It’s so strange to me to think that last year was the first time I ever went to RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa. While Toronto was home for over ten years before moving to Ottawa to save for adoption with Julio, I lived in the city for a long time before that and I can’t wrap my head around the fact that as a music lover I never attended. That or maybe at 39 years old, I just can’t remember if I did….
Either way, the 2023 lineup was recently announced that there’s a reason why everyone is loosing their minds over the line up. Let’s talk about it!
With a lineup that is being called its best to date, RBC Bluesfest is set to take not only Ottawa but the country by storm this summer with names that will bring fans from coast-to-coast to the nation’s capital!
Featured acts on the mainstage include Shania Twain (July 6); Weezer (July 7); Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (July 8); Death Cab for Cutie (July 9); Foo Fighters (July 12); Mumford & Sons (July 13); Charlotte Cardin (July 14); Pitbull (July 15); and The Smile (July 16).
The festival will offer an abundance of great acts such as ‘Rock N Roll Hall of Famers’ Foo Fighters, who attracted one of the largest crowds ever for the festival in 2018.
“As usual, the ‘fest will present a who’s who of internationally recognized artists, including Mumford & Sons, Shania Twain, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Declan McKenna, Thundercat, Fleet Foxes, and The Smile, along with a hundred other international and local acts,” says the festival’s executive and artistic director Mark Monahan.
“This program will show ‘fest fans that we’re back in a big way for 2023!” adds Monahan.
Having finally attended with RBCxMUSIC last year for a few concerts I can’t wait to get back with Julio this summer and immerse myself in this distinctly Ottawa experience. I encourage you all to act fast since VIP presales are officially sold out!
The festival will run from Thursday, July 6 to Sunday, July 9 and from Wednesday, July 12 to Sunday, July 16. Also included in the programming are numerous established and emerging stars such as:
(July 6) Orville Peck; bbno$; Dax; Son Little; John Németh; Brea Lawrenson; J.C; Melissa Lamm; Mikhail Laxton; Mimi O’Bonsawin.
(July 7) Thundercat; Billy Talent; PUP; Tank & The Bangas; Jupiter & Okwess; Southern Avenue; Digging Roots; Emily Jean Flack; Melo Griffith; The Jesse Greene Band.
(July 8) BADBADNOTGOOD; Blackie and The Rodeo Kings ft. Daniel Lanois and Suzie Vinnick; Raul Midón; Sugaray Rayford; The Texas Horns; Aspects; Nesrallah Artuso Project; Steven Taetz.
(July 9) Tegan and Sara; Alan Doyle; Bran Van 3000; Moonlight Benjamin; Jack Barksdale; Youngtree & The Blooms; Guy Belanger; East Coast Experience; Emmanuelle Querry.
(July 12) AJR; White Reaper; MONOWHALES; Black Joe Lewis; Lime Cordiale; My Son The Hurricane; River City Junction.
(July 13) The War On Drugs; Declan McKenna; Sudan Archives; Cam Kahin; Lloyd Spiegel; Loviet; Amos The Transparent; Angelina Hunter Trio; Ash Ravens; Avery Raquel.
(July 14) FLETCHER; Fleet Foxes; Allison Russell; Rich Aucoin; Sauce Boss; Sussex; Amanda Jordan; Pony Girl.
(July 15) Ludacris; Julia Jacklin; HOROJO Trio; TJ Wheeler; Abby Stewart; Drew Nelson; GRAE; Joe McDonald.
(July 16) – Koffee; Alvvays; Miss Emily; Eazy Finesse; Megan Jerome; and Steph La Rochelle.
The festival will take place at LeBreton Flats Park in Ottawa and is fully licensed.
For more on RBC Bluesfest, go to www.ottawabluesfest.ca
Join music lovers and festival goers alike for an experience you simply have to see to believe at this year’s biggest and best RBC Bluesfest yet!
Come along with Julio & I if you aren’t following us yet at @dothedaniel & @fashionights on all social media platforms.
Photos: Daniel Reyes Cocka and aforementioned participating brands
Don’t forget to be kind & laugh a little more this year
*Please note that this may be a sponsored post and promotional consideration may have been offered by participating brands – our disclosure can be found at all times by clicking here.