Festivals
Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 – July 11 Recap & Photos
Day 2 of Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 brought the literal and musical heat. With temperatures soaring into the high 30s and the sun beating down on LeBreton Flats Park, attendees showed up ready to sweat, sing, and soak it all in. The lineup leaned heavy on folk, blues, and singer-songwriter vibes. From the first strum to the final encore, it was a day of slow builds, big payoffs, and voices that could stop you in your tracks.
Local favourite Claude Munson opened the RBC Stage. His soft-spoken charm and introspective songwriting set the tone for the night: personal, poetic, and grounded in place. There was something almost nostalgic in the way he performed, especially when the crowd burst into laughter at the old-school DVD-logo-style animation bouncing across the screen behind him. Between stripped-back tunes and rich, full-band moments, Munson showed exactly why he’s such a fixture in Ottawa’s scene.
Not far away on the River Stage, Montreal singer-songwriter Vikki Gilmore gave a compelling performance that felt like stumbling onto a hidden gem. Her gentle presence and thoughtful lyrics pulled the crowd in, even as she joked about her guitar being completely warped by the heat. The vibe was like a late-night living room jam, intimate and warm.
Then came Charlotte Day Wilson, bringing her brand of soul-soaked R&B to the main stage with elegance and force. She moved effortlessly between moody minimalism and lush, slow-building grooves, delivering crowd favourites like “Work” and “Mountains.” Her low and rich voice cut through the haze as the sun finally started to dip. Despite the heat, fans pushed closer to the stage, drawn in by her magnetic presence.
Back at the LeBreton Stage, The Claudettes tore through a genre-hopping set. Equal parts cabaret, punk, and traditional blues, their sound was chaotic in the best way. Frontwoman Rachel Williams brought serious vocal fire and enough swagger for the whole tent. From bluesy breakdowns to jittery jazz freak-outs, The Claudettes kept the crowd dancing.
Amigo the Devil followed on the River Stage with a set that veered sharply into the macabre. His dark, folk-meets-metal storytelling covered everything from serial killers to substance abuse to heartbreak. He had the crowd laughing between songs and fully silent during them, which is no easy feat at an outdoor festival.
Later, Sarah Harmer brought the folk credentials full circle on the LeBreton Stage, continuing her decades-long relationship with Ottawa’s music scene. She opened with a solo acoustic number before bringing her band in, turning the performance into a full-bodied blend of protest songs, personal reflection, and rock-leaning rhythms. She’s a seasoned performer with a calming presence, but there was plenty of power under the surface, especially when she touched on environmental and political themes.
Taking the RBC Stage just after 9:20 p.m., Hozier delivered a big performance that was bold and beautifully arranged. Backed by a full band that included strings, keys, and a wall of harmonies, he moved through his catalog with the command of someone who knows exactly what he’s doing and who he’s doing it for. From the sultry pulse of “Too Sweet” to the stadium-sized swells of “Take Me to Church,” the Irish singer gave every song room to breathe, then explode. The messages behind the songs were enhanced by the giant LED screen behind him as well as three mesh screens that would at times come down in front of the stage.
The crowd (an all-ages sea of raised arms, glowing phones, and swaying bodies) hung on every note. Hozier‘s voice sounded just as flawless live as it does in the studio. But more than that, he brought a sense of weight and intention to the whole set. His acoustic rendition of “Cherry Wine” was breathtaking.
In one of the most striking moments of the night, Hozier took a political turn, calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East and connecting the call for Palestinian self-determination to the Irish experience. It was a moving monologue set against a slow jam, and the crowd responded with cheers, nods, and raised fists. He followed it with a message of unity and compassion, praising the crowd’s energy and togetherness.
By the time the final note rang out and the stage lights dimmed, Bluesfest Day 2 had become quite the emotional rollercoaster threaded with honesty and artistry. Whether it was the intimate moments, the genre-bending surprises, or the main stage magic, Friday gave the crowd something to remember (something to sweat for!).
Stay tuned for more coverage of the festival in the coming days. In the meantime, head to Ottawa Bluesfest’s website for more info on the rest of the festival.
Check out our favourite photos of Day 2 below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
HOZIER
CHARLOTTE DAY WILSON
CLAUDE MUNSON
AMIGO THE DEVIL
VIKKI GILMORE
THE CLAUDETTES
SARAH HARMER
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport
Festivals
All Things Go NY Reveals Set Times for 2026 NY Edition
All Things Go NY has revealed the set times for its 2026 edition at Forest Hills Stadium, with three days of performances led by Zara Larsson, Brandi Carlile, Ethel Cain, MUNA, Lola Young and Carly Rae Jepsen.
The New York edition runs September 25–27, with each day featuring a curated mix of established names and emerging artists. Larsson will close Friday night with her first-ever headlining festival set, following Lola Young and Rebecca Black. Saturday brings Brandi Carlile to the top of the bill, with Ethel Cain appearing earlier in the evening for her final performance of 2026 on the Willoughby Tucker Forever Tour.
Sunday closes the weekend with Carly Rae Jepsen and MUNA, while The Beaches, Hemlocke Springs, CMAT, Jensen McRae, Cara Delevingne and Rebecca Black are among the other artists performing across the three days.
The festival is adding comedy to its New York programming for the first time, with actor and comedian Meg Stalter joining Saturday’s lineup. Stalter follows Natali Jinju and precedes Jensen McRae on the day’s schedule.
Friday gets underway at 2:15 p.m. with Chloe Qisha, followed by Blu DeTiger and Cara Delevingne. Rebecca Black takes the stage at 5:05 p.m., with Lola Young at 6:50 p.m. before Zara Larsson closes the night from 8:45 to 10 p.m.
Saturday starts with Natali Jinju before Stalter, Jensen McRae and CMAT. Ethel Cain performs from 6:50 to 7:50 p.m., setting the stage for Brandi Carlile’s 8:35 p.m. closing set.
Sunday features Cherry Bomb, Grace Ives and Hemlocke Springs early in the day before The Beaches take the stage at 5:30 p.m. Carly Rae Jepsen follows at 7 p.m., with MUNA closing the festival from 8:45 to 10 p.m.
All Things Go has built a following around its carefully selected lineups and strong connection between artists and fans. That community has even inspired unofficial festival nicknames such as “Gay-chella,” “All Things Gay” and “Lesbopalooza.”
Lorde summed up the festival’s appeal during this year’s All Things Go Toronto edition, joking that she was collecting festival appearances like Pokémon before calling it the coolest festival in North America.
Lola Young, who returns to the festival this year, shared her own excitement about coming back: “All Things Go, we have unfinished business. I feel blessed and ready to take it to the next level. Thank you for having me back.”
The New York festival is part of an expanded 2026 All Things Go schedule that includes editions in DC and Toronto. The DC festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion features Hayley Williams, Mitski, Brandi Carlile and Slayyyter, while Toronto‘s June 6–7 edition at RBC Amphitheatre featured Lorde, Kesha, The Beaches and Wet Leg.
Three-day tickets for all three New York dates are sold out. A limited number of single-day tickets and two-day combinations remain available through the official All Things Go website.
All Things Go @ Forest Hills
Friday, September 25
Gates: 2 p.m.
- 2:15–2:45 p.m. — Chloe Qisha
- 3–3:30 p.m. — Blu DeTiger
- 4–4:35 p.m. — Cara Delevingne
- 5:05–6:05 p.m. — Rebecca Black
- 6:50–7:50 p.m. — Lola Young
- 8:45–10 p.m. — Zara Larsson
Saturday, September 26
Gates: 2 p.m.
- 2:15–2:45 p.m. — Natali Jinju
- 3 p.m. — Meg Stalter
- 4:05–4:50 p.m. — Jensen McRae
- 5:20–6:05 p.m. — CMAT
- 6:50–7:50 p.m. — Ethel Cain
- 8:35–10 p.m. — Brandi Carlile
Sunday, September 27
Gates: 2 p.m.
- 2:15–2:45 p.m. — Cherry Bomb
- 3–3:30 p.m. — Grace Ives
- 3:45–4:30 p.m. — Hemlocke Springs
- 5:30–6:15 p.m. — The Beaches
- 7–8 p.m. — Carly Rae Jepsen
- 8:45–10 p.m. — MUNA
Festivals
All Things Go Festival 2026 Reveals Set Times for DC Edition
All Things Go Festival has revealed the full set times for its 12th annual DC-area edition, giving fans a first look at how three days of packed programming will unfold across the Pavilion and Chrysalis stages.
Taking place September 25–27 at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the sold-out festival features a lineup led by Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, Zara Larsson, Mitski, MUNA, Lola Young, Remi Wolf and Ethel Cain. Other performers across the weekend include The Beaches, Slayyyter, underscores, Magdalena Bay, Wolf Alice, Tinashe, Sierra Ferrell and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
The festival has sold out for five straight years, a reflection of the community All Things Go has built around its mix of established artists, rising acts and a fan-first atmosphere. This year, comedian Robby Hoffman joins the music lineup, adding a different kind of performance to the weekend.
The Friday schedule starts with Stella Lefty at 3:50 p.m., followed by Balu Brigada, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Hoffman on the Pavilion Stage. Ethel Cain takes the stage at 7:15 p.m. before Mitski closes the night from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Over at Chrysalis, Slayyyter and Magdalena Bay round out the evening.
Saturday begins at 11:30 a.m. and builds toward a pair of major performances. MUNA plays from 6:45 to 8 p.m. before Hayley Williams closes the Pavilion Stage from 9:30 to 11 p.m. The Beaches have a lengthy 3:15–5:05 p.m. slot on Chrysalis, followed by Del Water Gap and Zara Larsson.
Sunday brings another stacked schedule, with Brandi Carlile closing the Pavilion Stage from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Earlier performances include Tiny Habits, Jensen McRae, CMAT, Wolf Alice, Tinashe, Remi Wolf and Sierra Ferrell. Lola Young takes the Chrysalis Stage at 8:15 p.m., following Father John Misty.
The community surrounding All Things Go has become part of the festival’s identity. Fans and artists have affectionately referred to the event as “Gay-chella,” “All Things Gay” and “Lesbopalooza,” reflecting the inclusive audience the festival has cultivated over the years.
That spirit was summed up by Lorde during this year’s All Things Go Toronto festival, where she joked that she was trying to attend every edition and called it the coolest festival in North America.
Lola Young, returning to the festival lineup, shared a similar sentiment: “All Things Go, we have unfinished business. I feel blessed and ready to take it to the next level. Thank you for having me back.”
The DC festival is part of a larger 2026 expansion for All Things Go. The New York edition at Forest Hills features Zara Larsson, Lola Young, Brandi Carlile, Ethel Cain, MUNA and Carly Rae Jepsen, among others. Toronto‘s June 6–7 edition at RBC Amphitheatre featured Lorde, Kesha, The Beaches and Wet Leg.
For fans still looking to attend the DC festival, the final single-day tickets, two-day combinations and three-day passes are available through the official All Things Go website.
All Things Go @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
Friday, September 25
Gates: 3 p.m.
Pavilion Stage
- 3:50–4:25 p.m. — Stella Lefty
- 4:35–5:05 p.m. — Balu Brigada
- 5:25–6:10 p.m. — Rainbow Kitten Surprise
- 6:15–6:45 p.m. — Robby Hoffman
- 7:15–8:20 p.m. — Ethel Cain
- 9:30–11 p.m. — Mitski
Chrysalis Stage
- 3:30–3:50 p.m. — SYML
- 4–4:20 p.m. — Rico Nasty
- 4:30–5 p.m. — underscores
- 5:10–5:45 p.m. — Ninajirachi
- 6:30–7:15 p.m. — Slayyyter
- 8:20–9:20 p.m. — Magdalena Bay
Saturday, September 26
Gates: 11 a.m.
Pavilion Stage
- 11:30–11:50 a.m. — Kevin Atwater
- 12–12:30 p.m. — Love Spells
- 12:50–1:20 p.m. — Grace Ives
- 1:40–2:10 p.m. — Hemlocke Springs
- 2:30–3:15 p.m. — Rebecca Black
- 3:35–4:25 p.m. — She & Him
- 5–6 p.m. — Suki Waterhouse
- 6:45–8 p.m. — MUNA
- 9:30–11 p.m. — Hayley Williams
Chrysalis Stage
- 11:30–11:50 a.m. — Glom
- 12–12:20 p.m. — Susannah Joffe
- 12:30–1 p.m. — Zolita
- 1:20–1:50 p.m. — Haute & Freddy
- 2:10–2:55 p.m. — Naika
- 3:15–5:05 p.m. — The Beaches
- 5:45–6:45 p.m. — Del Water Gap
- 8–9:15 p.m. — Zara Larsson
Sunday, September 27
Gates: 11 a.m.
Pavilion Stage
- 11:30–11:50 a.m. — Wes Parker
- 12–12:30 p.m. — Jake Minch
- 12:50–1:20 p.m. — Tiny Habits
- 1:40–2:10 p.m. — Jensen McRae
- 2:30–3:15 p.m. — CMAT
- 3:35–4:25 p.m. — Wolf Alice
- 5–5:25 p.m. — Tinashe
- 6:45–7:15 p.m. — Remi Wolf
- 7:35–8:15 p.m. — Sierra Ferrell
- 9:30–11 p.m. — Brandi Carlile
Chrysalis Stage
- 11:30–11:50 a.m. — googly eyes
- 12–12:20 p.m. — Natalie Jinju
- 12:30–1 p.m. — Trousdale
- 1:20–1:50 p.m. — Violet Grohl
- 2:10–2:55 p.m. — Rochelle Jordan
- 3:15–4 p.m. — Ryan Beatty
- 4:20–5:05 p.m. — Flipturn
- 5:45–6:45 p.m. — Father John Misty
- 8:15–9:15 p.m. — Lola Young
