Review of Bluesfest Working day 5: The songs style mashup

Review of Bluesfest Working day 5: The songs style mashup
Jontavious Willis performs at Bluesfest on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Ottawa, Ont. [Photo by L. Manuel Baechlin/The Charlatan]

The fifth night of Bluesfest was crammed with distinction as musicians handled the viewers to performances from a variety of new music genres. The crowd in attendance was as exclusive as the performances, but blended into a mosaic of new music lovers as the evening progressed.

With option rock, blues and EDM, day five of Bluesfest was a magical knowledge. 

Lyle Odjick & The Northern Steam, a Canadian blues-rock band, established a superior-electrical power tone to open the night time on the Sirius XM phase. Odjick, the direct singer from the Algonquin reservation of Kitigan Zibi in Quebec, captivated audiences with his smoky voice. A harmonica echoed by means of the group as admirers stomped and nodded their heads in unison. 

More than on the RBC stage, alternative R&B singer Frase confirmed admirers his ability to display lovely and special seems. All through his established, he showed enormous range as he transitioned from a slow, sit-down melody to a speedy-paced EDM conquer that left the viewers captivated.

In the meantime, Emma Armstrong ft. A Short Wander To Pluto serenaded the crowd at the River Stage with their eclectic consider on rock. The Canadian rock band performed hits these types of as “Mary’s Paper Boat,” “Final Hero” and “The Flood.” The band’s stage presence was mesmerizing, and the chemistry concerning group associates enhanced the encounter. They looked like a bunch of close friends basically having fun with each and every other’s company when producing audio. 

Canadian rock duo Crown Lands was upcoming to complete on the River Stage. They right away captured the audience’s attention as lead singer Cody Bowles appeared in a placing white jumpsuit equivalent to the 1 worn by Elvis Presley. The duo turned up their speakers and sang about colonialism using their music as an exceptional outlet for activism.

Grammy-nominated blues artist Jontavious Willis sat down with lovers less than the tent of the Sirius XM phase. As he switched in between tracks, the stage lights altered to match the mood of the songs, including an additional layer of depth. The crowd, while personal, was enthralled with Willis’ exclusive modern day choose on blues songs. He performed hits these types of as “Low Down Ways,” “The Blues is Lifeless?” and “Resting on my Brain.”

Strolling from the Sirius XM Stage tent to the RBC phase felt like a fever dream. The blues slowly but surely faded in the length, only to be replaced by challenging EDM songs performed by SAINt JHN. The Guyanese-American rapper and singer hyped the viewers with his prime strike, “Roses.” SAINt JHN commonly interacted with the group throughout the effectiveness, checking in, asking inquiries and even foremost a prayer toward the close. 

Two festival headliners took to the stage at the similar time in the night, with Marshmello on the RBC stage and A few Days Grace on the River Phase. This was a error on the element of pageant organizers, as both of those artists experienced a significant enough fanbase to execute separately. The crowds have been eventually break up in two toward this component of the night. 

A complete pink buck moon blessed the sky in tune with the performances. People of all ages had been dancing to the DJ’s electric melodies. Marshmello experienced the group leaping alongside to the beat, adding a physical feeling to the ordeal.

The Canadian rock band A few Times Grace finished the evening with their excellent effectiveness on the River Stage. Whilst playing their most recognized tune, “I Hate All the things About You,” admirers were seen flashing rock symbols with their hands bouncing to the defeat of the music.


Showcased picture by L. Manuel Baechlin.