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
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