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 Toronto 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule Ahead of June Festival Weekend
All Things Go Toronto 2026 has officially shared the daily schedule for its 2026 edition, giving fans a closer look at how the weekend at RBC Amphitheatre will unfold on June 6 and 7.
The festival, which expanded into Toronto in 2025 after building a strong following in the United States, is bringing a lineup packed with indie pop, alternative, and rising Canadian talent. Doors for both days open at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday’s lineup is headlined by Kesha, who closes out the night with a set running from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Before that, hometown favourites The Beaches will take over the stage from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. The day will also feature performances from Rachel Chinouriri, Holly Humberstone, Sofia Camara, and Bella Kay.
Sunday shifts into a more indie-rock-heavy close with Lorde headlining from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The lead-up includes a stacked evening featuring Wet Leg and Del Water Gap. Earlier in the day, fans can catch sets from Jade LeMac, MOMMA, and Flower Face.
The schedule reveal arrives after months of anticipation surrounding the festival’s Toronto return. Lorde’s appearance comes during a major stretch for the singer following renewed live activity and growing excitement around her next era, while Kesha continues her recent comeback run that has leaned into a more independent and celebratory direction onstage.
With set times now locked in, fans can officially start planning their festival weekend, whether that means camping out for barricade spots, bouncing between artists, or preparing for what could easily become one of Toronto’s biggest music weekends of the summer.
Find more information on the All Things Go Toronto website.
Festivals
Charli XCX, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Skrillex, Kings Of Leon And The xx To Headline The 25th Anniversary Of Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026
In celebration of its 25th Anniversary, Austin City Limits Music Festival has delivered an electrifying 2026 lineup featuring headliners Charli xcx, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Skrillex (W1), Kings of Leon (W2) and The xx. The powerhouse lineup also includes Turnstile, Labrinth, Lola Young, The Chainsmokers, Geese, Young Miko, Bleachers, SOFI TUKKER, Parcels, The War On Drugs, Leon Thomas, Brandon Flowers (W1) and much more. The nine-stage, two weekend celebration of music and community will take place October 2-4 and October 9-11. 3-Day Tickets for both weekends will go on sale at 12pm CT today at www.aclfestival.com.
Austin City Limits Music Festival’s stages are where the next generation of headliners are born, and where music fans can discover the latest surge in up-and-coming talent. This year’s lineup features an incredible array of ones-to-watch talent, including Sienna Spiro (W2), Audrey Hobert, Bella Kay (W2), STELLA LEFTY (W1), Paris Paloma, Skye Newman, Claire Rosinkranz, Rochelle Jordan (W1), Charlotte Lawrence (W2), Molly Santana (W1),Faouzia, Britton (W1), Cassandra Coleman (W2), Sasha Keable (W2), Izzy Escobar (W1), Chelsea Jordan (W2), and more. 2026 also brings an amazing group of Latin artists to Zilker Park, including Young Miko, rusowsky, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Paloma Morphy, Damaris Bojor (W2), Rubio (W1), and more.
For 25 years, ACL Fest has delivered exceptional fan experiences and world-class lineups, all while honoring its Texas roots. This year’s proud homegrown artists include Bo Staloch (W1), World Famous Pets (W2), Calder Allen, Solya (W1), Asleep At The Wheel (W1), DJ Cassandra (W1), Cure For Paranoia (W1), NIGHT TRAVELER (W1), Grocery Bag (W1), Coleman Jennings (W1), lluvii (W2), Montclair (W2), Almost Heaven (W2), Left Lucid (W1), The 4411(W1), The Moriah Sisters (W1), and the Huston Tillotson University Jazz Collective (W2).
Relive 25 years of ACL Fest with us when you channel surf on aclfestival.com/25years!
3-Day General Admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum Tickets, Hotel + Festival Experience, and Group Hospitality Packages will go on sale today at 12pm CT at www.aclfestival.com. Layaway plans are available. 1-Day Tickets will be available at a later date. Music fans ages 8 and under are welcome free of charge to all general admission areas with a ticketed adult. Austin Kiddie Limits programming information will be announced later this summer.
GA+ includes unlimited access to the GA+ Lounge with air-conditioned restrooms, dedicated food for purchase, private bar with drinks for purchase, on-site hospitality team, and a jumbo screen livestreaming festival stages and top sports games. VIP guests will enjoy access to two lounges, which feature viewing decks with elevated sightlines of the two main stages, complimentary all-day beer, seltzer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages, complimentary WiFi and mobile chargers, dedicated food vendors for purchase, access to an air-conditioned lounge with relaxed seating and an Official Festival Merchandise store within the VIP East Lounge. Platinum guests will enjoy access to an air-conditioned lounge with relaxed seating, complimentary full-service bar and all-day dining in the Lounge, front-of-stage viewing at 6 stages with complimentary beer and seltzers, golf cart transportation between Platinum festival entrances, Platinum Lounges, and front-of-stage viewing areas, and so much more. A full list of GA, GA+, VIP, and Platinum amenities can be found at www.aclfestival.com/tickets.
Break away and unwind in a dedicated Bungalow located above the VIP viewing deck and overlooking the T-Mobile Stage, complete with lounge seating, complimentary beverages and all-day snacks and dinner buffet, complimentary WiFi, merchandise concierge with festival merchandise delivered directly to your Bungalow, and views of the T-Mobile Stage. The Bungalow package includes 10 tickets with full access to VIP. More information can be found at www.aclfestival.com/tickets.
The newest member of ACL Fest’s Group Hospitality Packages is The Speakeasy Lounge. This premier option allows your group to step into your own private, air-conditioned lounge on the festival grounds, providing an exclusive gathering space for 25–75 guests designed for unforgettable moments. Whether you’re hosting a private celebration, entertaining clients, or gathering your team for the day, this intimate yet vibrant setting offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and energy just steps away from the buzz of the festival, with access to VIP amenities included. More information can be found at www.aclfestival.com/tickets.
While experiencing all that ACL Fest has to offer, come hang awhile in the shady grove where Bonus Tracks brings the biggest party to the smallest stage at Zilker Park. A haven for culture and connection, the Bonus Tracks stage has become a must-see for festival goers. You can expect all kinds of entertainment from artist interviews, podcast recordings, cooking demos, drag performances, and creative ways to move your body and recharge your mind. Pasthighlights include Brené Brown in conversation with Matthew McConaughey, Dave Grohl and Brett Goldstein, intimate chats with Billie Eilish, Noah Cyrus, Antonio Porowski, Japanese Breakfast and The Beaches, surprise acoustic sets with featured artists from the lineup, high-energy dance parties and line-dance lessons with Bob’s Dance Shop, and the best of Austin Drag hosting bingo and unforgettable shows. Stay tuned for the 2026 lineup and expect the unexpected!
Disney+ and Hulu are the official streaming destinations for this year’s ACL Festival. Catch three days of select live performances, interviews, and much more during Weekend One, October 2-4. Full broadcast lineup and schedule to be announced later this summer.
This year, Spotify and ACL Fest are teaming up to give fans the ultimate festival flex. A new in–app experience will showcase the unique overlap between user listening history and the 2026 ACL Fest Lineup, a custom “Festival Persona” based on their unique listening habits and generate a bespoke playlist that intelligently pairs a fan’s top artists on the lineup. This new partnership brings the best of Spotify to ACL Festival goers who are looking to personalize their festival journey and find their next favorite artist before the first note even hits the stage. Head to Spotify to discover your personalized ACL Festival experience and listen to the Official ACL Festival Playlist here to get yourself ready for the best start to your fest.
Austin City Limits Music Festival is proud to call Zilker Park home. Since 2006, ACL Festival, in partnership with Austin Parks Foundation, has generated more than $79 million towards improvements to Zilker Park and parks across Austin. In 2025, through a percentage of ticket sales, fans of ACL Fest contributed $8.5 million to improving Austin’s public parks, trails, and green spaces. In the coming year, APF will utilize ACL Fest funds to help design and complete park improvement projects across Austin including projects at Chestnut Pocket Park, Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park, and Onion Creek Metropolitan Park in addition to funding sport court improvements across multiple districts. For more information about Austin Parks Foundation’s work in the Austin community and how fans have contributed to Austin’s parks, please visit https://austinparks.org/acl-music-festival/.
Fans can sign up for the ACL Fest SMS and Email Lists to be the first to get new information at www.aclfestival.com and follow social media to stay in the loop on all festival announcements.