Smooth Vibes on Day 2 of RBC Ottawa Bluesfest

The second day of Bluesfest was dedicated to those who sought to chill with Jack Johnson headlining and Tash Sultana stealing the show for many.

The weather has been exceptional so far for the 2022 edition of RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. I realize that I probably just jinxed it, but last night was a nice combination of sunlight, cooler evenings and some chill vibes from the performers. First up on the big stage were locals Nambi & The Rhythm. So local in fact that Nambi spotted her sixth grade teacher in the audience and they had a bit of a conversation before the music started. It was a really charming interchange between the two and she immediately endeared herself to the gathering crowd. Talented singer-songwriter Nambi is a powerhouse of acoustic soul. In addition to her obvious musical accomplishments, she leading Ottawa-based workshops, organizes community events and is a mom to two young boys. Her lyrics are based on compassion and a quest for peace in the world. It was a joy to watch and listen to Nambi and her band interact with one another in such a harmonious way.

The next act we caught was Mack & Ben on the River stage. Mackenzie and Ben Di Millo are an Ottawa-based sister-brother duo. Influenced by R&B, pop, soul, folk, and everything in between, this band is fresh, fiery, and full of funk. For the fashionistas in the crowd, I noticed that Mack’s vivid red dress and hairstyle was all business on top with a raw hem at the bottom. That dress to me was the personification of the smooth yet edgy vibe of this group. Showcasing their cohesiveness as siblings and musicians, they very obviously made some new fans last night.

Next up was one of the most anticipated acts of the festival for me personally. I’ve been hearing of Tash Sultana for a number of years and they continue to blow up internationally. Concert photographers and concert goers seem to adore them universally and last night I could see why. A very strange looking setup was on the stage as we entered the pit. Guitars, drums, a flute, and many more. Sultana, the gender fluid multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer and engineer, has been dubbed one of the hardest working music exports in Australia. Tash began playing the guitar from the age of 3 after being gifted the instrument from their late grandfather. From there Tash began to pick up other instruments such as piano/keyboard/synth, bass, drums/percussion, beat making/ sampling, beatboxing, trumpet, saxophone, flute, mandolin, oud, harmonica, lap steel, panpipes and arranged it into loop style performances along with percussive and finger tapping style guitar playing coinciding with a vocal range stretching 5 octaves. They are a powerhouse and their live show was simply incredible.

By the age of 13 Tash was playing at open mic nights up to 6 times a week across Victoria. Tash’s refusal to conform to normal society pushed the young artist onto the streets of Melbourne to busk, where they harnessed crowd stopping performances on Melbourne’s famous ‘Bourke Street’. From there a viral bedroom recording of ‘Jungle’ in 2016 skyrocketed the artist off the street and in front of the world. Since then Tash has broken attendance records on non-stop across sold out global arena tours, their accolades rush in faster than there is time to count them. In 2019 alone, Tash sold over half a million tickets across the globe.

Rushing over to the River stage, The New Pornographers were playing to some obviously loyal fans. The New Pornographers are a Canadian indie rock band, formed in 1997 in Vancouver. Presented as a musical collective of singer-songwriters and musicians from multiple projects, the band has released eight studio albums to critical acclaim for their use of multiple vocalists and elements of power pop incorporated into their music. The band makes fun music that’s even more fun in front of an audience. Watching the band make people happy through their music is always a treat, and watching The New Pornographers do so this deftly on such a nice night was a reminder of why we love this festival so much.

Finally the man everyone had come to see was up! Concert photographers scrambled to make sure that everyone had a mask on as Jack’s crew requested. The lights dimmed, the crowd swelled and he was all smiles as he greeted them. In caswe you’ve been living under a rock, Jack Johnson is an American singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and former professional surfer. Johnson is known primarily for his work in the soft rock and acoustic pop genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. Johnson has reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart with his albums Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George in 2006, Sleep Through the Static in 2008, To the Sea in 2010 and From Here to Now to You in 2013. His album In Between Dreams peaked at number two on the chart in 2005 and again in 2013. Laid back, chill and mellow were the epithets of the night. Johnson’s concerts are often described as like going to a party with friends and family, a really large party. With the exception of a large screen behind the band, the stage was simple and the setting felt intimate. It was nice to see him interact with his band and seem to really enjoy himself. We then all headed home to make a fresh batch of banana pancakes and to get ready for country night tonight!

Jack Johnson performs at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

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