Not even a flurry of tornado warnings could deter thousands of music lovers from attending RBC Ottawa Bluesfest’s sixth day of performances.
Artists including Mumford and Sons, Angelina Hunter Trio, Sudan Archives and Declan McKenna brought a rich variety of genres and beautiful lyricism to the July 13 music festival.
Early acts set a tone of exceptional artistry for the evening.
With especially keen attendees already double-fisting drinks, Ottawa’s Amos the Transparent was in good company, waking up the RBC Stage with impressive lyrical stories and group charisma.
The folk group’s tambourines and shakers had attendees swaying to songs such as “Change My Mind” and “Sure As the Weather.”
Meanwhile, at the SiriusXM stage, local rock talent, Angelina Hunter Trio, wooed audiences with a story about befriending a raccoon on a cottage songwriting retreat. The animal served as a muse for the banger “Crispy Bill,” which was played alongside the band’s lyrically moving “The Sun Never Sets.”
Youthful prowess powered the River Stage as Avery Raquel charmed attendees with her gliding R&B voice. Her 70s-funk infused setlist included songs such as “What You Are to Me,” “Please” and “My Heart Away.”
Senses of festival fashion were strong amongst the River crowd, as fans effortlessly resurrected 60s and 90s street looks. With the sun beginning to set, whiffs of cannabis moved through the light breeze.
At 9 p.m., R&B violinist Sudan Archives owned the SiriusXM stage with sensual sensationalism.
Using a quiver for her bow, the artist stunned attendees with her breathtaking violin precision and evocative lyrics. The age-diverse crowd quickly clapped and danced along to songs such as “Nont for Sale.”
During the lull preceding Mumford and Sons’ performance, security guards could be spotted playfully waltzing towards each other while festival attendees recharged with shawarma and lemonade.
Just after 9:30 p.m., the RBC Stage erupted in flames. Emerging from the fire–with smiles and instruments in tow–were stomp-and-holler superstars Mumford and Sons.
The English band greeted the cheering crowd in French before diving into discography staples “The Cave” and “Little Lion Man.” Yearning vocals and instrumental pastiches by the mandolin, guitars and keyboards encapsulated attendees, who danced and sang along.
“You’re fucking wicked, Ottawa,” lead singer Marcus Mumford praised before gifting attendees a spectacular remaining set.
Avalanches of glimmering sparks fell from the stage during Mumford and Sons’ melancholic rendition of “Lover of the Light.” The delicate momentum of “Holland Road” concluded with inspiring trumpeting and many audience members on one another’s shoulders.
As the night neared a close, a buzz arose as die-hard fans anticipated the folk group’s final song. One note of the famous “I Will Wait” transformed festival attendees into a united choir.
Mumford and Sons strung their final reverberated chords, and an explosion of dazzling white fireworks shot into the sky, mystifying the thousands in attendance.
Laughter, chatter and ABBA’s greatest hits filled the River Stage air before English indie star Declan McKenna took stage.
Though 24-year-old McKenna kept it short and sweet before beginning his set, fans cheered when he announced Bluesfest was his first Ottawa performance.
McKenna’s audience devoured fan favourites “Humongous” and “Why Do You Feel So Down,” as tension built for his greatest hit, “Brazil.”
Stage lights sweeping over the audience added liveliness to the atmosphere–but also illuminated the sea of moths and mosquitoes just over fans’ heads.
“I feel like one of these little critters is going to fly into my mouth,” McKenna exclaimed as he caught a breath between songs. “I’m vegan!”
The first few chords of his debut album’s most popular track drew dozens from the hills to the River Stage. “Brazil” struck a delicate balance between a beautiful melody and social commentary, and fans screamed their hearts out to the summer anthem.
One of the last acts of the night, McKenna’s electric performance, rife with English charm, sent his audience off on a high note.
In a twist, those lively performances continued well after fans left the Bluesfest grounds.
As crowds began their ventures home, street performers skillfully played their bagpipes and violins. Tipsy concert-goers attempted jigs together, and all embodied the “Awake My Soul” bridge: “In these bodies we will live. In these bodies we will die. Where you invest your love, you invest your life.”
Featured image by Kyra Vellinga. With files from Jordyn Preston and Katie Zwiers.
