RBC Bluesfest – July 9, 2016
Photo by Kamara Morozuk
There is no greater compliment to an artist than to have fans stand in the rain for hours, patiently awaiting their presence (close seconds of course are cringe-worthy tattoos and bedroom shrines). From the opening of the gates to the final note of The Lumineers, it was a rainy day (again) at RBC Bluesfest; nevertheless, thousands of fans spent their evening like ducks, soaked by the constant sprinkle of rain and somehow unfazed by the drenching weather above, excitedly awaiting the night’s headliners.
Fortunately, the show must go on, and the performers from Day 3 of Bluesfest braved through the bleak conditions, performing as if there was not a cloud in the sky. Check out some of the highlights featuring the work from Ottawa photographer Kamara Morozuk, and follow her on Instagram for more updates and photos.
Photo by Kamara Morozuk
For more information on the festival, head to the official Bluesfest website.
If you don’t know Yusso, now you do so. Ottawa rapper Yusso made his main stage debut at RBC Bluesfest Saturday evening to a modest but loyal crowd. Although slow out of the gates, Yusso quickly shook off any signs of nervousness, finding his footing as an energizing MC. Proudly representing his 613 area code, the up and coming star brought out a few of his friends to share the stage, bringing them along for the ride. With massive main stage behind him, Yusso’s confidence and excitement on stage combined with the devoted audience below turned his performance into what felt like an intimate house party right in the middle of Lebreton Flats.
Although only 22, Tor Miller’s pop sound is reminiscent of the days of Billy Joel and Elton John; the combination of his rich vocals and dynamic piano melodies fits into the timeless singer-songwriter genre of his piano rocking predecessors. Mixing in his own charming style and stunning vocals, Tor Miller’s performance highlighted the young musician’s powerful and dynamic songwriting ability and delivery. I’m sure it won’t be long before Miller becomes a household name.
By the time The Lumineers took the stage at Bluesfest, the rain had picked up significantly, but that had no effect on the Denver-based band’s spirit. If fact, it only added to their organic charm and earthy folk music. They played through the chilly evening, performing hit after hit right up until the curfew of 11pm. The Lumineers’ latest album Cleopatra was released back in April, giving fans plenty of time to learn all the words to the new songs, as the band played through almost the entire track listing, aside from a few singles from their debut blended into the mix.
Showing their appreciation for the fans who stuck it out in the rain, The Lumineers joined them from a small stage in the middle of the crowd, barely batting an eye at the heavy drizzle soaking them as they performed a few songs in the open. As a special treat to the Ottawa crowd, lead singer Wesley Schultz shared an unreleased, extended version of the single “Long Way From Home”, a song he wrote for his late father. His emotional and heartfelt solo lead into a full band performance of “Stubborn Love” to end a phenomenal evening.
