The second week of Ottawa Bluesfest kicked off with a lineup featuring English rock and roll legends Def Leppard. It was a scene straight out of the 1980’s at LeBreton Flats park, with the masses dressed in animal print and distressed band tee shirts eager to see the glam rockers.
Even before the headliners took the RBC stage, the festival grounds were buzzing with excitement for the acts earlier in the night. At the LeBreton stage, local band Funk Yo Self set the tone with their lively set. With a name that really speaks for itself, the band’s music is a combination of jazz, reggae and psychedelic funk.
Hailing from the north of the Ottawa River, the band clearly knew how to entertain, playing a variety of high energy songs. The group leaned into the playful side of things too; the saxophone player sported a silk robe with neon green glasses, while one of the guitar players donned a captain’s hat for their performance.
At the end of their set, the group thanked the crowd that had accumulated and encouraged them to purchase their merchandise, as the funds would be used to help them make their first original album.
Inside the Barney Danson theatre, the mood was a little more introspective with duo Beau Nectar. Singer-songwriters Marie-Clo and éemi, who are Franco-Algonquin and Fransaskoise respectively, make up the group.Their lyrics are grounded in concepts of nature and the flora and fauna of life, which is paired with dreamy synths and indie folk instrumentals.
The bilingual duo’s aim in their music is to engage with eco-feminist ideas, and evoke an all around empathy for the environment. With songs like “Buds,” “Apple” and “Soleil des loups,” their poignant words and atmospheric sound give a fresh take on dream pop.
Marie-Clo and éemi’s friendship and bond was apparent as they performed, sharing jokes and banter in between songs.
Before they debuted a new song that they said would be out on August 15, they declared that “Ottawa is Hottawa,” in reference to the persistent heat outside.
The heat however, did not stop people from crowding around the LaBreton Stage to watch blues artist D.K Harrell. Born and raised in Louisiana, the southern blues and soul singer has already accomplished a great deal in his career at only 27 years old. In 2022, he was awarded the B.B. King Of The Blues Award for Preserving Traditional Blues Heritage from the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation.
Inspired by blues greats like Muddy Waters, Elmore James and of course B.B King, D.K has been able to tap into a new era of blues music while still paying homage to classic blues sound.
In addition to his powerful voice, his guitar fingerwork is extremely impressive, often bending strings to add layers to his playing. D.K was accompanied by his bass player, trumpet player, saxophonist and drum player, who’s drum fills were also noteworthy.
Playing songs from his latest album Talkin’ Heavy as well as his first album The Right Man, D.K had the audience hooked from the opening riff to the closing note.
Before D.K moved to the Barney Danson theatre for his nightime performance, it was time for Montreal group Le Winston. The group draws influence from Cajun and Zydeco music, mixed with traditional Francophone roots sound. Led by the diatonic accordion, the group brings an eclectic sound to the French music scene. Their entertaining and humorous songs like “Kia volée” and “Le Winston Express” seemed to get a good reaction from the audience.
Before Def Leppard rocked the main stage, activist and Grammy award-winning artist Tom Morrello brought his unbeatable guitar skills and important political messages to Ottawa.
Tom’s solo music involves strong political calls to action, specifically regarding unions and economic inequality in the United States.
A founding member of anti-establishment rock group Rage Against The Machine, Tom opened his set with “Soldier in the Army of Love,” a song about resistance and fighting for a world with more acceptance.
He was joined by his son Roman Morrello for most of the performance, who showed that the talent runs in the family- even playing his guitar behind his head at one point.
They played through a variety of Tom’s solo songs and Rage Against The Machine songs, including “Hold the Line,” (which Tom dedicated to the “union brothers and sisters in the audience”) and “One Man Revolution.”
The big screens displayed images depicting protests and community mobilization, which emphasized the pertinent topics he was singing about. Ending with a rock version of John Lennon’s “Power to the People,” Tom’s performance reminded everyone that rock and roll music is, and always will be, political.
For more information visit https://ottawabluesfest.ca/.
