Ottawa Bluesfest Welcomes the World

Bluesfest celebrates 22 years of music legends in Ottawa, drawing fans from across the province, the country and the US. From July 7 to July 17 all genres of music find one common ground…by the water.

Clarence Clemons took the stage in 1994 and helped kick off what would become Canada’s fastest growing outdoor music festival. Five thousand people descended on Majors Hill Park that first year, with over 300,000 expected to attend this year at the LeBreton Flats in the beautiful capital city. And the acts have gotten bigger too with Red Hot Chili Peppers, celebrating their 33 year band anniversary, headlining the festival on Friday July 15th.

LeBreton Flats in the beautiful capital city

Starting the event on July 7^th is Billy Idol, another veteran and crowd pleaser and shows the diversity of the artists performing over the two weekend period at one of the four stages. And if Billy Idol and Duran Duran aren’t on your playlist there’s plenty more. Feel like kicking up your heels and learning a 2-step? Country takes the stage with Brad Paisley and Sam Hunt. Canada’s Zeds Dead, Cashmere Cat and Madeon take the stage to make sure the beat drops and you can dance the night away to a more electric beat. Hip-hop fans will have Future and Schoolboy Q, whose album drops July 8^th, and heavy hitter Nelly who takes the stage the 16^th. If all this seems too much for you, you can slow things down and chill with Dallas Green (City in Colour) and the Lumineers, though I’ve never seen people sitting still at either concert.

Check out the full lineup here

It’s all about the fans

The last two years have also seen a Bluesfest fashion line with this year’s theme “Take me to a place I love”. Designed by Stacey Bafi-Yeboa, owner of KANIA – Luxury Canadian Sweatshirts, the line will be available for sale on sight. Fashionestas and music fans alike will have a unique take home souvenir from the event.

Bluesfest fashion line “Take me to a place I love” designed by Stacey Bafi-Yeboawith

Travel to Ottawa should be on anyone’s radar so Bluesfest is a perfect excuse to go for a 4/5 day weekend getaway. With many ticket options from signal day passes for $51 to 3 days at $120 to full event passes for $230. It allows you to customize your Ottawa escape. And with ViaRail having $70 return ticket sales, Porter and Air Canada flying you for $400 return or piling a bunch of friends in your family minivan, there’s no excuse not to make Ottawa a destination for some music and sights.

The summer is full of music festivals to explore outside the city limits and Ottawa Bluesfest is one that needs to be on your radar. Join TheSceneInTO on site for give-aways and some good old fashion fun and dancing. Check back for additional coverage of this year’s Ottawa Bluesfest.

Bluesfest takes over Ottawa July 7 to July 17