It’s hard to believe that Ottawa Bluesfest is done for another year. Every year it seems like it takes forever to arrive, and then, once it’s here, it’s over in the blink of an eye.
When this year’s lineup was first announced, there wasn’t much that immediately jumped off the page for me. Now that the festival has wrapped, however, I once again have to tip my hat to Mark Monahan and the entire Bluesfest team. They’ve mastered the art of building a lineup that offers something for everyone, bringing together a diverse mix of artists, genres, and generations of music fans under one banner.
The last two weeks weren’t without their challenges. Just days after the festival kicked off, Sound Check Entertainment found itself dealing with an unexpected hack of our website. Thankfully, thanks to the quick response and hard work of our development team, the site was secured and restored in time for the second half of the festival, allowing us to continue bringing our coverage to readers.
I had hoped to make it to LeBreton Flats early enough on Sunday to take in Ottawa’s 200th anniversary celebrations, but by the time Saturday night’s review and Sunday’s preview were written and published, there simply wasn’t enough time left in the day.
My evening began at the LeBreton Stage with an old favourite, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar. Watching Samantha and her band perform is always a treat. Their shows are packed with energy, soul, and a contagious sense of fun that turns every appearance into a celebration. It’s impossible not to get caught up in the party atmosphere they create.
Before Samantha took the stage, Bluesfest host Joe Reilly delivered an important reminder to the crowd: support the artists. Streaming music may be convenient, but the financial return for performers is minimal compared to what they receive from merchandise and physical music sales. Whether it’s a t-shirt, vinyl record, CD, or poster, those purchases make a meaningful difference and help artists continue doing what they love.
Next up were The Sheepdogs, making my first experience seeing them perform live. While I’m not overly familiar with their catalogue, they delivered a strong, high-energy set to an ever-growing crowd. Their blend of classic rock influences and modern Canadian songwriting made them a perfect fit for a night celebrating Canadian music.
Between The Sheepdogs and the evening’s headliners, the crowd was treated to a spectacular drone show over Wellington Street. Surprisingly, it was my first time seeing a drone show in person. There’s no denying how impressive the technology is and the creative possibilities it offers. That said—and this may be an unpopular opinion—I’m still a fireworks guy. Drone shows are fascinating to watch, but there’s something about the larger-than-life spectacle of fireworks that simply can’t be replicated. In fact, had my wife not pointed out the drones, I probably would have missed the show entirely.
The night culminated with The Guess Who, featuring the reunited pairing of Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman. Neither performer is as young as they once were, but that certainly didn’t stop them from delivering a memorable, nostalgia-filled performance.
Backed by a full band, the legendary Canadian rockers worked their way through a set packed with classic hits from The Guess Who catalogue, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and Cummings’ solo career. At 52, I watched these musicians—now in their late 70s and early 80s—command the stage with an energy many performers half their age would envy. If I have even half that energy in 30 years, I’ll consider myself fortunate.
The setlist itself was almost beside the point. They played the songs the crowd came to hear, and the response was exactly what you’d expect. The venue was packed, fans sang along to every chorus, and there was a genuine sense of appreciation for the opportunity to witness one of Canada’s most iconic rock acts sharing a stage once again. Given the history and well-documented disagreements that sent Bachman and Cummings down separate paths decades ago, seeing them reunited under The Guess Who banner felt particularly special.
At one point during the evening, Cummings reflected on his travels around the world and declared that rock and roll is here to stay. After two weeks of massive crowds, unforgettable performances, and music spanning every imaginable genre, I’d take that sentiment one step further: music itself is here to stay. In a world that often feels increasingly divided, live music remains one of the few things capable of bringing people together, regardless of age, background, or beliefs.
Quick shoutout to my friends River City Junction, didn’t’ make it over to the set in the theatre but always nice to see friends from down in the Seaway Valley back on the Ottawa Bluesfest lineup! If you’ve never seen Jason and Caroline and their band live, do yourself a favour and go check them out next time they’re playing nearby.
And just like that, another Ottawa Bluesfest is in the books.
Next up is CityFolk, now only a little over a month away. After that, the countdown begins toward the 2027 Ottawa Bluesfest lineup announcement. Of course, if history has taught us anything, the Bluesfest booking team is probably already hard at work planning next year’s festival.
Before signing off, I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the entire Ottawa Bluesfest organization for once again welcoming Sound Check Entertainment to cover this incredible event. I don’t know the exact number, but I believe we’re approaching 15 consecutive years of reporting from LeBreton Flats each July, and it remains a privilege every single time.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a massive shoutout to Renée Doiron. Not only was she on site every single day of the festival, but she was also our lone photographer, capturing virtually every artist who stepped onto a Bluesfest stage. Through heat, rain, long days, and late nights, Renée consistently delivers some of the most outstanding images you’ll find anywhere.
Thank you, Renée, for your dedication, professionalism, and the countless hours you invest year after year to help tell the story of Ottawa Bluesfest through your lens.
And for anyone looking for her this week, chances are she’s finally catching up on some well-deserved sleep.
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