Festivals
Ottawa Bluesfest Drops 2024 Lineup with Mötley Crüe, Tyler Childers, Neil Young & More
Ottawa Bluesfest is back and celebrating big. The 2024 edition marks 30 years of the iconic summer festival, running July 4–14 at LeBreton Flats. Expect nine days of live music, sunshine, and a crowd of more than 250,000 fans.
We already knew Mötley Crüe and Tyler Childers were headlining, but now the full lineup is out and it’s stacked. Over 80 artists are set to play, covering just about every genre.
Pop fans are getting a mix of new and nostalgic, with sets from Maroon 5, Future Islands, and Ottawa’s own TALK. Neil Young & Crazy Horse headline the legacy crowd, while country lovers can catch Orville Peck, Charley Crockett, and Zac Brown Band.
Rock fans, your bases are covered with Nickelback, The Tea Party, and JJ Wilde. Hip-hop hits hard this year with legends NAS, 50 Cent, and Killer Mike.
Want to check out some rising names? Look out for Chelsea Cutler, Noah Cyrus, Ziggy Alberts, and Mt. Joy. And as always, the festival shines a light on local talent. This year includes City Fidelia, JW Jones, Summersets, Lynne Hanson, Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin, and plenty more.
A one-day presale for festival passes starts tomorrow at 10am. Single-day tickets go live March 2 at 10am.
More info on the festival’s website.
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts – Train
After almost 10 years away, Train made its highly anticipated return to Vancouver, taking the stage at the PNE as part of the Summer Nights series for an electric night of nostalgia, energy and some of the band’s biggest hits. Nearly 10,000 fans packed the venue to welcome the group back to the city.
With nearly 33 years of performing together, Train proved that its signature sound and undeniable stage presence remain as strong as ever. Currently on the Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere Tour, the band is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its iconic album with a set that served as both a celebration of its enduring catalogue and a reminder of why these songs have remained fan favourites for decades.
Opening with “Calling All Angels,” the band quickly launched into a crowd-pleasing run of classics, including “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Marry Me” and “Drive By.” Throughout the night, the set balanced humour and heart, with frontman Pat Monahan connecting with the crowd and reflecting the warmth and personality that have become synonymous with Train’s live performances.
The night ultimately came full circle with the song that started the 25th-anniversary celebration: “Drops of Jupiter.” As the familiar opening notes rang out across the PNE, nearly 10,000 voices joined in, creating a fitting finale to a night that celebrated not only one of Train’s most beloved albums, but an iconic career spanning more than three decades.
Check our our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
TRAIN
All Photo Credit : Jill Meagher
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts – Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies have spent decades perfecting the art of making a concert feel like the world’s biggest, weirdest, most Canadian house party.
Taking the stage on September 2, 2026, at the new Freedom Mobile Amphitheatre as part of the PNE Summer Night Concert series, the hometown legends brought their signature blend of goofy humour and radio hits to Vancouver for a night that felt a little like raiding the best parts of your childhood playlist.
With a catalogue spanning decades, there was no shortage of familiar favourites, with the band dipping into the hits that have made their way into everything from radio playlists to childhood memories. Songs like “The Old Apartment,” “If I Had $1,000,000,” and “Brian Wilson” remain just as catchy as ever, proving that some songs simply refuse to leave your brain.
The new venue made for a fitting home for the show, with the open-air atmosphere adding to the festival-like feeling of the evening. Between the music, the laughs, and plenty of singing along, Barenaked Ladies delivered exactly what you’d hope for from an end-of-season summer concert: good tunes, good laughs, and a whole lot of happy people singing “One Week” at 100% volume!
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
BARENAKED LADIES
All Photo Credit: Heather Horncastle