Festival Guide: RBC Bluesfest 2016 – July 14

With the final days of the festival in sight, Thursday night is set to be a wild one, making sure to welcome the last weekend with a bang. From the welcomed return of Toronto punk band PUP, to the hip-hop of Toronto MC Jazz Cartier, Day 6 of RBC Bluesfest has one of the best lineups of the festival, and you will certainly not want to miss a moment of it.

Read through the trusty Festival Guide below and discover the best picks of the night. For more information on the festival and for tickets, head to the official Bluesfest website.

PUP

Monster Energy Stage: 6:00 – 7:00

Hands down one of the best punk bands this side of the border, PUP are not only our #1 Top Must-See Non-Headline Performance, but also one of the most anticipated shows of the festival. After the whirlwind of success from their 2014 debut album, PUP went on to play 250 shows in less than two years, perfecting their craft and showing the world they were made to perform. Their sophomore release The Dream Is Over put the Toronto four-piece back at the top of the indie music world, and their appearance Thursday night will be nothing short of explosive.

The Monkees

City Stage: 7:00 – 8:00

Formed back in the ’60s as a pseudo-spin off of the Beatles, The Monkees have since become an essential part of American pop music history. Although fourth member Davy Jones passed away in 2012, the three surviving members hit the studio for a 2015 reunion album, and now Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork are touring as The Monkees to bring back their retro-pop and re-live some of the memories formed along the way.

Rebelle

Monster Energy stage: 7:30 – 8:30

Ottawa/Wakefield electro-rock band Rebelle have been making a name for themselves since their debut performance at the age of 13. In the time since, the young musicians have played CityFolk, Bluesfest, and won the Live 88.5 Big Money Shot. Their electrifying sound and buzzing energy are the charge needed for their impressive indie sound.

Lindsey Stirling

Claridge Stage: 8:00 – 9:15

Discovered for her dynamic appearance on America’s Got Talent, violinist/dancer Lindsey Stirling has become a leading name in the crossover of classical and dubstep. Adding the dramatics of a string arrangement into in a genre that is wildly energetic and adrenaline-pumping, Stirling’s music is a magnificent adventure that is unique, and a must-see at this year’s festival.

AWOLNATION

Monster Energy Stage: 9:00 – 10:15

AWOLNATION helped redefine alternative rock returned with their aggressive blend of electronic influences and hard hitting, heavy rock. With a number of hits under their belt, including the smash hit “Sail”, AWOLNATION are bringing their overcharged sound to Ottawa, and as a band signed to Red Bull Records, it will definitely be an energizing performance.

Jazz Cartier

Black Sheep Stage – 9:30 – 10:45

One of Canada’s finest rap artists, Jazz Cartier has remained under the mainstream radar, performing around Toronto’s underground venue circuit, but still remaining a relevant name in the Canadian hip-hop scene. His recent album Hotel Paranoia was an explosive example of Jazz Cartier’s raw talent; as Toronto continues to make headlines in rap, Jazz Cartier is right there to ride the waves of success. Pounding trap-style production lines the edges of his sound, as the rapper’s untouchable flow is right there alongside big name artists like Drake, Future, and Joey Bada$$. And all by the age of 22.