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It was another hot night at RBC Bluesfest and July 12 was a night that, for me, had the most acts in the lineup that I was keen to check out.

Saturday, Day 3 at the Ottawa Bluesfest. The humidity had finally broke but the heat was still intense and not just from the sun. The Bluesville stage continued to be host to some outstanding artists. The Texas Horns who have been perennial guest stars of the festival for close to 20 years, were joined by The Split for a set of their own. If you love blues which is heavily driven by a horn section, The Texas Horns are a band you don’t want to miss. Kaz Kazanoff, John Mills and Al Gomez had the room full of excitement and energy that was thoroughly enjoyed by a packed house.

It’s hard to believe we’re already heading into day 3 of RBC Bluesfest. As anticipation grew in Ottawa for Eric Church’s appearance on Friday night mother nature decided to toy with music fans a little bit. Right around the time the music would normally start at the festival grounds the sky grew dark and mother nature unleashed her furry with heavy rain, lightning and strong winds. Would this be it for the night or would she let up in time for the show to go on?

Celebrating 25 years, Ottawa’s Bluesfest kicked off last night. One couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the festivities then having legendary rocking bluesman Steven Van Zandt and the Disciples of Soul headline the Bluesville stage. 

Alright Ottawa, time to let out a unified breathe of relief. After a few extra weeks, a couple of false leads and a whole lot of speculation, your RBC Bluesfest line-up has finally dropped.

If you’ve been out to an O-town festival or caught some live music at one of the clubs, chances are you’ve seen Steve Berndt perform. The man gets around. From swinging performances with soul sensations The Commotions, bopping beats and jumpin’ blues with The Jivewires, to smaller trio tributes to Tom Waits, Berndt and his trombone have been making the Capital groove for years.

Well as many of you who know me know, I HATE this day!!! Although this was by far the HOTTEST Bluesfest I’ve been to in 8 years, it’s never easy to see it come to an end. 2018 saw record temperatures and 300,000 music fans come to Lebreton Flats in Ottawa for 10 days of incredible music.

Well Day 9 started off a little earlier than the previous day. With it being the second last day…I didn’t want to waste it no matter how just about done I am lol! Some of the highlights on my list included Elijah Woods x Jamie Fine, Jessie Reyez, Rae Sremmurd, Colin James and, of course a sampling of everything in between.

As a full festival pass holder for the past 8 years, I go to the festival to have a great time, see a lot of my faves, a few I was not a fan of before, that I am a fan of now, old acts, new acts and discover new artists/bands I’ve never heard of before and are amazing. There is no other feeling in the world, like the way seeing that artist right there in front of my face, singing along with them live and not through headphones or YouTube etc, or catching their attention if only for a second. Maybe you get a chance to be able to touch them quick as they pass right by you, and how it makes me feel the music even deeper inside my soul then I already do!! I have had goosebumps every at least 30 seconds every day at this festival this year, and pretty much cried while watching some shows every night for the first 5 days!!! I’m that emotional kind of fan lol!!

Whether you’re down with O.P.P. or just looking to get Lost Together with thousands of other concert goers Thursday night at RBC Bluesfest was the night for everyone who loved to sing, or rap, at the top of their lungs like it was 1999.