RBC Bluesfest 2025 wrapped up Sunday night time after ten days of genre-hopping, weather-dodging and crowd-surfing throughout Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats.
Identified for its mix of worldwide headliners and Canadian expertise, RBC Bluesfest once more delivered a wide-ranging lineup that provided slightly one thing for everybody from traditional punk rockers, laid-back balladeers, and blues masters, all in opposition to a backdrop of nationwide satisfaction and worldwide aptitude.
Opening night time on July 10 set the tone with Montreal’s Garnetta Cromwell and Da Groovmasters warming up the group with soulful, horn-driven funk on the LeBreton Stage.
Later that night, Australia’s Melbourne Ska Orchestra blew the roof off the River Stage with their brass-filled theatrics.
Whereas fellow Aussies, the Cat Empire, introduced a high-energy fusion of funk, ska.
Latin rhythms. Father John Misty closed the night time with a moody, cinematic set that balanced irony and vulnerability, drawing one of many largest early-week crowds.
Friday’s lineup stored issues eclectic. The Lifeless South introduced their Prairie gothic folks to the RBC Stage.
Canadian folks icon Sarah Harmer delivered an intimate set that reminded audiences of her present for mixing environmental storytelling with tender songwriting.
Amigo the Satan, one other standout on the River Stage, pushed the boundaries of folks even additional, mixing darkish themes with emotional vulnerability.
The night time ended with Hozier, who returned to Ottawa with a commanding, soulful efficiency highlighted by fan favourites “Take Me to Church” and “Nearly (Candy Music).”
Saturday bridged the generations of rock with some of the electrical nights of the pageant by providing a mixture of uncooked power and nostalgic aptitude. Various legends, Pixies, opened with a no-nonsense run-through of classics like “Right here Comes Your Man” and “Debaser.”
American hardcore band Turnstile whipped the RBC Stage crowd right into a frenzy with their brief, explosive headlining set.
Canadian expertise remained entrance and centre all through the weekend. On Sunday, Leverage for Mountains, a rising indie-folk band from Gatineau, impressed with tight harmonies and anthemic melodies.
Newfoundland’s Alan Doyle introduced down-home East Coast attraction and Celtic-influenced rock to the RBC Stage.
Afterward, Shania Twain made a triumphant return to headline the RBC Stage and delivered a hit-filled headlining set full with sing-alongs and plain charisma.
Earlier within the day, Texas bluesman Darrell Nulisch provided a smoother counterpoint along with his soulful mix of harmonica-led blues.
Midweek introduced huge names and large noise. Tom Morello, identified for his work with Rage In opposition to the Machine and Audioslave, placed on a fiery, politically charged efficiency that turned his guitar solos into rallying cries.
British rock legends Def Leppard, introduced their stadium-ready sound to the outside pageant setting. Their set drew some of the multi-generational crowds of the week.
Friday belonged to the punk rockers. Inexperienced Day’s high-octane headlining set was crammed with hits, fireworks, and frontman Billie Joe Armstrong’s ordinary crowd incitement.
Earlier, The Linda Lindas — the younger punk outfit from Los Angeles — proved they have been greater than viral darlings with a quick, tight set that felt like a passing of the torch.
Saturday introduced wealthy variety between Bluesfest’s levels. From the Lebreton stage (and later the Barney Danson Theatre), oddball blues rocker Bob Log III carried out a one-man set wearing a motorbike helmet fitted with a phone receiver.
Brooklyn indie mainstays, Lucius, added some polish to the day with their harmony-rich artwork pop.
Daughtry and Papa Roach headlined the RBC Stage with a wholesome dose of early-2000s alt-rock nostalgia.
The pageant closed Sunday with a highlight on a few of Canada’s most forward-thinking acts. BADBADNOTGOOD’s jazzy instrumental grooves have been a crowd favorite, mixing hip hop and funk with improvisational cool.
Tim Baker, previously of Hey Rosetta!, delivered a heartfelt, melodic set on the River Stage.
Kaytranada closed the pageant with a high-energy DJ set that seamlessly mixed home, R&B, and Afrobeat rhythms, capping off the week with a correct dance occasion underneath the celebrities.
Ottawa live performance goers now sit up for September, and the arrival of CityFolk; which guarantees an exhilarating weekend with headliners Morrissey, Indigo Ladies with Melissa Ethridge, and one other legendary punk rock pairing with the Pogues and Dropkick Murphy’s!