I didn’t have a good feeling going into Bluesfest lineup day, and I come out of it with the same feeling. This may be the first Bluesfest in years where I don’t bother with an all-access pass. In fact, I was even eying up Osheaga in Montreal as an alternative.
What can I say other than the fact that there are just genres of music that I’m not partial to. In reading the Ottawa Citizen article about this year’s lineup, they said out of a survey last year of participants, 40% were under the age of 30 and had a strong interest in electronic music.
So this year’s lineup is chock-full of DJs, electronica, trip-hop…a far cry from the rock of the past few years and let’s not get into the age-old debate of whether it should be called ‘Blues’fest any longer.
From a management point of view, I admire that they had the balls to try something new like this…the past few years have been the same in terms of the lineup with some creeping into other musical genres to test the waters. This year it feels like they put all their cards on the table to see if it would work. I’m just not sure if it will…I may be completely wrong. For the 60% who are over 30 years old, or for the people who do not have an interest in electronic music, maybe they won’t bother going to all the shows, but their numbers will be replaced with the segment of the population who DOES care about this stuff and is thrilled with what Ottawa has to offer this summer!
When I look across the landscape of summer festivals, they are pretty much the same…in fact, I swear Feist has decreed that she will try and play every summer festival in North America this year! But Ottawa is the only one that stands out as different…
However, for this guy, it’s a little disappointing…there are still a few acts that I’m glad to see, but the only one I’m really EXCITED to see would be I Mother Earth.
Otherwise, here’s where I stand on a few acts:
Tiesto – A few colleagues are raving that he is showing up. It may be worthwhile to see what this DJ is all about.
Alice Cooper & Iron Maiden – May be worthwhile to me, but I wouldn’t be crying if I didn’t see either of them.
I Mother Earth – Awesome!
Nickelback – I’m actually pretty stoked to seem them in a summer festival considering I’ve seen them in the past in arena tours. Also, I missed out on seeing them in Montreal this past tour. All the haters, direct your snide comments elsewhere! They are as big as AC/DC!
Thievery Corporation – Interesting!
Big Wreck – Excellent! Their new album is killer as well.
Sam Roberts Band – ‘Nuff said
John Mellencamp – Going to skip this one for…
The Sheepdogs! – Caught the end of them last year and was digging it.
Our Lady Peace – Their new album is great.
Blue Rodeo – Beer in hand, this is a great band
Metric – New album out, exciting! Always a great show
The Trews – But unfortunately they are on at the same time as the Trews! Who to choose? I may go for the Trews
Ok, after writing this list, I have to admit that there are still quite a few acts that I will be pumped to see! Perhaps it will be a good thing that I don’t go all out on Bluesfest this year!
So…as it stands…disappointed with the lineup in general, interested to see a few acts, and also interested to see how this all plays out.