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.

Bluesfest: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Here's Exhibit A in "not everyone's musical tastes are the same." Grace Potter & The Nocturnals got a bunch of raves all round. I watched them for a while, thought they were pretty entertaining, then wandered off. I suspect I'm becoming jaded ...

Ms. Potter, herself.



She's certainly an emotive singer.



And here are some Nocturnals, including drummer Matt Burr and guitarists Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco (I think left and right ... hard to tell under the hair).



Extra Yurco!



Headbanging black and white action!



Extra Grace!



More guitar!



Tambourine action!



And a bit more Scott.



I'll try to get a snap of bassist Michael Linbramento next time they come through town ... I suspect they'll be getting another invite to Bluesfest soon.

• Show reminder: There's more doooom to go around at Cafe DeKcuf with Witch Mountain, Castle, Muffler Crunch, Monobrow and Thought Project at Cafe Dekcuf; downstairs Nero has their own All Hallow's shindig. the Funboy massive is also holding a Halloween House at their pad with Boyhood as musical guest; Zaphod's has Paper Lions, Danielle Duval and Ashleys on tap; Silkenn Laumann has their party on at Mugshots; you'll find GOOD2GO and The Bible All-Stars holding down the fort at Irene's. Tra Holloway, Little Read Deer and Adam III perform at Raw Sugar. The Hammerheads are at the Rainbow. The Elmdale hosts The Jimmyriggers , Phantom Shores and The Backyard Devils.

Ottawa Bluesfest 2012, Day 1

Well Bluesfest is in town again, and it's never been less bluesy!. In fact I discovered that the Blues Society isn't even at the festival this year. The time, it passes ... My favourite part of the Buesfest was always the world music acts, but it seems they weren't a draw. Instead we get DJs. Not that I didn't enjoy Day 1 of this year's Bluesfest, though. First, those RFID bracelets do make getting in and out a snap. I arrived around showtime yesterday, and there were zero lines to speak of. Mind you, that might have had more to do with the lineup.

My first stop was the Electro Stage which, contrary to the map, is now located where the Black Sheep Stage once was - the Blacksheep is now where the Hard Rock Stage used to be. I've heard many food things about Hull combo Fet. Nat, and now drummer Olivier Fairfield from various other area combos of an experimental/art-rocking nature such as J'envoie. They made me think of a francophone Pere Ubu.


Fet. Nat. at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 4, 2012

After a bit I went off to see a very intense performance by Loon Choir, a seven-member local band which blends some tough sounding guitars with keyboards and violin for some heavy duty strong art-rock. They released their sophomore LP, Fire Poems, earlier this year and I definitely expect to hear more from them.


Loon Choir at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 4, 2012 

Now, the real reason I was keen to head off to Bluesfest yesterday was to finally get an opportunity to see the legendary Melvins perform. They did not disappoint. They are billing themselves as Melvins Lite, but this is obviously a relative term. With Trevor Dunn of Mr. Bungle on double bass they're more than heavy enough to satisfy their fans. They also dressed up for the occasion.


The Melvins at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 4, 2012

After that was done, I headed over the hill  to see a bit of Akron/Family. Myles Seaton was in full-on testify mood when I passed by and snapped a few photos.


Akron/Family at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 4, 2012

My real destination was the River Stage, to see another 1990s musical crush, Fishbone. In a more just musical world, these guys would be headlining the main stage. However, they've had their ups and downs, so I'm just glad to see they seem to have returned at full force, judging from their super-funky performance.


Fishbone at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 4, 2012

I also went to see a bit of Grace Potter & The Nocturnals rocking out. Pretty good, with a bit of a southern vibe.


Grace Potter & The Nocturnals at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 4, 2012

For the last show of the night I went to see Billy Bragg, and to hear Billy Bragg and Tiesto. Bragg was not pleased at the disco beats coming over the hill, though from up front they weren't any competition for his guitar. He engaged in some chit chat about the dangers of cynicism, the dangers of Twitter and sported a red square in support of the striking students in Quebec.


Billy Bragg at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 4, 2012

A good time, and the weather couldn't be nicer.

• Show reminder: Hmm, should I stick around at Bluesfest tonight to see LMFAO, or go to Babylon to see White Lung, Critical Convictions and Pregnancy Scares? Sal Piamonte performs at Zaphod's; Ari Abrams and Brett MacLean play the Elmdale.