For many of us diehards, we awoke this morning to a gift in our inboxes: an email detailing this year’s musical performances at Bluesfest. Facebook and Twitter were already crowded with posts of excitement (or in some cases, disappointment) and what made the announcement particularly special was the fact that 2014 marks the festival’s 20th year in operation — an achievement worthy of a huge celebration.
Mark Monahan, executive director of RBC Bluesfest delivered the news this morning to a group of media, expressing excitement for the event’s milestone. Even more impressive is the fact that it’s also been rated as one of the top 10 successful outdoor music concerts across the globe and it’s definitely help put Ottawa on the map.
In keeping with the diverse spirit of Bluesfest, the 2014 lineup is an eclectic mix of musical acts from pop sensation Lady Gaga, The Killers and classic bands including Foreigner and STYX, to 90s bands like Moist, Third Eye Blind and Collective Soul — there really is something for everyone of every age. Of course Canadian favourites like Tegan and Sara, Barenaked Ladies and the Sam Roberts Band are also set to perform. Below is a complete listing of the lineup by day:
Thursday, July 3:
Blake Shelton, RL Grime, Tegan and Sara, Adventure Club, Gary Clark Jr., Danny Brown
Friday, July 4:
Journey, Zedd, Darius Rucker, Bonobo, Jeff Tweedy, Honey Island Swamp Band
Saturday, July 5:
Lady Gaga, Matt Andersen, JJ Grey and Mofro, Vintage Trouble, Andrew Bird, Black Joe Lewis, Deer Tick, Langhorne Slim
Sunday, July 6:
Lady Antebellum, Violent Femmes, St. Vincent, Drive By Truckers, Mac Demarco, Shovels & Rope, Lucius, Pokey Lafarge, Shantel
Monday, July 7: OFF DAY
Tuesday, July 8:
Queens of the Stone Age, Foreigner, STYX, Jake Bugg, Jenny Lewis, Tokyo Police Club, Gareth Emery
Wednesday, July 9:
The Killers, Cypress Hill, Tyler, the Creator, Bombino, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Phantogram, Royal Canoe
Thursday, July 10:
The Band Perry, Young the Giant, Blondie, John Mayall, Gogol Bordello, Procol Harum and the NAC Symphony Orchestra, Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam
Friday, July 11:
Barenaked Ladies, Third Eye Blind, July Talk, Ryan Hemsworth, BADBADNOTGOOD
Saturday, July 12:
Snoop Dogg/Snoop Lion, AWOLNATION, Deltron 3030, Childish Gambino, Action Bronson, Dr. Hook feat. Ray Sawyer, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, The Mavericks
Sunday, July 13:
Collective Soul, Moist, Sam Roberts Band, USS, Lord Huron, Pink Mountaintops, Charli XCX
*The full lineup will be posted some time in April.
Adult full-festival passes are $199 (regular $249) and $99 for youth (regular $199). There’s also an option to pick any three festival days for $99. General on sale tickets begin this Saturday. For additional information and to purchase Early Bird tickets, visit: ottawabluesfest.ca.