Bluesfest Day 4 review: The Lumineers close out a genre-spanning Sunday to a jam-packed audience

Perfect summer weather settled over LeBreton Flats as blue skies gave way to a golden-hour glow and cotton-candy sunset on the fourth day of Bluesfest, where the Lumineers and bbno$ would play to the most packed crowd of the festival so far. 

Warm temperatures welcomed thousands of attendees who steadily streamed onto the grounds throughout the early evening. 

By nightfall, the festival’s first Sunday had drawn an audience that filled every inch of venue grounds, with families, friends and music lovers of all ages filling the festival for an eclectic lineup spanning indie folk, electro-pop, country blues and hip-hop before the Lumineers closed out the night. 

By the time the Grammy-nominated band took to the RBC Stage, the jam-packed crowd stretched across the grounds. The throng of people erupted in cheers as the group – returning to Ottawa for the first time in six years – walked onstage. 

“I think it’s safe to say this is the most people we’ve played to in Ottawa,” lead singer Wesley Schultz told the audience. 

“Thank you for coming out, this is unbelievable.”

The Colorado band’s set balanced sing-alongs with slower, intimate tunes, weaving together fan favourites like “Ho Hey,” “Ophelia,” “Stubborn Love” and “Angela”, alongside newer material from their 2025 album Automatic. 

During “BRIGHTSIDE,” Schultz climbed off the stage and walked through the crowd, disappearing into a sea of outstretched hands as fans sang every lyric back to him, the performance carrying an inviting, feel-good energy. 

While upbeat anthems had the crowd dancing shoulder-to-shoulder illuminated by warm gold and white stage lights, quieter songs like “Dead Sea” smoothly transformed the energy in the massive audience, with many swaying to the chorus against deep blue and purple projections. 

In the middle of their set, bursts of confetti drifted through the night sky, creating a glittering backdrop as friends and family embraced, couples danced and strangers sang together. 

Headlining and closing out on the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Stage, Vancouver-born rapper bbno$ delivered one of the festival’s most playful and energetic performances. 

Before he took the stage, DJ Tiiiiiiiiiip warmed up the crowd with a presentation titled “Ottawano$: How to Have the Most Fun at the bbno$ Concert.” 

While playing pop hits, the DJ handed out Ah Caramel!’s and Twinkies to the loudest sections of the audience while flipping through slides filled with Gen Z internet humour, Ottawa references and a mock guide to concert etiquette to set the tone for the night. 

bbno$ made his entrance following a video intro that blended early-2000s internet nostalgia with memes and social media clips, including videos poking fun at the rapper himself. When he eventually galloped onto the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers as pop-rap and hip-hop tracks filled the air. 

Earlier in the evening, Ottawa-based duo summersets opened the RBC Stage with an understated but heartfelt performance. Band members Kalle Metteson and Andrew Sawka showcased songs from their Canadian Folk Music award-nominated debut album, Small Town Story, and tracks from their upcoming record, Pine Trees in a Perfect Row. 

Dressed casually in flannel shirts and jeans, the group leaned into warm acoustic melodies that welcomed audience members settling in for the monumental night.

Their performance also highlighted some of the festival’s local Ottawa connections. Matteson is a Carleton University alumnus and songwriting instructor, while drummer Jaime Holmes teaches drum performance at Carleton, making the set feel especially fitting for a festival in their hometown. 

Back at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Stage, Mehdi Cayenne delivered one of the night’s most unconventional performances. 

Backed only by a drummer, the Francophone electro-pop artist commanded the stage through constant movement, expressive facial expressions and infectious confidence. He danced, kicked his legs into the air and rarely stood still, bringing eclectic energy that contrasted sharply with the folk performances elsewhere on the grounds.

Meanwhile, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band transformed the LeBreton Stage into a lively celebration of country blues. Peyton’s guitar playing and vocals were joined by his wife, “Washboard” Breezy Peyton, whose cheetah-print dress and energetic washboard performance became a show of their own, while drummer Jakob “The Snakob” Powell drove the band’s foot-stomping rhythms.

During “Clap Your Hands,” Reverend Peyton encouraged the audience to clap, stomp and shout along. The crowd did not disappoint, creating the atmosphere of an old-fashioned country dance hall where strangers became a part of the same performance.

Meanwhile, Toronto rapper DijahSB showcased yet another shift in style at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Stage.

Their relaxed, conversational stage presence made the performance feel personal as they frequently chatted with the audience between songs and encouraged constant participation. Even water breaks became a part of their show as their DJ played the Jeopardy! theme song, earning laughs from the crowd. 

Fans closest to the barricade bounced throughout the set as DijahSB performed streaming favourites, including “… EXCEPTIONAL” and “Go Mode,” blending hip-hop with electronic production and proving the night’s lineup could seamlessly move between genres.  

At the end of the night, Sunday’s lineup showcased the festival’s versatility in full. The audience moved effortlessly from acoustic folk to electro-pop, country blues and rap before gathering for one final celebration with the Lumineers. 

The result? A night where one of Bluesfest’s biggest crowds joined in musical community to sing together under a summer sky.

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Featured photo by Greg Kolz via Bluesfest.