” with Jason Blaine and James Otto on Friday in Halifax and to cap off the year Tim Hicks is hitting the road with Cold Creek County and Jason Benoit for their “Get A Little Crazy Tour”.  Notice something missing? Out of all the tours above only the “Road Trip Tour” featured tomatoes as an added ingredient with Lindi Ortega, Jess Moskaluke, Madeline Merlo and Whitney Rose featured throughout the tour.

So let’s take a look at who I think has the greatest chance of breaking out in the coming year, 2016.

ALEXISONFIRE

One of the few reunion shows, makes me feel
pretty lucky, although I may have heard a rumour there could be some more shows
added.

Motörhead

Oh Lemmy, what can I say! Their mix of
rock, punk and heavy metal intensity is just what I’m looking for.

Weezer x2

I’m just going to say it, I’ve never seen Weezer live. Thank you RiotFest for letting me get in a two for one. Day 1 – Pinkerton, Day 2 – Blue. I can hardly wait!

The Airborne Toxic Event

One of my all time favourites, super happy they’re on the bill and any time I can see these fantasic musicians play, I’m in.

Wu Tang Clan

What??? Yes, I can’t believe I’m going to get to shoot these guys. They’ve got a new album, “A Better Tomorrow” dropping December 2nd and I’m pretty sure we’ll get to hear some of it on Sunday.

Rancid

They’re playing Out Come The Wolves, only my favourite album. When did this become a thing? I’m glad it is.

Andrew W.K.

This is another “I can’t believe I get to shoot this” moment. Not only does he party hard, he’s so smart!

Thrice

A reunion I’m thrilled about.

Die Mannequin

Love, love, love. So glad they’re on the bill.

Against Me

Insert emotional attachment here. Lots of history with this band. Looking forward to new material.

Gwar

CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE THIS BAND! Masters of the stage show this should be fantastic.

The Dirty Nil

I first saw these guys at Canadian Music Week and they blew me away. Great energy, they’re localish, from Hamilton and they deserve to be there.

Stuck on Planet Earth

They were on the same bill as The Dirty Nil at CMW and well worth your time at Riot Fest.

Tasha the Amazon

And I’ve been told I absolutely have to check out Tasha the Amazon doing zero research and going into it open.

I’m going to stop but there are so many more go check out the schedule and if you haven’t bought a ticket yet, what are you waiting for?

To be honest, this lineup is problematic in that, it’s impossible as one human being to see everyone you’d like to see. A pretty awesome problem to have.

Did I miss your favourite? Let us know who you think we should add to our list!

After an incredible start to this year’s Ottawa Bluesfest the second week was the week that had more of the music I was interested loaded so it was no doubt one I would be looking forward to covering.  Initial plans were that I would be finished my shifts with the Green Team by this point as well but health issues in the first week forced me to pick up some shifts in the second week.

It’s hard to believe that the event that I’ve been anticipating all year is already halfway through.  It feels like just yesterday that the Full Flex Express rolled into town kicking off what would be an incredible 11 days of live entertainment along the Ottawa River.  New to our coverage this year is the addition of Sean Sisk, our new resident event photographer extraordinaire in the Ottawa region.  Sean’s incredible pictures will appear throughout my reviews and allow me to focus on the music and our social media coverage instead of trying to get the perfect shot. 

Twas the night before Bluesfest and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.  The grounds are all ready, the stages are set in hopes that the music will soon be here.  The fans are nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of music and lights danced in their heads.  It all kicks off tomorrow afternoon and here are my picks for week #1!

Day 1 of Amnesia Rockfest 2015 kicked off with a bang. Actually a lot of really loud bangs between the thunder early in the day to the early sets this little sleepy was awoken from its slumber in a hurry. 

RBC Ottawa Bluesfest organizers today announced two major additions to an ever-burgeoning line-up, which already includes such heavy weights as Keith Urban, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kanye West and more.

It’s no secret that the city of Ottawa is thirsting for country music lately, with two country music stations and a country heavy line-up at Ottawa Bluesfest, I can’t think of anyone better to kick off a summer of country music in Ottawa than the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan.  Living up to his title Luke proved he was more than ready, and able, to quench our thirst.

Dear Rouge – Black to Gold

The list of performers at this summer’s RBC Royal Bank Ottawa Bluesfest continues to grow with Vancouver’s Dear Rouge now added to the list.