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
Olivia Rodrigo Announces New Music Festival, Daisy Chain Fields Featuring All-Women Lineup
Today, GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum artist Olivia Rodrigo announced Daisy Chain Fields, a new music festival bringing together women in music to support and uplift women and girls. The festival will celebrate the power of collective experiences to inspire new ideas, deepen understanding, and drive action. Taking place August 29 at Great Park in Irvine, California, the single-day event will bring together an all-women lineup of groundbreaking artists, women- and girls-focused nonprofit organizations, and a community rooted in creativity, connection, and collective impact. Net proceeds from the festival will benefit non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls.
The festival’s lineup features Bikini Kill, Chappell Roan, Die Spitz, Doechii, Eli, Garbage, KATSEYE, Mistki, Not For Radio, Olivia Rodrigo, Quiet Light, Rachel Chinouriri, Santigold, and The Breeders, all across two stages, along with special guests Karen O, Sarah McLachlan and Stevie Nicks.
“Daisy Chain Fields is built on the belief that joy, community, and creativity can inspire meaningful change,” says Rodrigo. “I’m so excited to celebrate this incredible lineup of women, and I’m grateful to all of our partners in helping us make this festival come to life. By bringing together women in music and organizations helping shape a better future for women and girls, I hope we can build a community that inspires hope and positive change.” See Rodrigo’s full mission statement for the festival at daisychainfields.com.
Beyond the music, Daisy Chain Fields will feature nonprofit activations, educational resources, community art experiences, local vendors, fan pop-ups, and immersive installations designed to foster connection and engagement. Festival attendees will have opportunities to learn about and support organizations working across reproductive rights, maternal health, economic empowerment, domestic violence prevention, and gender equity.
Some of the organizations Daisy Chain Fields is partnering with include:
- Baby2Baby
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance
- Center for Reproductive Rights
- FreeFrom
- Jhpiego
- Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health
- National Domestic Workers Alliance
- National Institute for Reproductive Health
- National Women’s Law Center
- Planned Parenthood
For more information on the organizations, head to daisychainfields.com.
TICKETS: The Festival Presale begins Wednesday, June 24 at 10am PT. Fans can sign up for a presale passcode via SMS or email at daisychainfields.comnow through June 24.
All tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Please check the festival website and social media for more news. For any additional ticket information please visit support.daisychainfields.com.
The festival announcement follows the release of Rodrigo’s third studio album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love out now via Geffen Records – listen/buy here. The new album is the biggest solo debut of 2026, with 485,000 units sold in the first week. The first single released from the album “drop dead”, made Rodrigo the first person ever to debut the first 3 singles off their first 3 albums at #1. Listen/watch here. The second single released from the album, “the cure” also hit #1 on several Billboard charts including the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, Hot Alternative Songs, and Alternative Digital Song Sales charts. Listen/watch here. Rodrigo also released the official music video for new track “stupid song”. Directed by Mitch Ryan and shot in New York City, the video was choreographed by and features Prima Ballerina Tiler Peck and other dancers from the NYC Ballet and American Ballet Theater – watch here. Limited-edition merchandise, curated collectibles, vinyl and more are available now.
Daisy Chain Fields is produced by C3 Presents and Live Nation.
Festivals
LASSO Montréal 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule for Fifth Anniversary Festival
The countdown to LASSO Montréal 2026 is on. With less than two months to go before the festival returns to Parc Jean-Drapeau on August 15 and 16, organizers have unveiled the full daily schedule for the event’s fifth anniversary, giving fans a chance to start planning their weekend.
Across two days, 36 artists will perform on four stages, from major country headliners to rising names and local talent. The festival will get an early start on August 14 with LASSO in the City, which will bring live country music and festival energy into downtown Montréal ahead of the main event. More details on that celebration are expected soon.
Saturday will kick off with Arpin Lépine opening the Coors Original Prairie Stage at 2 p.m., followed by sets from Laci Kaye Booth, James Barker Band, Max McNown, and Jon Pardi. Over on the Bell LASSO Stage, fans can catch Elizabeth Nichols, Chance Peña, The Band Perry, and Koe Wetzel, before Thomas Rhett closes out the night from 9:20 p.m. to 10:50 p.m.
The Coca-Cola Ranch Stage will showcase emerging talent throughout the day, including Tyla Rodrigues, Shawnee Kish, Léa Jarry, Noah Bridgen, and Waylon Wyatt. Fans looking for a more intimate experience can head to the SiriusXM Backyard Sessions, featuring performances from Krystel Mongeau, Theo Day, and Hayden Ryann.
Sunday follows a similar format, with Kalsey Kulyk opening the Prairie Stage before performances by Lily Fitts, Jonah Kagen, Cameron Whitcomb, and Old Dominion.
The Bell LASSO Stage will feature Just Jayne, Classe Moyenne, Carly Pearce, and Turnpike Troubadours, leading into the weekend’s final headlining performance from Mumford & Sons, who take the stage at 9 p.m.
The Ranch Stage lineup includes Blue Ridge Band, Morgan Griffiths, Zach Chico, Gab Bouchard, and Blake Whiten, giving fans plenty of opportunities to discover new artists throughout the day. The SiriusXM Backyard Sessions will spotlight Sorrene, Joël Vogt, and Paige Somerville, along with other emerging performers.
Beyond the music, LASSO will once again feature its popular line dancing tent, interactive activities throughout the grounds, family-friendly attractions, and plenty of food and drink options. As the festival celebrates its fifth edition, organizers are promising its biggest and most festive year yet, combining established country stars with the next generation of artists in one of Canada’s premier country music festivals.
Check out the schedule below or head to LASSO’s website for more information.
