First up, Roberta Bondar, It was early in the day so the crowd was sort of small, but they did a great job, I gathered from several snatches of conversation I overheard later they sounded particularly fine while bicycling along the river.
Roberta Bondar at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
Alex frets!
Roberta Bondar at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
Then it was off to the Black Sheep Stage to ... well, not do much for 20 minutes or so waiting for The Wicked Mercy to come on. This was the first time I've seen the local blues-rocking combo.
The Wicked Mercy at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
They didn't quite hold me so I went off to see who this Richard Perso person was on the Claridge Homes Stage. He's an Australian one-man band who plays a didgeridoo, percussion and guitar while singing. And before you say that sounds quite a bit, if not entirely, like that other big Bluesfest Xavier Rudd, I'll just note that he does sound different - there's less of a world-music groove in his sound. He is however just as amiable and amusing a stage presence as Rudd. He plays again today inside at the Barney Danson Theatre.
Richard Perso at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
Next up, soon to be intergalacticly famous trio Half Moon Run. Devon Portielje hails from Ottawa, but the band formed in Montreal.
Half Moon Run at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
I saw a crazy number of people wearing their T-shirts post-show, but I thought their Sunday-morning sound wasn't quite suited for a giant stage.
Half Moon Run at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
I split pretty quickly to watch Mehdi Cayenne Club, who have a lot more oddball charm. You'll recognize Olivier from sundry other quirky area combos.
Mehdi Cayenne Club at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
Francis rounds out the trio on keys.
Mehdi Cayenne Club at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
It's been a heck of a long time since I last saw Capital Grass & The No-Men. They have the dubious honour of being the first band I ever photographed with a point-and-shoot.
Capital Grass & The No-Men at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
Accordion action with Darcy!
Capital Grass & The No-Men at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
Then it was over to the Claridge Homes Stage for a super set from Winnipeg's Imaginary Cities.
Imaginary Cities at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
My next stop was the River Stage for some traditional Newfoundland music courtesy of quintet The Dardanelles. The performance came complete with an explanation of the difference between jigs on the Rock and elsewhere.
The Dardanelles at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
The Black Sheep Stage was apparently having a "blues" day. The tipoff was the number of lawn chairs. Firebelly were making their first appearance at Bluesfest and doing a solid job of representing in the Chicago style.
I had no idea who Mykki Blanco was before catching his set on the Bell Stage. He was sporting a pair of boxing trunks and pink butterfly pasties, and he's a bit of a character. There's rap, performance art and a fair dose of identity politics mixed into his performance.
Mykki Blanco at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 12, 2013
From that eye-opener I journeyed back to the River Stage for a bite to eat and some of The Knocks' danceable stuff.
The Knocks at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
I was quite interested to see what Austra's stage show would look like in the bright light of day, having seen her accompanied by mystic hand-waving in December 2011 at Ritual. She pulled it off by morphing into a hipster child in giant sunglasses and coveralls.
Then over to see Death Grips put on a serious hardcore set of severe grimacing. Unfortunately, no Zach Hill.
Death Grips at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
I also went to see Phosphorescent, which was more in my line, but spent most of the set lying down in the shade as I was beginning to feel a bit groggy.
Phosphorescent at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
Before hitting up the main stage for Bjork I did a bit of a wander, including to check out Stars from a vast distance. They sounded pretty hot.
Stars at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 13, 2013
Even better was the Jon Cleary Trio, who had some dynamite funky soul in the New Orleans style.
Bjork wrapped things up in majestic style with a choir of dazzlingly bedecked ladies, a rather unnecessary Tesla coil. She ordered that no photos be taken, so you're spared the photographic evidence of her huge bouffant of red hair. Her glittery dress with an off the shoulder cape was quite impressive as well. As for the final day of Bluesfest, I am, as ever, most looking forward to Alejandro Escovedo.
