Photo Credit: Mark Horton
We’re coming to you today from Canada where we’re just days away from heading to Ottawa for their annual Bluesfest. The event officially kicked off yesterday and runs until July 19th (and you thought the Australian Bluefest was massive!). Ahead of the event, we caught up with Mark Monahan, executive and artistic director of the RBC Bluesfest, who shares his festival picks, gives us some insight into the event, and talks about the event’s relationship with Byron Bay’s own…
What are the must see performances at this year’s event?
You can watch me talk about the daily festival highlights here: http://www.ottawabluesfest.ca/lineup/directors-picks/
What will set this year’s event apart from past years?
There is no one thing that differentiates this year from last year. We are always trying to improve on a formula for success that has been evolving over the years. This year’s event is another step forward in the process.
What sets Ottawa Bluesfest apart from other events around the world?
Great urban setting, with huge support for the community in the form of hundreds of thousands of music fans from the region and beyond, each year; close to 4,000 community volunteers; and substantial private- and public-sector support.
Another unique aspect is the fact that the RBC Bluesfest is a large-scale, world-class music event that is run by a not-for-profit, registered charity. The proceeds from the festival go toward funding music education programs for thousands of school-aged kids in our community and beyond.
For a first timer to the event, such as myself, how would you recommend I approach the event?
Make it to as many side stages as possible and take in as many acts you’ve never heard of as possible – you’ll be impressed by the depth of new and emerging talent out there. Come early and stay late. As this is an 11-day event, plan accordingly in terms of clothing, sunscreen etc… stay hydrated and pace yourself.
For tourists, the festival allows for taking in as many sights in the nation’s capital as possible during weekdays, since weekday programming begins in the early evening(s). Weekends are a great time to spread out your enjoyment throughout the day, with a wide variety of international food stalls and some great Canadian beer!
You work loosely with Australia’s own Bluesfest and Peter Noble – what has impressed you most about our Byron Bay event over the years?
Peter and his team at the Byron Bay Bluesfest, have a similiar approach to programming as we do; multiple genres with iconic representation of these various styles of music from renown musicians, past, present, and emerging. Both festivals also boast very dedicated and knowledgeable fan-bases . . .
Any Canadians you think Peter should book for 2016?
City in Colour (featuring Dallas Green – former front man for Alexisonfire), MonkeyJunk, The Tragically Hip, and Blue Rodeo have always been huge crowd favourites with our audiences in Ottawa and have been well-received around the world. I think music fans in Australia would be pleased to see them visit…
Are there any Australians that you have booked in past years on the advice of Peter and/or the response that you’ve heard about from the Australian event?
Cat Empire was a big hit with Ottawa Music fans – they’ve performed twice at the ‘fest, drawing rave reviews. Keith Urban is another act that has performed at Bluesfest in the past, as have John Butler and Mama Kin – this year we’ve added several more to the mix, including Hamish Anderson, Hat Fitz & Cara, Sticky Fingers, among others…
——————
The RBC Ottawa Bluesfest is happening right now! It runs until July 19th in Ottawa, Canada. For tickets and more details, head to: http://www.ottawabluesfest.ca/. And stay tuned to the AU review for exclusive live coverage from July 12th!
