Festivalgoers sporting cowboy hats and boots scattered across LeBreton Flats for Bluesfest Day 3. While many were there to see country headliner Luke Combs, attendees were also treated to many other memorable performances throughout the night.
Anders Drerup Band opened the day on the RBC Stage, playing a diverse repertoire of music including country songs “Two First Kisses,” then transitioning into smooth Latin-style music with songs such as “Dinero.” The audience clapped and sang along, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
Under the tent on the SiriusXM Stage, Kellie Loder delivered a captivating performance. Though they mostly stood in place while strumming their guitar, Loder’s poignant voice filled the tent as they sang the powerful lyrics of their hit single “Fearless.” Audience members swayed to the music, some with their eyes closed, letting Loder move them.
The 2022 Canada’s Got Talent runner-up continued to transport their audience with songs like “Molded Like a Monster” from their 2018 album Benefit of the Doubt. In between songs, a fan screamed, “I love you,” and Loder happily reciprocated the sentiment.
Following Loder’s performance, The Revivalists livened up the crowd with high-energy sounds. The band played hits “Criminal,” and “It Was a Sin,” stirring up a cheering crowd.
With his undeniable charm and star power, lead singer David Shaw owned the stage. Jumping and leaning towards the crowd, Shaw had fans screaming and bobbing their heads. He didn’t speak much, but Shaw kept the energy high until the end of his set.
As the day dimmed into the night, the Montreal-based band Group Project lit up the River Stage. Lead vocalist Jacob Brown poured himself into his performances, dancing and kneeling down. Brown acknowledged his family in the crowd, thanking them for their presence.
The group wooed the audience with songs that encompass the overwhelming emotions of young love such as “alma mater” and “Priest.”
“Thank you everybody,” Brown said at the end of his set. “What a beautiful audience.”
What followed was an exhilarating performance by afrobeat powerhouse Femi Kuti & The Positive Force. Bathed in blue lighting, Kuti electrified the River Stage by dancing and using vivid hand gestures. His contagious energy sent the crowd into a frenzy. Three dancers adorned with beads took the stage with Kuti, moving their waists to afrobeat music fused with punk and hip hop sounds.
Kuti performed his signature politically-themed songs like “Politics Na Big Business,” among others.
Toward the end of the night, an animated crowd welcomed country star Luke Combs onto the main stage. Combs started off with “1, 2 Many,” with fans singing along, some sitting on others’ shoulders.
Combs also took the time to personally connect with the audience. “Without you, there is no show,” he said.
He shared that he wrote his hit single, “She Got the Best of Me” in 2014, four years prior to recording it.
Before performing the song, Combs told the crowd his 24-year-old self would completely lose his mind if he saw himself on stage at that very moment.
With an entire week of the festival remaining, Combs gave fans a show to remember.
Featured image by Sean Sisk.
