Ottawa Bluesfest 2103: Day 5

I used to think of Monday night at Bluesfest as the day they brought in a big act for the youngsters, but with the festival now trending much younger, perhaps it's the other way around. At any rate, if the 1970s were a big decade for you it was a pretty good evening out, with nice weather to boot.

Most of the main stage stuff got delayed by 15 minutes, so I headed off to the River Stage to see local metal rockers Iconoclast turn up the volume. 


Iconoclast at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2013

Last year's Grace Potter & The Nocturnals set got raves. I saw a bit of it but was left somewhat underwhelmed and probably wandered off somewhere to get a bit to eat. I did note in my followup that they were undoubtedly going to be invited back, and so it proved to be!


Grace Potter & The Nocturnals at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2013

Potter certainly looked smashing in her glam bathrobe.


Grace Potter & The Nocturnals at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2013

I then headed back to the River Stage to see another local band, The Goodluck Assembly.


Goodluck Assembly at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2013

Then it was back to the Claridge Homes Stage for some two-tone action courtesy of The Specials. They put on a fine set, though singer Terry Hall was looking a bit dyspeptic throughout, finally chucking his microphone off stage left. Technical difficulties, I guess.


The Specials at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2013

Everybody else seemed to be having a jolly time, though!


The Specials at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2013

They didn't play an encore, so it was Rush's turn to launch into their three-hour set. I just caught their first tune (and a few distant snaps) before going to get something to eat and seeing the end of The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer's set.


The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2013

Then it was off to see Rush, explosions, lengthy drum solo and all. Even if you're not a fan you have to admit their presentation is top notch.


Rush at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2013

Nonetheless, after about 90 minutes I'd had my yearly dose of Rush, and did a quick tour around the other stages for a bit of Mother Mother (too far away to bother taking photos, they had a huge crowd) and Baauer and RL Grime, whose light show certainly made an impression_ I think it may have burned an image or two onto my retinas ...


Baauer and RL Grime at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2013

My eyeeeees! Tuesday's an off-day for the festival, but on Wednesday I'm looking forward to Animal Collective and Weezer, with maybe some Solange in-between.