The first night of Bluesfest brought in droves of attendees eager for the festival’s long-awaited return. A warm evening with sparse clouds covering the harsh glare of the sun made for perfect performance weather.
With the sun beginning to drop behind the horizon, Canadian singer Alessia Cara emerged on the RBC Stage to greet a swarm of cheering fans. The golden glow matched the nostalgic energy of her music.
Cara’s set included songs from her new album Seasons Change, as well as her famous hit, “Here.” She had an undeniably bubbly stage presence, encouraging fans to sing along, clap, jump and wave their hands. Cara even paused halfway through her show to take an Instagram photo with the crowd, eliciting cheers and dancing.
She kept viewers engaged with many personal anecdotes, as well as a short skit in which she received a call on a pink rotary telephone from a friend who was having trouble with a guy who would not text her back.
Following songs like “Find My Boy,” “Bluebird,” “You Let Me Down” and an audience sing-along cover of “Sweater Weather,” Cara expressed her genuine happiness to be performing in front of a live audience following the height of the pandemic.
She shared a sincere, personal narrative of spending New Year’s Eve crying in her bathroom over the despair of not knowing what to celebrate when “everything ahead [was] bad.” She advised fans that “it does get better” and that they should have patience while waiting for better times to come. This was received with passionate cheers.
Cara then played her song, “Best Days,” written about her anguish in the thick of rough times.
Cara’s performance finished with pink clouds hanging in the sky and an eager audience singing and dancing along to “How Far I’ll Go” from the Disney film Moana, and Cara’s finale of “Stay.”
At the end of Cara’s set, many fans dispersed towards the River Stage to see Ocean Valley’s performance. The Accora Village Big Chill & Spin Stage was also bustling with attendees looking to get a drink, chat and dance to the tunes of the on-site DJ.
As the sky grew dark before Sarah McLachlan’s performance at the RBC Stage, many fans crowded together in front of the pit, and viewers in collapsible chairs set up behind them. The bright half-moon peeking through the remaining clouds added to the tension as eager fans waited for the Canadian icon to take the stage.
McLachlan emerged onstage to the deafening sound of fans cheering and clapping. After some humorous personal anecdotes about young friendship, she sang “Adia,” which was well received by the crowd.
Later in the night, she shared that she was finding it hard to watch the news and hear about what was going on “down south,” but explained that she continues to be hopeful and that experiences like Bluesfest are “good medicine.” McLachlan followed this speech by playing “World on Fire.”
She also made special mention of one of her favourite songs, “Beautiful Girl.” Her performance of the song featured a solo from her guitarist who has been making music alongside her for 30 years.
McLachlan’s soothing voice and calming stage presence was the perfect way to end the night. The soulful and uplifting performances on the first night of Bluesfest certainly left a lasting impression, leaving audience members excited for what the rest of the festival has in store.
Featured image by Matteo Golin.
