Music

Ottawa Bluesfest announces "electro-fied" 2012 lineup

by Tyler Munro

The Ottawa Bluesfest has re-branded itself after last year’s tragic stage collapse with a new sponsor (the event is officially known as the RBC Royal Back Bluesfest now) and a new theme, giving this year’s festivities an “electro-fied” subheading. And with last night’s announcement of the first wave of artists set to appear this summer in our nation’s capital, the theme holds true.

Scheduled to happen in Ottawa from July 4th until the 15th, the early list of performers includes everyone from The Melvins to Billy Bragg, but its performers like Skrillex, Tiësto, MSTRKRFT, Paul Oakenfold and more adding credence to the continent’s second largest blues festival’s new direction.

We’re still waiting for the full line-up to be revealed, but other early artists confirmed for the bill include Lauryn Hill, Iron Maiden, Deltron 3030, Seal, Our Lady Peace, Snoop Dogg (but not 2Pac) and more. It’s a pretty interesting blend to say the least. Head to the official Bluesfest website to browse what’s been announced so far; you’ll have to go day by day, so it’s a bit of a chore, but there’s already too much there for us to list the entire roster. We’ll let you in on a secret, though: LMFAO and Nickelback are both headliners.