After a strong opening night, Ottawa Bluesfest shifts gears tonight with one of the most eclectic and energetic lineups of the entire festival. From rap legends and nü-metal icons to hometown heroes and unexpected surprises, July 10 delivers a little bit of everything—and then turns the volume up. Tonight’s lineup features Limp Bizkit, Cypress Hill, Marc Rebillet, Steve Earle, My Son The Hurricane, and more across the LeBreton Flats grounds.
If you’re heading to Bluesfest tonight, here are the acts you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
🔥 Limp Bizkit: Tonight’s Main Event
Love them or hate them, Limp Bizkit remains one of the most explosive live acts in rock. Led by Fred Durst, the band helped define the late-’90s and early-2000s rock scene with hits like Break Stuff, My Way, Rollin’, and Nookie. They’re the official headliner for July 10 and are expected to close out the night on the main stage.
Bluesfest crowds have always embraced heavy, high-energy performances, and Limp Bizkit’s mix of nostalgia, chaos, and singalong anthems could produce one of the festival’s biggest crowd reactions of the year.
Why see them?
- Massive catalogue of recognizable hits
- A rare chance to see a band that defined an era
- Guaranteed festival-sized energy
Limp Bizkit closes out the night starting at 9:30pm on the RBC Stage.
🌿 Cypress Hill: Hip-Hop Royalty Before the Headliner
Before Limp Bizkit takes over, legendary hip-hop pioneers Cypress Hill hit the stage. The Los Angeles group made history with multi-platinum albums and classics such as Insane in the Brain and Hits From the Bong. They remain one of the most influential rap acts of their generation and continue to draw huge live audiences decades into their career.
The crossover appeal between Cypress Hill and Limp Bizkit fans makes this one of the night’s strongest back-to-back combinations.
Why see them?
- Hip-hop legends with timeless tracks
- Incredible festival atmosphere
- One of the few acts that can unite rock, rap, and alternative fans in one field
Cypress Hill takes to the RBC Stage at 7:30pm
🌪️ My Son The Hurricane: The Best Party at Bluesfest
If there is one act that could steal the night, it might be My Son The Hurricane.
The Ontario-based brass-fueled collective has built a reputation as one of Canada’s most entertaining live bands. Combining funk, ska, jazz, rock, and hip-hop into a giant musical party, their performances feel less like a concert and more like a full-scale celebration.
Expect horns, dancing, crowd participation, and enough energy to power the entire festival.
Why see them?
- One of Canada’s premier festival bands
- Perfect summer-night soundtrack
- The kind of performance people talk about long after the festival ends
For anyone looking to discover a new favourite live act, this is the recommendation I’d make first. My Son the Hurricane hits the Hard Rock Stage at 6:15pm
🎹 Marc Rebillet: The Wild Card
Every festival lineup needs an unpredictable element, and tonight that’s Marc Rebillet.
Known for creating improvised songs live using loops, keyboards, and outrageous audience interaction, Rebillet has become an internet sensation and festival favourite. No two shows are ever the same.
Why see him?
- Completely unique live experience
- Equal parts comedy, improvisation, and music
- You genuinely don’t know what’s going to happen
If you’re the person who likes telling friends, “You had to be there,” Marc Rebillet is your set. Rebillet takes to the Hard Rock Stage at 9:20pm
🎸 Steve Earle: A Master Songwriter
While many attendees will focus on the louder acts, don’t overlook Steve Earle. The acclaimed singer-songwriter brings decades of Americana, folk, country, and rock experience to Bluesfest tonight.
His set offers a welcome change of pace and a chance to see one of the most respected songwriters of the last 40 years.
Earle will be on the LeBreton Stage starting at 8:15pm.
🎭 A Surprise Worth Checking Out: Hank Azaria and The EZ Street Band
Yes, that Hank Azaria.
The Emmy-winning actor brings his tribute project, Hank Azaria and The EZ Street Band, celebrating the music of Bruce Springsteen. It’s one of the more unique bookings of the entire festival and could easily become one of the day’s most pleasant surprises.
Azaria can be found on the Hard Rock Stage starting at 7:45pm
Final Verdict
Night Two may not have the official “opening night” label, but it feels like the first truly blockbuster day of Ottawa Bluesfest 2026.
My must-see ranking for tonight:
- Limp Bizkit
- My Son The Hurricane
- Cypress Hill
- Marc Rebillet
- Steve Earle
- Hank Azaria and The EZ Street Band
Whether you’re chasing nostalgia, hip-hop legends, brass-powered chaos, or something completely unexpected, tonight offers one of the most diverse lineups Bluesfest has assembled this year. Get there early, wear comfortable shoes, and prepare for a night that could go from Insane in the Brain to Break Stuff in the span of a few hours.
See you at LeBreton Flats. 🎶🍁🎸
As always for full lineup details, and any last minute changes, be sure to visit www.ottawabluesfest.ca or download the official Ottawa Bluesfest app.
