The fifth night of Bluesfest was filled with contrast as musicians treated the audience to performances from various music genres. The crowd in attendance was as unique as the performances, but blended into a mosaic of music lovers as the night progressed.
With alternative rock, blues and EDM, day five of Bluesfest was a magical experience.
Lyle Odjick & The Northern Steam, a Canadian blues-rock band, set a high-energy tone to open the night on the Sirius XM stage. Odjick, the lead singer from the Algonquin reservation of Kitigan Zibi in Quebec, captivated audiences with his smoky voice. A harmonica echoed through the crowd as fans stomped and nodded their heads in unison.
Over on the RBC stage, alternative R&B singer Frase showed fans his ability to display beautiful and unique sounds. Throughout his set, he showed immense range as he transitioned from a slow, sit-down melody to a fast-paced EDM beat that left the audience captivated.
Meanwhile, Emma Armstrong ft. A Short Walk To Pluto serenaded the crowd at the River Stage with their eclectic take on rock. The Canadian rock band performed hits such as “Mary’s Paper Boat,” “Last Hero” and “The Flood.” The band’s stage presence was mesmerizing, and the chemistry between group members enhanced the experience. They looked like a bunch of friends simply enjoying each other’s company while creating music.
Canadian rock duo Crown Lands was next to perform on the River Stage. They immediately captured the audience’s attention as lead singer Cody Bowles appeared in a striking white jumpsuit similar to the one worn by Elvis Presley. The duo turned up their speakers and sang about colonialism using their music as an unique outlet for activism.
Grammy-nominated blues artist Jontavious Willis sat down with fans under the tent of the Sirius XM stage. As he switched between songs, the stage lights changed to match the mood of the music, adding another layer of detail. The crowd, although intimate, was enthralled with Willis’ distinctive modern take on blues music. He played hits such as “Low Down Ways,” “The Blues is Dead?” and “Resting on my Mind.”
Walking from the Sirius XM Stage tent to the RBC stage felt like a fever dream. The blues slowly faded in the distance, only to be replaced by hard EDM music played by SAINt JHN. The Guyanese-American rapper and singer hyped the audience with his top hit, “Roses.” SAINt JHN frequently interacted with the crowd throughout the performance, checking in, asking questions and even leading a prayer towards the end.
Two festival headliners took to the stage at the same time in the evening, with Marshmello on the RBC stage and Three Days Grace on the River Stage. This was a mistake on the part of festival organizers, as both artists had a large enough fanbase to perform separately. The crowds were ultimately split in two towards this part of the evening.
A full red buck moon blessed the sky in tune with the performances. People of all ages were dancing to the DJ’s electric melodies. Marshmello had the crowd jumping along to the beat, adding a physical sensation to the ordeal.
The Canadian rock band Three Days Grace ended the night with their fantastic performance on the River Stage. While playing their most recognized song, “I Hate Everything About You,” fans were seen flashing rock symbols with their hands bouncing to the beat of the music.
Featured image by L. Manuel Baechlin.
