Ottawa Bluesfest 2013: Day 4

Despite its soundbleed problems, I'm starting to feel the loss of the riverside stage at Bluesfest. One less option for things to see does cut the variety down quite a bit. Perhaps that's why I didn't stay too long at Bluesfest on Sunday. The fact there were only two acts I wanted to see also played into it, and the persistent drizzle didn't help much either, since I was a dummy and left home with a raincoat.

The first band I saw was Hearts & Mines over at the River Stage, but only briefly.


Hearts & Mines at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 7, 2013

My real destination was The Joy Formidable on the Claridge Stage. I quite enjoyed the Welsh trio's two latest albums, The Big Roar and Wolf's Law, and they proved to be energetic stage performers as well. Apart from being incredibly loud, Rhiannon Bryan finished the show by jumping into the photographer's pit and handing her guitar over to the crowd, pulling it back on stage for some more feedback workout than tossing it back into the pit. Where she got the Red Sox hat from I don't know ....


The Joy Formidable at Ottawa Bluesfest 2013, July 7, 2013

Since their set was actually a bit on the short side, I toddled over to the Black Sheep Stage to catch Lily Frost's final song. She was looking very pink.


Lily Frost at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 7, 2013

Next stop, the main stage for a surprisingly early set from Wu-Tang Clan. They must have someplace else they have to be to hit the stage at 6. They played for a good hour or so after some warmup from the DJ and had the crowd well energized.


Wu-Tang Clan at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 7, 2013

I also dropped in on the Black Sheep Stage for some of Rocky Lawrence's set. The one-time Honey Boy Edwards sideman won the crowd over with some self-deprecating banter before launching into some country blues.

 
Rocky Lawrence at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 7, 2013

I'm looking forward to Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and The Specials on Monday.