On the third day, Ottawa Bluesfest hosted a memorable mix of local talent and alt‑rock heavyweights. The night’s highlight came when Turnstile took the main stage. Their energy was explosive—like a young Rage Against the Machine mixed with a little Linkin Park to our ears, pure adrenaline.
The lead singer, Brendan Yates, bounced around wildly in the sweltering heat—long‑sleeve sweater and all—yet never lost a beat. Moshing made its return to Bluesfest, though ironically crowd numbers had thinned after the Pixies set, making the pit feel contained yet intense.
At almost the same time on the River stage, indie darlings Men I Trust from Montreal delivered their signature smooth, dreamy set—chill, cool vibes perfect for lounging—but honestly felt a touch too mellow for a festival crowd. Their fans appreciated it, but others drifted away before their set was over.
The Pixies, with Black Francis commanding the stage, drew the largest crowd of the evening. As an iconic alt‑rock outfit, they brought raw nostalgia and sculpted tracks that kept the audience glued to the stage—many in the crowd were visibly disappointed when they wrapped up and didn’t play their hit Gigantic, but most were thrilled to see them live nonetheless.
Also on our radar: The Budos Band, a Staten Island–based instrumental powerhouse formed in 2005. Their retro‑funk performance complete with soul undercurrent turned their set into a groovy ride. Local artist Melissa Ouimet, from St. Albert, Ontario, charmed a mixed francophone and anglophone crowd at the River stage with bilingual appeal and polished stage presence, look and of course vocals.
All in all, it was a night of contrasts—laid‑back meets furious energy, icons meet rising royalty—and one that showcased why Bluesfest still matters.
