On Day 2 of Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, the talk surrounded many men – Ben Harper, Jose Conde, Keys and Krates and The Roots(!), to name a few – while the festival played out, but only one after it was all said and done. Twenty-three-year-old electro-house and dubstep sensation Skrillex absolutely destroyed the crowd as the closing act on the headlining stage this night. The chatter in and around the capital since has been something like, ‘when’s Skrillex coming back to town? That dude was is sick, dope, wicked etc… An all-round good day and second night on festival grounds.

The introduction of Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest’s most impressive lineup to date, on a beautiful summer afternoon in Canada’s capital city, was met with unadulterated satisfaction. Whether looking for a local blues act to follow or an international powerhouse of a metal band to rock out with, or a folk duet to nod the head and bob the foot to, Bluesfest packed a little something for everyone on this, the festival’s 18th opening day.

Before The Flaming Lips even took to the stage with some retro swag, up-and-comers Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros lit up the headlining MBNA stage with an electic, electrifying and esoteric set that roused even those camped up three hours early to catch prime spots for the night’s main course. Lindsay Ferguson and Ras Lee, local folk hero and reggae legend, respectively, set the day off with animated performances that no doubt turned the head of one or two of those unknowning of their names, but impressed by the sound coming from the stages.

Though massive crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of Canadian rockers Tegan and Sara and, on a nearby stage, Parliament-Funkadelic alumn Bootsy Collins, there was no questioning who most on the grounds were out to see. After a near 15-year break-up, Soundgarden took to the MBNA stage and did not miss a beat. On this perfect opening night, neither did the festival.

Alexisonfire

Sarah Harmer

Arcade Fire

The Cat Empire

Moneen

It’s a really bad idea to hold Bluesfest at the same time as the World Cup (or is it the other way around?), so, unfortunately, I missed some quality acts like Timber Timbre and Charlie Winston. Still, the former gets around these parts a fair bit (and is a huge recommendation in my books), while I suspect Mr. Winston is going to be in heavy demand soon, due to the quality of his recent records.

The real focus for tonight though – amazing, really, given the presence of The Band founder Levon Helms’ current group, and the arrival of L.A funk kings Ozomatli – are the gods known as Rush.

It’s difficult to state just how important Rush are to the world of rock, and especially Canadian rock. They made music completely on their own terms in a time when demands by major labels could basically make or break a group’s career, and they remain a major touching point for rock fans everywhere due to this independent and quietly confident spirit, something a lot of fans have attributed to their Canadian upbringing. Let’s pat ourselves on the back a bit more, shall we? Anyway, none of this even begins to speak to the quality of musicianship and song composition that they’ve managed to produce over the past. Let’s put it this way: only The Beatles and The Rolling Stones have sold more records. Fact.

So last night’s show was understandably the province of the Canadian rock fan, replete with faded black Rush tour shirts from 1970-something, and a determination to sing the words of every song at top volume. I can’t compete with the energy levels of these super fans, and found a seat for myself and the lady back where green grass could still be found (this was far back, believe me, as 20,000 people came to claim territory hours before the show). Like everyone else, though, I was treated to a three hour dream set of gems like “Tom Sawyer”, “Working Them Angels”, “2012”, and “Closer To The Heart”. There was also material from their upcoming album, “Clockwork Angels”, but it was really the old stuff that floored me. The only bad part of the set was the weird video thing they showed at the end; it might have been tongue in cheek, but it seemed like a really lame fanboy attempt. Not something I ever expected from Rush, have to say.

But as that kid by the bus stop after the show was yelling to anyone that would listen – Neil Peart is my god! While I know Peart himself wouldn’t like that over inflated compliment too much, he is easily the best drummer I’ve ever heard. It’s actually impossible to imagine how someone could be better. To be honest, it would enough to just go watch him drum for 3 hrs.

A brilliant night, and easily the hit of the festival – may be the year – so far.

The Flaming Lips

Bear In Heaven (NYC)

Metric

Michael Jerome Browne

Carolyne Wonderland

A strong Courtney Love/ Hole experience was punctuated by frequent claims that “we were her only friends” and other Jim Morrison-esque lyricisms. A little bit odd, but ultimately the audience loved her for it – a double encore was also a nice touch. Love’s on-stage presence made Joan Jett & the Blackhearts look totally contrived.

England’s Babe Ruth was huge in Canada in the 70s – apparent by the flock of middle-aged, tie-dyed, men rocking air guitars – while Marc Cohn ran through a variety of covers. Strangely appealing.

Highlight of the night was 150 odd people gathered on the grass outside the Black Sheep comedy tent because they couldn’t get into the show, sitting on wet grass for 1.5 hrs just to hear Louis C.K.’s extremely crude brand of humour. Personally, I could’ve done without the belaboured delicious cock-sucking bit. Pretty gross.

-Cormac Rea