Festivals
Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 – July 16 Recap & Photos
Day 5 of Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 was a hard-hitting, guitar-heavy affair that kicked off the second week with a jolt of adrenaline and plenty of denim and leopard print. On July 16, Def Leppard headlined a packed evening that was stacked top to bottom with big riffs, indie charm, and blistering blues under the lingering summer heat at LeBreton Flats Park.
The RBC Stage belonged to Kingston band Luscious to start the night. Fronted by Birelle LeBlanc and her powerhouse vocals, the band delivered a fresh spin on classic rock. They rolled out tracks from their brand-new single “Caution Signs,” which already sounded like something fans could blast on a highway drive with the windows down. The band had swagger, but it was LeBlanc’s voice that kept people from wandering to the beer lines too early.
Things turned up a notch with Tom Morello, who brought his brand of political fire and guitar wizardry to the main stage. Opening with “Soldier in the Army of Love,” he turned the show into a rally. The visuals behind him showed footage of protests and social movements, punctuating every solo with purpose. His son Roman joined him onstage for some of the set, even pulling off a behind-the-head solo that got the crowd howling. Morello mixed his solo material with Rage Against The Machine staples like “One Man Revolution” and “Killing in the Name,” and even threw in a gritty blues number because, as he put it, “It is the Bluesfest after all.” He closed the set with a roaring version of John Lennon’s “Power to the People.”
If Morello was the rally, Def Leppard was the party. This was the band’s first-ever appearance at Bluesfest, but the crowd looked like they’d been waiting for this since the days of cassette tapes. The British legends pulled out hit after hit: “Rocket,” “Let’s Get Rocked,” “Foolin’,” “Rock of Ages.” Singer Joe Elliott, at 65, still had the vocal strength and stage presence to command the massive crowd, thanking the fans with genuine awe. Guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell blazed through solos like it was still 1987, while Rick Allen, still defying the odds behind the drum kit, kept it all locked in.
A highlight of the night came when Tom Morello returned to the stage to join the band for their recent collaboration “Just Like 73.” Seeing Morello’s sharp-edged style collide with Def Leppard’s arena polish was a rare and glorious crossover. For longtime fans and younger rock heads alike, it was a thrill.
While the RBC Stage was packed, the River Stage carved out space for more indie-leaning sounds. Toronto’s The Sarandons got things started with melodic guitar rock.
Later, The Decemberists brought their blend of whimsical storytelling and folk-rock charm, although frontman Colin Meloy joked about trying to “compete with Def Leppard’s volume.” Technical hiccups briefly paused their set, but the crowd stuck with them through it all, especially during standouts from their latest record As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again.
Over on the LeBreton Stage, D.K. Harrell gave one of the best performances of the night. At just 27, the Louisiana bluesman has already won awards and wowed audiences around the world, and Wednesday was no different. Backed by a band with a horn section that brought serious punch, Harrell played with soul and the kind of guitar feel that can’t be taught. Songs from Talkin’ Heavy and The Right Man gave a crash course in why blues still matters.
Later on, Reignwolf lit up the same stage with a gritty, chaotic set that fused blues roots with alt-rock ferocity. Canadian frontman Jordan Cook stomped and shredded like his life depended on it. If Harrell was the slick blues technician, Reignwolf was the storm that followed, with pounding drums and thick distortion. Their latest track “The Woods” shook the tent like a thunderclap.
Day 5 shaped up as one of the strongest lineups so far this year, balancing heritage acts and rising stars. And a whole lot of guitars!
Even with the temperature still high, the crowd stayed loud, dancing, shouting, and air-guitaring their way through it all. Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 is going full throttle into the 2nd week.
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 5 below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
TOM MORELLO
D.K. HARRELL
LUSCIOUS
THE SARANDONS
THE DECEMBERISTS
REIGNWOLF
Photo Credit: Kieran Delport, unless otherwise noted
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.
