The final weekend of the 20th Anniversary party for RBC Royal Bank Ottawa Bluesfest has arrived. Rather than do a day by day preview we figured it would be easier to preview the remaining two days in one post.
The action starts around noon both days with the main headline acts kicking things off around 5pm each day.
Saturday July 12 picks:
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
Although Bob Saget sounded intriguing we’d be more inclined to checkout the music of Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, this award winning group has been entertaining blues fans since 1978, in other words since I was 4 years old. And seeing as we’ve missed out on seeing a bona fide blues act so far at Bluesfest this year we can’t go wrong, and neither can you. Sugar Ray and the Bluetones can be heard on the Black Sheep Stage at 5pm.
AWOLNATION
Awolnation
The next act on my list to see for Saturday is AWOLNATION. Aaron Bruno and company appeared on my radar a few years ago when an online radio station I was listening to in my car, on one of my many long commutes to and from work, featured their then single “Sail”. The song quickly became one of my favourites and I started to follow the band and get to know some of their other music. Although I have never seen them live I hope to change that tonight and you should go check them out too! Catch AWOLNATION on the Bell Stage tonight at 7pm.
The Mavericks
The Mavericks – In Time Album Cover
Following AWOLNATION tonight are neotraditional country band The Mavericks who reunited last year after a 10 year absence. Between 1991 and 2003, they recorded six studio albums, in addition to charting 14 singles on the Billboard country charts. The group is currently on tour promoting their reunion album In Time which was released last February. The Mavericks take to the River Stage at 9pm.
Dr. Hook ft. Ray Sawyer
Dr. Hook
Our headline pick for Saturday is a group that needs little introduction and is a group that should not be missed. I first had the opportunity to see Dr. Hook live many years ago at the Mattawa Voyageur Days music festival and I’ve been itching for the opportunity to see them again ever since. Lead by the spirited eye-patched Ray Sawyer the group is best known for hits “Cover of the Rolling Stone”, “Sylvia’s Mother”, “Walk Right In” and “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman” to name just a few. If you want a real treat then do yourself a favour and head to the Black Sheep Stage at 9:30pm for Dr. Hook featuring Ray Sawyer…you can thank me later!
Sunday July 13 picks:
If mentioned before that Monday July 14 is my big 40th birthday. I’m going to bring the party to Ottawa Bluesfest on Sunday and invite anyone that wants to come down to join me.
Said the Whale
Said the Whale
This Vancouver based group celebrates it’s 7th anniversary this year. In 2012 this group was listed by Rockstar Weekly in their top 12 rockstars to watch in 2012 amongst other stars like Van Halen, The Rolling Stones and Rush. The group won the JUNO in 2011 for new group of the year and is currently touring in support of their newest album hawaii. Said the Whale kicks off my 40th birthday celebrations on the Bell Stage at 5pm.
MOIST
Moist
The next group on my must see list takes me back to my college years. Fronted by David Usher who went on to a moderately successful solo career after the band took a break in 2001. Moist returned in 2013 their new single “Mechanical” was released in late May and a new album is expected sometime in 2014. Moist hits the Bell Stage at 7pm Sunday evening!
Sam Roberts Band
Sam Roberts Band
Why is it that SRB always ends up playing on the Claridge Homes Stage immediately ahead of a band I want to see at the Bell Stage? It’s happened again with Sam Roberts Band taking to the Claridge Homes Stage at 8pm. It’s ok though because a few years ago I was on the promotional team for a Sam Roberts show and got to spend some time with Sam and the band. At least I know I’ll hear his set from my place in front of the Bell Stage. SRB are currently touring to promote their latest album Lo-Fantasy which was released earlier this year.
Collective Soul
Collective Soul
Capping off the weekend and the 20th Anniversary celebrations for RBC Royal Bank Ottawa Bluesfest are Collective Soul. I have been a fan of Collective Soul fan since they originated in the early 90′s but somehow have managed to miss them on the tour circuit so they have a place on my bucket list. I look forward to scratching them off of that list on Sunday night! The group is currently touring to celebrate their 20th Anniversary and their 9th studio album See What You Started By Continuing is expected later this summer. Catch Collective Soul Sunday night at 9:15 on the Bell Stage!
That’s a wrap for this year’s Ottawa Bluesfest, hopefully next year we’ll be able to get out to more of the shows. We’d like to formally thank Ottawa Bluesfest for having us out again this year we hope to return again next year for year 21! Naturally for a full list of all of the acts that remain for this weekend visit www.ottawabluesfest.ca
