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
All Things Go NY Reveals Set Times for 2026 NY Edition
All Things Go NY has revealed the set times for its 2026 edition at Forest Hills Stadium, with three days of performances led by Zara Larsson, Brandi Carlile, Ethel Cain, MUNA, Lola Young and Carly Rae Jepsen.
The New York edition runs September 25–27, with each day featuring a curated mix of established names and emerging artists. Larsson will close Friday night with her first-ever headlining festival set, following Lola Young and Rebecca Black. Saturday brings Brandi Carlile to the top of the bill, with Ethel Cain appearing earlier in the evening for her final performance of 2026 on the Willoughby Tucker Forever Tour.
Sunday closes the weekend with Carly Rae Jepsen and MUNA, while The Beaches, Hemlocke Springs, CMAT, Jensen McRae, Cara Delevingne and Rebecca Black are among the other artists performing across the three days.
The festival is adding comedy to its New York programming for the first time, with actor and comedian Meg Stalter joining Saturday’s lineup. Stalter follows Natali Jinju and precedes Jensen McRae on the day’s schedule.
Friday gets underway at 2:15 p.m. with Chloe Qisha, followed by Blu DeTiger and Cara Delevingne. Rebecca Black takes the stage at 5:05 p.m., with Lola Young at 6:50 p.m. before Zara Larsson closes the night from 8:45 to 10 p.m.
Saturday starts with Natali Jinju before Stalter, Jensen McRae and CMAT. Ethel Cain performs from 6:50 to 7:50 p.m., setting the stage for Brandi Carlile’s 8:35 p.m. closing set.
Sunday features Cherry Bomb, Grace Ives and Hemlocke Springs early in the day before The Beaches take the stage at 5:30 p.m. Carly Rae Jepsen follows at 7 p.m., with MUNA closing the festival from 8:45 to 10 p.m.
All Things Go has built a following around its carefully selected lineups and strong connection between artists and fans. That community has even inspired unofficial festival nicknames such as “Gay-chella,” “All Things Gay” and “Lesbopalooza.”
Lorde summed up the festival’s appeal during this year’s All Things Go Toronto edition, joking that she was collecting festival appearances like Pokémon before calling it the coolest festival in North America.
Lola Young, who returns to the festival this year, shared her own excitement about coming back: “All Things Go, we have unfinished business. I feel blessed and ready to take it to the next level. Thank you for having me back.”
The New York festival is part of an expanded 2026 All Things Go schedule that includes editions in DC and Toronto. The DC festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion features Hayley Williams, Mitski, Brandi Carlile and Slayyyter, while Toronto‘s June 6–7 edition at RBC Amphitheatre featured Lorde, Kesha, The Beaches and Wet Leg.
Three-day tickets for all three New York dates are sold out. A limited number of single-day tickets and two-day combinations remain available through the official All Things Go website.
All Things Go @ Forest Hills
Friday, September 25
Gates: 2 p.m.
- 2:15–2:45 p.m. — Chloe Qisha
- 3–3:30 p.m. — Blu DeTiger
- 4–4:35 p.m. — Cara Delevingne
- 5:05–6:05 p.m. — Rebecca Black
- 6:50–7:50 p.m. — Lola Young
- 8:45–10 p.m. — Zara Larsson
Saturday, September 26
Gates: 2 p.m.
- 2:15–2:45 p.m. — Natali Jinju
- 3 p.m. — Meg Stalter
- 4:05–4:50 p.m. — Jensen McRae
- 5:20–6:05 p.m. — CMAT
- 6:50–7:50 p.m. — Ethel Cain
- 8:35–10 p.m. — Brandi Carlile
Sunday, September 27
Gates: 2 p.m.
- 2:15–2:45 p.m. — Cherry Bomb
- 3–3:30 p.m. — Grace Ives
- 3:45–4:30 p.m. — Hemlocke Springs
- 5:30–6:15 p.m. — The Beaches
- 7–8 p.m. — Carly Rae Jepsen
- 8:45–10 p.m. — MUNA
Festivals
All Things Go Festival 2026 Reveals Set Times for DC Edition
All Things Go Festival has revealed the full set times for its 12th annual DC-area edition, giving fans a first look at how three days of packed programming will unfold across the Pavilion and Chrysalis stages.
Taking place September 25–27 at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the sold-out festival features a lineup led by Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, Zara Larsson, Mitski, MUNA, Lola Young, Remi Wolf and Ethel Cain. Other performers across the weekend include The Beaches, Slayyyter, underscores, Magdalena Bay, Wolf Alice, Tinashe, Sierra Ferrell and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
The festival has sold out for five straight years, a reflection of the community All Things Go has built around its mix of established artists, rising acts and a fan-first atmosphere. This year, comedian Robby Hoffman joins the music lineup, adding a different kind of performance to the weekend.
The Friday schedule starts with Stella Lefty at 3:50 p.m., followed by Balu Brigada, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Hoffman on the Pavilion Stage. Ethel Cain takes the stage at 7:15 p.m. before Mitski closes the night from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Over at Chrysalis, Slayyyter and Magdalena Bay round out the evening.
Saturday begins at 11:30 a.m. and builds toward a pair of major performances. MUNA plays from 6:45 to 8 p.m. before Hayley Williams closes the Pavilion Stage from 9:30 to 11 p.m. The Beaches have a lengthy 3:15–5:05 p.m. slot on Chrysalis, followed by Del Water Gap and Zara Larsson.
Sunday brings another stacked schedule, with Brandi Carlile closing the Pavilion Stage from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Earlier performances include Tiny Habits, Jensen McRae, CMAT, Wolf Alice, Tinashe, Remi Wolf and Sierra Ferrell. Lola Young takes the Chrysalis Stage at 8:15 p.m., following Father John Misty.
The community surrounding All Things Go has become part of the festival’s identity. Fans and artists have affectionately referred to the event as “Gay-chella,” “All Things Gay” and “Lesbopalooza,” reflecting the inclusive audience the festival has cultivated over the years.
That spirit was summed up by Lorde during this year’s All Things Go Toronto festival, where she joked that she was trying to attend every edition and called it the coolest festival in North America.
Lola Young, returning to the festival lineup, shared a similar sentiment: “All Things Go, we have unfinished business. I feel blessed and ready to take it to the next level. Thank you for having me back.”
The DC festival is part of a larger 2026 expansion for All Things Go. The New York edition at Forest Hills features Zara Larsson, Lola Young, Brandi Carlile, Ethel Cain, MUNA and Carly Rae Jepsen, among others. Toronto‘s June 6–7 edition at RBC Amphitheatre featured Lorde, Kesha, The Beaches and Wet Leg.
For fans still looking to attend the DC festival, the final single-day tickets, two-day combinations and three-day passes are available through the official All Things Go website.
All Things Go @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
Friday, September 25
Gates: 3 p.m.
Pavilion Stage
- 3:50–4:25 p.m. — Stella Lefty
- 4:35–5:05 p.m. — Balu Brigada
- 5:25–6:10 p.m. — Rainbow Kitten Surprise
- 6:15–6:45 p.m. — Robby Hoffman
- 7:15–8:20 p.m. — Ethel Cain
- 9:30–11 p.m. — Mitski
Chrysalis Stage
- 3:30–3:50 p.m. — SYML
- 4–4:20 p.m. — Rico Nasty
- 4:30–5 p.m. — underscores
- 5:10–5:45 p.m. — Ninajirachi
- 6:30–7:15 p.m. — Slayyyter
- 8:20–9:20 p.m. — Magdalena Bay
Saturday, September 26
Gates: 11 a.m.
Pavilion Stage
- 11:30–11:50 a.m. — Kevin Atwater
- 12–12:30 p.m. — Love Spells
- 12:50–1:20 p.m. — Grace Ives
- 1:40–2:10 p.m. — Hemlocke Springs
- 2:30–3:15 p.m. — Rebecca Black
- 3:35–4:25 p.m. — She & Him
- 5–6 p.m. — Suki Waterhouse
- 6:45–8 p.m. — MUNA
- 9:30–11 p.m. — Hayley Williams
Chrysalis Stage
- 11:30–11:50 a.m. — Glom
- 12–12:20 p.m. — Susannah Joffe
- 12:30–1 p.m. — Zolita
- 1:20–1:50 p.m. — Haute & Freddy
- 2:10–2:55 p.m. — Naika
- 3:15–5:05 p.m. — The Beaches
- 5:45–6:45 p.m. — Del Water Gap
- 8–9:15 p.m. — Zara Larsson
Sunday, September 27
Gates: 11 a.m.
Pavilion Stage
- 11:30–11:50 a.m. — Wes Parker
- 12–12:30 p.m. — Jake Minch
- 12:50–1:20 p.m. — Tiny Habits
- 1:40–2:10 p.m. — Jensen McRae
- 2:30–3:15 p.m. — CMAT
- 3:35–4:25 p.m. — Wolf Alice
- 5–5:25 p.m. — Tinashe
- 6:45–7:15 p.m. — Remi Wolf
- 7:35–8:15 p.m. — Sierra Ferrell
- 9:30–11 p.m. — Brandi Carlile
Chrysalis Stage
- 11:30–11:50 a.m. — googly eyes
- 12–12:20 p.m. — Natalie Jinju
- 12:30–1 p.m. — Trousdale
- 1:20–1:50 p.m. — Violet Grohl
- 2:10–2:55 p.m. — Rochelle Jordan
- 3:15–4 p.m. — Ryan Beatty
- 4:20–5:05 p.m. — Flipturn
- 5:45–6:45 p.m. — Father John Misty
- 8:15–9:15 p.m. — Lola Young
