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
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Dallas Smith
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at PNE kept the excitement rolling on July 11, as football and live music once again proved to be a winning combination in Vancouver. With two FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on the schedule, thousands of fans packed the festival throughout the day before sticking around for another evening of Canadian music.
Earlier in the afternoon, England secured its place in the semi-finals with a victory over Norway, setting the stage for an even bigger showdown later in the day. That match delivered plenty of drama, as Argentina defeated Switzerland to book a semi-final meeting with England. The final whistle sparked loud celebrations around the festival grounds, with Argentine supporters waving flags, chanting, and soaking in the moment before the evening concerts began.
As the football excitement settled, attention shifted to the Amphitheatre Stage, where Dallas Smith closed out the day’s musical lineup. One of Canada’s biggest country stars, Smith had no trouble keeping the energy high after an emotional afternoon of football. Fans packed tightly around the stage, singing along from the opening song and matching his enthusiasm throughout the set. Smith’s mix of country hits and rock-influenced sound made for a perfect festival performance.
The day also featured performances from DJ Sherry Freeze, The Matinee, The Heels, and Blue Moon Marquee, giving visitors plenty to enjoy between the two quarterfinal matches.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
DALLAS SMITH
ARGENTINA FANS
All Photo Credit:
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Walk Off The Earth, Fionn, Felix Cartal, and France Fans
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE kept the World Cup excitement rolling on Saturday, July 4, as fans gathered for another full day of football, live music, and celebrations. With two Round of 16 matches on the giant screens and a lineup of Canadian artists filling the Amphitheatre Stage, the atmosphere remained lively from morning through the evening.
The day had already delivered plenty of drama before the concerts began. Morocco had stunned host nation Canada earlier in the day to book a place in the quarter-finals, ending Canada’s historic World Cup run after its first-ever appearance in the Round of 16. A few hours later, France defeated Paraguay to secure the final quarter-final spot, setting up a meeting with Morocco in one of the tournament’s most intriguing matchups. As the final whistle blew, fans quickly shifted their attention from the football to the music just a few steps away.
Vancouver-based band Fionn, consisting of twins Alanna and Brianne Finn-Morris, was first on stage, offering an engaging performance that fit the late afternoon perfectly. Their warm vocals and heartfelt indie-pop songs gave the crowd a chance to catch their breath after another emotional day of World Cup action. Many fans who had spent hours watching the matches stayed put, creating an attentive audience that truly enjoyed the show.
Right after, Walk Off The Earth took over and instantly changed the pace. The Ontario group has built its reputation on creative arrangements and infectious energy, and they delivered exactly that. Their performance blended pop, rock, folk, and plenty of crowd interaction, turning the Amphitheatre into a giant singalong. The band’s playful chemistry and multi-instrumental approach kept fans engaged from start to finish, with many dancing along and singing every word.
At the Park Stage, Vancouver-born DJ and producer Felix Cartal took over. A familiar face on festival lineups across the country, Cartal delivered a polished electronic set that kept fans dancing until the festival closed. His mix of melodic house, upbeat remixes, and crowd-pleasing drops provided the perfect soundtrack to cap off a day that had already been packed with football drama and live music.
The FIFA Fan Festival has consistently shown that it offers far more than football. Saturday’s schedule paired knockout-stage drama with live performances that gave supporters another reason to stay long after the matches had ended. Even with Canada’s elimination still fresh in many minds, the festival remained a welcoming place to celebrate the global game, discover Canadian talent, and enjoy a summer evening surrounded by thousands of fellow fans. With the quarter-finals now set, anticipation continued to build for another unforgettable week at Vancouver’s Fan Festival.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
WALK OFF THE EARTH
FIONN
FELIX CARTAL
FRANCE FANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer