Music

AUX does Ottawa Bluesfest: 5 must-see bands

by Mark Teo

July 9, 2013

The Ottawa Bluesfest, now entering its second week, has become one of the Canadian summer’s most beloved activities for a single reason: It’s a fest that, despite its namesake, has grown far beyond the blues.

The Ottawa Bluesfest, now entering its second week, has become one of the Canadian summer’s most beloved activities. And for good reason: It’s a fest that, despite its namesake, has grown far beyond the blues. No, we’re not exaggerating: Last year, for example, they had EDM megastar Skrillex headlining. This year, Jimmy Eat World, Belle and Sebastian, Fun., Tegan and Sara and Diamond Rings played its opening weekend.

See what we mean? Ottawa Bluesfest, even if they’re not strictly blues-based, has seriously courageous programmers—and last week was only the start. As we prepare for the back half of the festival, we’ve highlighted one off-the-wall for each remaining day of the festival. Check the full schedule here.

Wednesday, July 10: A Tribe Called Red

Forget that it’s mid-week—Wednesday night is downright stacked. Indie darlings Animal Collective share a stage with Weezer; Solange and Killer Mike open for Passion Pit; and Dan Deacon’s app-fueled live show promises to be complete insanity. But the real shocker might be the Polaris-long listed A Tribe Called Red, who combine Aboriginal-music samples with EDM and trap production. Best of all, they’re an act who’s not afraid to tackle race—check, for example, “Indians From All Directions,” on which they collaborate with NYC rap team Das Racist. Even better: They’re from Ottawa, so they’ll be playing in front of a hometown crowd.

Thursday, July 11: LP

Can-faves the Tragically Hip, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and charming Nova Scotian banjo troubadour Old Man Luedecke promise to be Thursday-night highlights, but were we betting on a holy-shit moment, it’d come at the hands of LP. Like Ke$ha, she’s a pop songwriter by trade—she has penned tracks for Rihanna and Christina Aguilera. But her music’s nothing like everyone’s favourite pee-drinker—LP uses her penchant for stick-in-your-head melodies on her expansive, guitar-driven tracks, but it’s her voice that really impresses. Assertive, and sometimes flat-out domineering, LP’s goosebump-inducing vocals carry each song, growing from a firm whisper to an arena-filling bellow. Don’t believe us? Listen to “Tokyo Sunrise.”

Friday, July 12: Tommy Trash

Continuing their grand tradition of top-shelf electronic acts, the Bluesfest’s Black Sheep stage—living up to its title—hosts two leading EDM acts in Dzeko & Torres and Tommy Trash. The latter, who closes the night, is a must-see—it’s all hands-up, effortlessly positive electro house. (Which is both more palatable and danceable than Skrillex’s abrasive brand of brostep.) If that’s not your jam, though, Can-celt faves Great Big Sea and fanpage fave Matthew Good play the mainstage.

Saturday, July 13: Mykki Blanco

Welp. Saturday’s lineup is nothing short of insanity: Gothy electronic faves Austra pair off with the right-wing-baiting Stars on the Claridge Stage; John Cleary Trio and Mississippi Heat provide the blues backbone to the day; and pelvic provocateurs Death Grips open for effin’ Bjork. But the best of the bunch may be poet / model / artist Mykki Blanco, who just cut a heatseeking track with ambient-rap producers Friendzone, set for release via the Adult Swim Singles Series. Indeed, Blanco’s cross-dressing tendencies might’ve earned the NYC-based rapper the spotlight, but it’s his music that’s keeping him there.