Cityfolk Festival Returns to Ottawa Sept 11-15
Returning for another year to close out the summer is Ottawa’s CityFolk Festival. And just like big sister festival Bluesfest you won’t just be hearing one genre of music.
Wet start didn’t dampen spirits on night one of Ottawa Bluesfest’s 30th Anniversary Edition
Anyone else find it was just yesterday that we were talking about the end of Ottawa Bluesfest 2023? Where did the year go? It’s also been 10 years now since I’ve been covering this event so huge kudos to Joe, AJ, Mark and the entire team behind the scenes for inviting us out every year and giving us the opportunity to showcase this world class event.
Dawn Tyler Watson Plays Montreal Jazz Festivals Blues Night
As a blues fan, catching eye to eye with our Blues Night artist, Juno Award recipient Dawn Tyler Watson, and her seven-piece band at Le Balcon in downtown Montreal was a magical experience. Dawn lit up the dark room for the Montreal Jazz Festival, happening between June 27 and July 6, 2024.
A Night With Half Moon Run at Festival L’appel Montréal
On Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Park Olympic in Montreal, the L’appel Montréal festival headlined by Montreal’s own Half Moon Run took place, filling the evening with Indie Rock.
An Electrifying Show From Pinkpantheress In Montreal
On April 10, 2024, Pinkpantheress (Victoria Walker) singer-songwriter and producer from the UK, played a packed Beanfield Theater in Montreal with BKTHERULA opening for her.
Hozier “Takes us to Church” with his Closing Performance at CityFolk 2023
Sunday, September 17th, 2023, saw the final day of Ottawa’s CityFolk festival, and to say it was the biggest day is an understatement. Fans lined up at the gates at 5 p.m. waiting for the arrival of tonight’s incredible headliners to hit the stage, and the anticipation was all worth it in the end.
KALEO makes an Incredible Return to Canada at CityFolk Music Festival After Five Years
Day 4’s lineup for CityFolk Music Festival sure didn’t disappoint, so much that fans were lined up to get inside before gates opened and the entire front of the stage was packed with screaming teenage fans anxiously awaiting the artists as of 5:00 p.m.
Colin James Brought That Voodoo Thing To Kemptville Live!
Thursday, July 20th, The Kemptville Live Music Festival officially roared back to life and we were there for it. The headliner for the night was Canadian blues/rock legend, Colin James and what a time he gave us! Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Colin many times and I really think he just keeps getting better each time. Thursday night in Kemptville, he was in top form and that always translates into a good time for the crowd too.
Colin James, July 20, Kemptville Live. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Sharing the stage with Colin James are some of the finest musicians in the business. Longtime guitarist Chris Caddell, with Jesse O’Brien on keyboards, Geoff Hicks on drums and Steve Marriner on bass and harmonicas. Al seasoned pros in their own rights but together they form one of the tightest bands in the business.
Other notable acts for the evening were, Bent Up Good, Jenie Thai and The Commotions. Jeni Thai has been taking the blues world be storm of late and last week was no exception. With her talented abilities on piano and her clear, beautiful voice, she had no trouble winning over the crowd!
Jenie Thai, Kemptville Live, July 20, 2023. Photo: Ron Pettitt
The Commotions were a power-house too, with their 11 piece band including a horn section, bringing some funk, soul and R & B that just blew people away. The vocals were taken care of by their triple threat lead singers, Jeff Rogers, Rebecca Noelle and MacKenzie DiMillo and what a dynamic group they are. They can handle just about whatever you throw at them. The talent didn’t stop with the vocals either, this band is for real.
The Commotions, July 21, 2023. Kemptville. Photo: Ron Pettitt
As the night drew to a close, I looked back on the events of the opening day of the festival and thought how great it was to be experiencing live music with some of the best people. Kemptville Live was back.
For more information about any of these performers, check out their websites.
The Commotions, July 21, 2023. Kemptville. Photo: Ron Pettitt
The Commotions, July 21, 2023. Kemptville. Photo: Ron Pettitt
The Commotions, July 21, 2023. Kemptville. Photo: Ron Pettitt
The Commotions, July 21, 2023. Kemptville. Photo: Ron Pettitt
The Commotions, July 21, 2023. Kemptville. Photo: Ron Pettitt
The Commotions, July 21, 2023. Kemptville. Photo: Ron Pettitt
The Commotions, July 21, 2023. Kemptville. Photo: Ron Pettitt
The Commotions, July 21, 2023. Kemptville. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Jenie Thai, Kemptville Live, July 20, 2023. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Jenie Thai, Kemptville Live, July 20, 2023. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Jenie Thai, Kemptville Live, July 20, 2023. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Jenie Thai, Kemptville Live, July 20, 2023. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Jenie Thai, Kemptville Live, July 20, 2023. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Bent Up Good, Kemptville Live. July 20, 2023. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Bent Up Good, Kemptville Live. July 20, 2023. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Bent Up Good, Kemptville Live. July 20, 2023. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Colin James, July 20, Kemptville Live. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Colin James, July 20, Kemptville Live. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Colin James, July 20, Kemptville Live. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Colin James, July 20, Kemptville Live. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Colin James, July 20, Kemptville Live. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Colin James, July 20, Kemptville Live. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Colin James, July 20, Kemptville Live. Photo: Ron Pettitt
Mumford and Sons set off fireworks at RBC Bluesfest on Thursday night!
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.
