There’s something about the end of summer in Ottawa that just feels right at CityFolk. The chill vibe, eclectic lineup and last few warm evenings before fall make it one of our favorite festivals.
But this year, there was a little more uncertainty as we arrived for Night One. With renovations at TD Place forcing the festival to move from Lansdowne to the RA Centre lawn, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. There are definitely some growing pains. Parking proved to be a bit confusing, and for some—including yours truly—it meant a longer-than-expected walk to the festival grounds. Others who live nearby or had done their homework seemed to have no complaints. Once inside, though, it started to feel like CityFolk again.
The TD Stage has plenty of room for the big crowds, and the Westside Stage was a pleasant surprise. With bleachers at the back perfect for watching the earlier acts in the setting sun, plus plenty of standing room, it felt like a significant upgrade from last year’s cozy-but-cramped tent. Food vendors were scattered throughout the grounds, entry lines moved reasonably well, and the overall mood was exactly what we’ve come to love about CityFolk: relaxed, friendly and happy to be there.
The first act of the festival, Emily Jean Flack, was the perfect prelude to the fiddling, toe-tapping and step dancing still to come, blending modern Celtic music with beautiful vocals.
Ottawa’s Blakdenim, no stranger to city stages, then stepped in on the TD Stage after Marcus King withdrew from the festival, bringing hip-hop, soul, funk and rock—and some serious dance moves. The crowd was on its feet. Way to fill in!
Over on the Westside Stage, Nicolas Pellerin & Les Grands Hurleurs charmed the crowd with traditional Québec folk, fiddles and plenty of personality. Their humor was matched by their musicianship, and I suspect they made plenty of new fans joking that it’s ok if the crowd doesn’t understand their English, neither to they.
Straight from Melbourne, Australia, Steph Strings followed with contemporary folk and roots, and her incredible fingerstyle guitar playing made it immediately obvious where the name comes from. Unpretentious, talented and effortlessly engaging.
Then came my homeboy Ashley MacIsaac, bringing that unmistakable East Coast sound and gift of the gab. From joking about being a Cape Breton snowbird in Windsor to bringing young stepdancers onstage, he had the crowd completely hooked and spilling out of the Westside stage.
Finally, Alabama Shakes closed the night with an electrifying set led by the powerhouse that is Brittany Howard. In a sparkling white dress, Howard commanded the stage with vocals that were powerful, emotional and mesmerizing. Her message that there are still good people doing good things, despite the current state of her country, felt particularly uplifting.
A few darker spots around the grounds—particularly between the stages—could use some additional lighting, but overall, CityFolk has landed pretty comfortably in its new home.
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We’ll be back tonight. Stella Lefty and, of course, the back-flipping Cameron Whitcomb are already high on our list.
