The night started a little on the wet side. Heavy rain that had rolled through earlier in the day had thankfully eased by showtime, although moderate showers lingered through the first part of the evening. Overall, luck was on our side as the worst of the weather pushed south, sparing Ottawa Bluesfest from nature’s full wrath.
After what felt like a delayed opening to the grounds, we made our way to the LeBreton Stage just in time for our friend Justin Fancy, who had the honour of kicking off the 2026 edition of Ottawa Bluesfest.
Justin Fancy Opens the Festival in Style
Fortunately for early arrivals, Fancy’s performance took place under the massive LeBreton tent, allowing fans to stay dry while enjoying the show.
Fancy treated the crowd to a mix of originals and covers, including songs from his latest release, I’ve Got a Keg, alongside Make Me Wanna, the single that earned him Rogers Radio’s “One to Watch” designation back in 2021. He also threw in a spirited cover of Brooks & Dunn’s Brand New Man.
It was encouraging to see an independent country artist from Canada’s East Coast earn a spot on one of the festival’s biggest stages. Having followed Justin’s career for several years, it’s been rewarding to watch him steadily build momentum. Seeing him perform at Ottawa Bluesfest felt like another important milestone—and hopefully not his last appearance in the capital.
I think it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing him back in Ottawa again. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
Jade Hinton Continues Her Rise
As is often the case at Bluesfest, the schedule was packed, requiring some difficult choices throughout the evening. Following Fancy’s set, I headed to the RBC Stage where Ontario’s Jade Hinton was wrapping up her performance.
One of the challenges of a multi-stage festival is that you rarely get the opportunity to experience every artist’s full set. Still, what I managed to catch from Hinton was enough to leave an impression.
Despite being early in her career, she already appears to have built a loyal following beyond her hometown of Toronto. Comfortable in front of a large audience, she fed off the crowd’s energy and delivered a confident performance backed by an excellent band. Special mention goes to her fiddle player, whose enthusiasm added another layer of excitement to the show.
Hinton’s journey to music is unconventional, having transitioned from a career as a Division I collegiate tennis player. Based on what I witnessed, she seems to have found exactly where she belongs. She closed her set with her latest single, Dive Bar, and like Justin Fancy, appears destined for bigger stages in the near future.
Satellite Birdhouse Delivers Local Magic
My next stop was the Barney Danson Theatre to catch Satellite Birdhouse, the Ottawa-based duo of Stacy DuBois and Troy Huizinga. Ever since seeing them open for the Skydiggers last spring, they’ve become a local favourite of mine.
Joined by a talented backing band—including our friend Andrew Ferderber on drums—Satellite Birdhouse filled the room with their infectious positivity and upbeat energy. Standout moments included Troy’s deeply personal song about his late brother, a performance that was both heavy and inspiring, as well as my perennial favourite, My Favourite Things.
Their warmth and authenticity make every show feel special, and it’s impossible to leave without a smile. For local music fans looking to support an outstanding emerging act, the duo recently released their debut album, available now through their website.
Jessie Murph Steals the Spotlight
From there, it was back to the RBC Stage for one of the night’s biggest surprises: Jessie Murph.
Knowing very little about Murph beforehand, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Within moments, however, she had my full attention with a powerhouse rendition of House of the Rising Sun.
At just 21 years old, Murph already possesses remarkable stage presence. Some have labelled her a country artist, but after seeing her live, it’s clear that “genre-bending” might be the most accurate description available.
Throughout her set, I heard hints of Amy Winehouse in her vocal delivery and even traces of Canada’s own Tenille Townes. Murph used every inch of the massive RBC Stage, dancing and spinning with the carefree enthusiasm of someone genuinely thrilled to be performing.
What really stood out was her ability to connect with the audience. Even through the cameras and video screens, she created an intimate feeling that’s difficult to describe. More than once, it felt as though she was making direct eye contact with every individual in attendance.
Even the lingering drizzle couldn’t dampen the atmosphere. By the time her set ended, it was clear that she had delivered one of the standout performances of the night.
Hopefully, a full Ottawa tour stop isn’t too far away.
A Quick Stop with Digable Planets
I briefly stepped away to check out Digable Planets on the Hard Rock Stage. Performing behind the Canadian War Museum, they drew a respectable crowd and delivered a high-energy blend of hip-hop, rap, and jazz.
While the performance was engaging and energetic, it ultimately wasn’t enough to pull me away from Murph for long, and I soon returned to catch the conclusion of her set.
GOAT Lives Up to the Hype
The next act on my schedule was perhaps the artist I had been most curious about since the lineup was announced: GOAT.
The Swedish collective is extraordinarily difficult to describe. Their show was loud, theatrical, energetic, and completely unlike anything else at the festival. The elaborate costumes, relentless energy, and sheer unpredictability made for one of the most fascinating performances of the evening.
In many ways, the LeBreton Stage tent almost felt too small to contain them. Word had clearly spread throughout the festival grounds, as curious attendees poured into the venue to see what all the buzz was about.
The best comparison I can offer is some sort of wildly imaginative collision between Orville Peck and Angine de Poitrine, only heavier, stranger, and somehow even more energetic.
Whatever category GOAT belongs in, I know one thing: the next time they’re within driving distance, I’ll be there. Their set was one of those rare performances that leaves you constantly wondering what could possibly happen next.
Alongside Jessie Murph, GOAT delivered one of the most memorable performances of Day 1.
Cody Johnson Brings Traditional Country Home
The evening closed with country music superstar Cody Johnson, who delivered a masterclass in traditional country music.
As I mentioned in my recent review of Bailey Zimmerman, I’ve felt somewhat disconnected from mainstream country music in recent years. Much of the genre’s shift toward pop-country and country-rap styles left me longing for the sound that first drew me into country music two decades ago.
Johnson’s performance was a welcome reminder that artists still exist who embrace those roots.
Opening with That’s Texas, Johnson immediately established the tone for the next 90 minutes. This was working-man’s country music—songs about real life, real people, and experiences many of us can relate to.
The setlist featured fan favourites including Dear Rodeo, I’m Gonna Love You (with Carrie Underwood appearing via the giant video screens), Dance Her Home, Dirt Cheap, The Fall, and of course Till You Can’t.
At one point, Johnson joked that his band had flown in from Texas that morning and spent the day praying that the weather would cooperate. He quickly added that they would have played regardless. Thankfully, by showtime the skies had cleared and stars had emerged over LeBreton Flats.
A Message That Resonated
The most memorable moment of the set came midway through the show when Johnson addressed the crowd.
“What if tomorrow morning we all wake up and we just treat every human being that we encounter that’s different than us just like a human being? Wouldn’t that do something for this country and the world?”
It’s a message that regularly appears during Johnson’s shows, leading into the song Human, but given the current state of world affairs and the complexities in the Canada-U.S. relationship, it carried extra weight on this particular night.
It was a simple reminder that beneath our political views, backgrounds, and beliefs, we’re all united by the same basic human experiences.
After a brief break, Johnson returned for a two-song encore, delivering a powerful rendition of Travelin’ Soldier before closing the evening with Diamond in My Pocket.
Fireworks Provide a Surprise Ending
Just when many fans thought the evening was over, Ottawa Bluesfest had one more surprise in store.
Immediately after Cody Johnson’s set concluded, a massive fireworks display erupted over the Ottawa River. The show caught many attendees off guard, as large-scale fireworks displays are not typically part of the Bluesfest experience.
As it turns out, the fireworks were a last-minute addition. A number of fireworks originally intended for Canada Day celebrations went unused after the severe weather that swept through Eastern Ontario last week. Rather than attempt to store or dispose of the remaining inventory, organizers made the decision to set them off as part of the festival’s opening night festivities.
For those of us on the festival grounds, it was a spectacular and completely unexpected finale. As colourful explosions lit up the sky over LeBreton Flats, thousands of festival-goers stopped in their tracks to soak in one last memorable moment before heading home.
Unfortunately, the surprise display didn’t sit well with everyone. Some area residents expressed frustration after being startled awake by explosions after 11 p.m. on a Thursday night. While it’s disappointing to see what was intended as a celebratory moment become a point of controversy, it’s also understandable that an unexpected fireworks show late in the evening could catch people off guard and cause concern.
From my perspective, once the initial surprise wears off, it’s worth remembering the context. This was the opening night of one of Canada’s largest and most prestigious music festivals, coming at the end of a challenging week of weather for the region. The fireworks felt less like an inconvenience and more like a celebratory exclamation mark on an already successful opening night.
Whether you loved them or hated them, the fireworks accomplished one thing: they gave Bluesfest’s opening night a finale that people were still talking about the next morning. And in a festival that’s all about creating memorable moments, that’s probably not the worst thing in the world.
Final Thoughts
Despite the threatening weather, Day 1 of Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 proved to be an outstanding start to the festival.
Emerging talents like Justin Fancy, Jade Hinton, and Satellite Birdhouse showcased why they deserve to be on fans’ radar, while Jessie Murph and GOAT delivered two of the night’s most talked-about performances.
Cody Johnson provided a powerful and heartfelt finale, reminding everyone why traditional country music continues to resonate so deeply with audiences.
Add in an unexpected fireworks display to close the night and Day 1 had everything you could ask for: great music, memorable moments, a few surprises, and a crowd determined not to let a little rain spoil the fun.
If opening night is any indication, Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 is shaping up to be something special. Day 2 is mere hours away, checkout our look ahead!
