Last night a few thousand dancers came dancing to Lebreton Flats, RBC Bluesfest had been away for so long, so long, but it was a nice day to start again!
Honestly the most wonderful time of year in Ottawa is when we get to set foot on the grounds of Lebreton Flats and see them filled with happy people dancing and singing along to the music coming from one of the numerous stages that fill the venue...it just doesn't get much better than that.
For me it was also a kick off to my second year as a member of the Green Team and our second year with Sean Sisk at the other end of the photographic lens. The weather, like the music, was hot but the crowd that came out for headliners Joe Jackson, Schoolboy Q and Billy Idol didn't seem to mind.
I found that the overall experience at Bluesfest keeps getting better year after year, the process to get my accreditation was really easy and fast, same goes for the volunteer check in process. Last year I recall standing in line outside for an hour and this year there was no line at all.
Still struggle with the annual photo restrictions when it comes to some of the key headliners but that's more of a label / publicist issue than a Bluesfest issue. (we weren't permitted to shoot Billy Idol last night)
My only key picks for day 2 are Coeur de Pirate (7pm City Stage), The Tallest Man on Earth (9pm Monster Energy Stage) and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (9:30pm City Stage). Yes I know that Tallest Man and Noel Gallagher share the same set times so I suggest trying to take in both shows (yes it's possible)!
For a full schedule of the day's events be sure to visit www.ottawabluesfest.ca or better yet download the app so that you have it with you all night long. There's a chance of rain in the forecast for tonight so be sure to come prepared because the show goes on rain or shine!
So without further ado here are some more of Sean's shots from Day 1 of RBC Bluesfest!
Field Service Tech by day, Live Music Nut by night! My family and I call the Thousand Islands region of Ontario home. I'm a blogger, social media geek, tech, and live music fanatic. I founded Sound Check Entertainment in 2010 to help promote festivals and emerging artists from across Canada and the world! I now act as festivals liaison, manage media relations and, of course, cover events in the National Capital region. I'm also a diehard Habs fan but Sens fans fear not; as long as they aren't playing against my Habs I cheer just as loud for the Sens.
