On the first Sunday of Bluesfest, people of all ages gathered in LeBreton Flats Park to see Shania Twain close out the week. It truly was entertainment for the whole family as people donned Shania merchandise and cowboy boots to see the Canadian country-pop star.
Starting off the evening at the River Stage, folk trio Leverage for Mountains gave a captivating performance. Hailing from the Gatineau Hills, the group’s sound features heartwarming acoustic melodies and serene harmonies, evoking the feeling of being deep in a peaceful forest.
Standout songs like “Driveway” and “Riverstone” encapsulated the group’s wanderlust ethos with enchanting guitar strings and lyrics about travelling to a place unknown.
In the Barney Danson Theatre, singer-songwriter Alanna J Brown’s performance was also nothing short of ethereal. Her gentle voice lent itself to the emotionality of her lyrics, which explored love, death and self-discovery.
Alanna explained that much of her music is written while canoeing and portaging on different lakes in Ontario. Her song “The River” was what she called her “daydream” song, where she dreams about fully immersing herself in nature and never returning home.
Her Joni Mitchell-esque sound and sincerity invited listeners into her world, leaving them entranced.
Back outside at the LeBreton Stage, Darrell Nulisch picked up the pace and started the party for the evening.
With an afternoon thunderstorm and heavy rain having relieved some of the summer heat, attendees were energized and ready to have a good time.
The American blues artist, who was playing in the Barney Danson Theatre later on, got the crowd dancing with a collection of catchy Southern blues tunes. Alongside a skilled band of keys, drums and guitar players, Darrell added an extra layer of groove with his expert harmonica playing.
Having been nominated for two Grammy Awards while in the James Cotton Band, his experience playing and writing blues music spans back to the 1970s. His voice, which exudes soul, is one that you don’t forget after hearing.
At the main stage before Shania, multi-faceted performer Alan Doyle warmed up the crowd with his own East Coast flair. One half of Newfoundland folk duo Great Big Sea, Alan turned Bluesfest into a “kitchen party,” playing hits like “Dancing Like We Did Last Night.”
The high energy continued throughout the set, even with some slight technical difficulties with the big screens on either side of the stage. Mandolin and fiddle were the leading instruments on uptempo tracks like “1,2,3,4” and “The Night Pat Murphy Died.”
It was clear the East Coast was well represented, with some audience members holding up the Newfoundland flag as Alan performed.
He ended with one of Great Big Sea’s most popular songs, “Ordinary Day,” which got everyone jumping and singing along.
With the excitement high and the Canadian spirit palpable, Shania was the perfect finale to Sunday night.
The glamorous “Queen of Country Pop” lit the stage up, singing through her many hits such as “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and “I’m Gonna Getcha Good.”
Here’s to hoping for another great (and hopefully less humid) week of Bluesfest!
Find more information at https://ottawabluesfest.ca/
Great Big Sea was a band, not a folk duo, ranging from 4 to 6 members over their 20-year career.