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
Riot Fest 2026 Brings Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, and Twenty One Pilots to Chicago
Chicago’s beloved punk and alternative festival, Riot Fest, is back with another stacked lineup for 2026. The three-day event returns to Douglass Park from September 18-20, bringing together more than 100 artists across punk, rock, indie, metal, and alternative music.
Leading this year’s lineup are Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, Twenty One Pilots, and Pierce the Veil. The festival continues its tradition of mixing legendary names with newer acts and cult favorites.
Other major artists on the bill include Patti Smith and her band, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Santigold, Pixies, Rise Against, Bad Religion, Taking Back Sunday, Social Distortion, The All-American Rejects, and Bright Eyes.
Fans of heavier and more chaotic sets will have plenty to look forward to with appearances from GWAR, Chat Pile, Melt-Banana, and Insane Clown Posse. Riot Fest is also bringing together punk history with performances from Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter and Public Image Ltd.
The festival’s deep lineup stretches far beyond the headliners, with artists such as Pennywise, Descendents, Iggy Pop, Mom Jeans, The Format, Twin Peaks, Algernon Cadwallader, This Is Lorelei, and Jejune set to perform throughout the weekend.
Last year’s edition marked Riot Fest’s 20th anniversary, featuring returning favorites such as Green Day, Blink-182, and Weezer. This year’s lineup keeps that same mix of nostalgia, chaos, and genre-spanning energy that has made Riot Fest one of North America’s most recognizable alternative festivals.
Three-day passes are on sale now, including general admission, VIP, and deluxe ticket packages. Payment plan options are available for fans looking to spread out the cost of the weekend.
More information at riotfest.org.
Festivals
Zara Larsson, Robyn and Swedish House Mafia Lead Portola Festival 2026 Lineup
San Francisco’s Portola Music Festival is coming back to Pier 80 this fall with one of its biggest lineups yet, packed with dance music heavyweights, rare performances and a strong wave of Swedish pop and electronic talent.
Festival organizers Goldenvoice revealed the full 2026 lineup on Thursday, confirming that Zara Larsson, Robyn and Swedish House Mafia will headline the two-day event taking place Sept. 26 and 27 at San Francisco’s Pier 80.
Saturday night will feature a rare double-headliner setup led by Robyn and Dog Blood, the collaborative project between Skrillex and Boys Noize. The performance marks Dog Blood’s first show since 2019 and their only scheduled appearance of 2026. Robyn’s set is currently billed as her only festival performance of the year.
Sunday’s lineup will close with Swedish House Mafia, one of only two currently announced U.S. performances from the trio this year. Zara Larsson joins the second-day bill as one of the festival’s top acts, continuing what has already been a huge run for the Swedish pop star.
The 2026 lineup leans heavily into electronic and dance music, staying true to the festival’s identity since launching in 2022. Other names on the bill include Tove Lo, Tiësto, Four Tet, Fatboy Slim, Skepta, Soulwax, Channel Tres, Parcels and Melanie C, who is set to perform a DJ set during the festival.
Portola will once again host Despacio, the cult-favorite club concept created by Soulwax and James Murphy. Festivalgoers can expect another weekend of massive warehouse-style production, club-focused stages and late-night dance sets along San Francisco’s waterfront.
This year introduces a new premium experience called the Captain’s Club. The package includes VIP perks, access to a private two-level viewing deck and lounge at the Pier Stage, hosted bar service, dedicated merchandise support and on-stage access within the Warehouse stage area.
Tickets go on sale following a presale for returning attendees beginning June 1 at noon local time, with the general public sale launching June 2. One-day general admission passes start at $250, with two-day GA passes priced at $380. VIP passes begin at $440 for single-day access and $700 for the full weekend. Captain’s Club packages start at $1,600.
Goldenvoice senior vice president of talent and Portola founder Danny Bell recently told Billboard that building the festival lineup involves months of conversations and collaboration with artists to create standout moments unique to Portola.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has continued to support the festival’s growth, praising Portola and other Goldenvoice events for bringing tourism, nightlife and energy back to the city’s downtown core.
Last year’s festival featured headline performances from The Prodigy, Moby, LCD Soundsystem, The Chemical Brothers and Christina Aguilera.
Head to portolamusicfestival.com for more information.
Portola Festival 2026 Lineup:
ADÉLA
Airwolf Paradise
Azzecca
Baby J
Bassvictim
Beltran b2b Ben Sterling
Ben UFO
Brunello
Channel Tres
Chloé Caillet
Clearcast
Daphni
Dean Turnley
DESPACIO
DJ Shadow
DOG BLOOD (Skrillex & Boys Noize)
ear
erika b2b sfcowboy
Fatboy Slim
Fcukers
Felly Fell
Four Tet
Gelli Haha
Groove Armada
horsegiirL
jigitz
JT
Jyoty
Kelela
KETTAMA
Marlon Hoffstadt
Max Styler
Melanie C (DJ Set)
MGNA Crrrta
Mike D 5D
Mind Enterprises
Mochakk
nate sib
nimino
Ninajirachi
oskar med k
Overmono
Parcels
Prospa
Ranger Trucco b2b Alisha
riria
Robyn
Sam Alfred
Silva Bumpa
SG Lewis
Six Sex
Skepta
Soulwax
Swedish House Mafia
Tiësto
Tove Lo
Torren Foot
Tricky
underscores
VTSS
Zara Larsson
ZULAN