After a two day hiatus RBC Bluesfest returned on Wednesday with a bang as Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters exploded back onto the main stage at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa.
River City Junction performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron
Our journey started at the SiriusXM stage in Bluesville where our good friends, and neighbours from Cardinal Ontario, River City Junction were rockin’ out. These guys first caught my ear many years ago at a sidewalk sale in Brockville, we were browsing the exhibits when Caroline’s powerful vocals singing a Beatles song (thinking possibly “Come Together” but I can’t remember what I had for breakfast yesterday let alone what I heard a decade ago lol). Her vocals drew me in and when I arrived I was surprised to see that not only was she an incredible vocalist she was also the drummer in the band. Add in Jason’s masterful guitar skills and I was hooked. Jason and Caroline have become friends over the years, I’ve worked with artists who have had music produced by Jason and even had him produce a single by my very own daughter (unfortunately to date she has yet to decide to follow her talent to the stage but we’re working on it). You’re always in for a good show when River City Junction are on stage so make sure you check them out.
My Son the Hurricane performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron
Next up was a trip up to the River Stage for a major bucket list act…My Son The Hurricane. I’ve been following this group for almost a decade now and let me tell you if you need a shot of energy a set from My Son The Hurricane will give you far more than any jolt of caffeine or energy drink will. I think we counted 12 or 13 members in the band which consisted of 2 drummers, several trombone players, three trumpet players, a guitarist and the incredible saxophone skills of Kristen Prince (I’m a former band geek and tenor sax was my instrument of choice so seeing Kristen rock not just the tenor but the big baritone sax all the while keeping up the high energy show was amazing to watch).
My Son the Hurricane performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron
I’m going to go out on a limb here and, for me, out of all of the performances I’ve seen so far this year at RBC Bluesfest My Son The Hurricane is the act to beat. There have been some amazing performances but there was just something about the vibe radiating from the stage during the performance that spread over the crowd like a blanket of positivity and inclusivity. (I’m writing this review on my 49th Birthday and seeing key players in this band that can still rock out like that at close to the same age as me gives me hope as I prepare to cross into the half century mark next summer)
Adrian Sutherland performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron
After we wrapped up at the River Stage I had to take my first trip of the year into the Barney Danson Theatre for my friend Adrian Sutherland. I’ve known Adrian for many years now, a fellow northern man (only he’s from a bit further north than me) Adrian first came on my radar about a decade ago when I discovered his band Midnight Shine at a festival in Timmins, Ontario. Over the years I befriended the band and first connected with them in person at CityFolk in 2016 and then again at RBC Bluesfest a year later where I spent some time covering their journey from the far north to the mainstage at RBC Bluesfest opening for the legendary Tom Petty. There was something special about that show as, little did we know at the time, we would lose Tom Petty mere months later. Adrian has gone on to a very successful solo career which has already netted him nominations at the 2022 JUNO Awards and 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards, his single “Magic Hits” won Best Music Video from the 47th American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco. This was my first time seeing Adrian solo, without the guys, and it was a cool stripped back vibe. It was bit on the dark side for me and I still prefer having his band backing him but I’m confident that Adrian will find success whichever route he takes and proud to call him a friend. Definitely take the time to listen to his music and, even better, catch him live if you can. He’s on tour now so find a show and go!
Monowhales performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron
Unfortunately volunteer duties forced me to miss the Monowhales show but many were raving about it so I’m just going to have to add them to my bucket list and make sure to catch them the next time they come around.
And that brings us to the main event. The Foo Fighters made their RBC Bluesfest debut back in 2018 and my review, at the time, was a bit on the negative side…I believe I used the words angry Muppet to describe Dave Grohl. As I went into Wednesday night’s show I told myself I’d go in with a fresh perspective and try to find a more positive angle to the performance.
Foo Fighters perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron
It wasn’t easy but as the show went on I actually, wait for it…, found myself enjoying it. Dave Grohl still reminded me of an angry Muppet but I like Muppets and Animal is the craziest one in the bunch and he’s one of my favourites so if Dave reminds me of him…I guess that’s not a bad thing. Musically I still felt that the studio recordings were better but we don’t go to a live show to listen to studio recordings (ok some artists might lip synch to their studio recordings but we’re not going to name any names).
Foo Fighters perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron
Grohl reminisced about the last time they performed at the festival; “we’ve played here before haven’t we?” he told the crowd “ya I think we were here with Greta (Van Fleet), they were like 12 back then”. It was his connection and interaction with the crowd that really hooked me. During the band intros Grohl got to, guitarist, Pat Smear and told the crowd that everyone’s doing Metallica “Weezer does it”, he said “so we should too” so Smear cranked out the chords for “Enter Sandman” and the crowd went wild. After a half a minute Grohl said “ok enough the crowd wants to hear Foo Fighters not Metallica” much to the crowd’s delight. Interesting to mention Metallica has been a recurring theme at RBC Bluesfest this year with multiple bands giving their own renditions of some of their more popular hits including Weezer and My Son The Hurricane (btw I’m not complaining one bit).
Foo Fighters perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron
I truly enjoyed the more stripped down performances of the night which gave Grohl a chance to showcase the fact that he can actually sing without screaming…maybe he needed to lower his blood pressure for a song or two but it really did show his softer side. And if that wasn’t enough bringing his daughter, Violet, out to join him on stage for a pair of songs was just the icing on the cake. That moment connected with me the most because family is so important in this business, I too involve my kids (and wife) as often as possible. In fact my son is with me at RBC Bluesfest again this year and will be tackling his first, ever, solo review on Friday evening (I’m taking the night off, for the first time in years I get to celebrate my birthday with my wife outside of RBC Bluesfest).
I guess my favourite moment was hearing that not just we, but a few good friends Laura and Emily, got approved to shoot the show. Laura was once a shooter for Sound Check Entertainment, she’s a huge Foo Fighters fan, and several years ago an error was made and she was mistakenly approved to cover their show in Toronto but while she was enroute to the show the approval was overturned. I know how crushing that was for her so I know that when the approval came on Wednesday evening I know it was a huge moment in her career as a concert photographer. We always celebrate the successes of current, and past, members of the Sound Check family and Wednesday was definitely a night for the highlight reels.
So to sum it all up Wednesday was definitely a night of highlights for me at RBC Bluesfest and, yes, I even enjoyed the Foo Fighters.
I should note there’s a lot going on at RBC Bluesfest and there’s many acts, every night, and it’s tough to get to them all. Just because they aren’t mentioned doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of checking out. If you go to the festival checkout the side stages and the Barney Danson Theatre, you just might find something you like!
I’m off for a couple of nights and will return to Lebreton Flats to close out 2023 on Saturday and Sunday, my daughter Kylie will take the reins on Thursday with Keenan taking on the review for Friday night’s festivities.
Until then, be safe and have fun!
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