• Less Blues, More Rock in International Musical Showcase •

Cisco Systems Bluesfest 2002 - Ottawa

This year's Bluesfest featured such a diverse lineup that it can barely be referred to as a blues festival any more, a fact which the organizers admit. While the "Bluesfest" name remains, the lineup becomes increasingly diverse year after year as the festival opportunties in Ottawa remain fairly limited. Main stage headliners ran the gamut from blues-oriented - Colin Linden and Colin James - to roots or acoustic rock - Lucinda Williams, Melissa Etheridge - to straight-ahead rock and roll by the likes of big draws like The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo and Steve Earle. While the headliners share at least a common thread of some sort of basis in folk, roots or at least down-to-earth rock, the performers on the four other stages (Southern, Acoustic, Sacred and the Drill Hall after-hours club) served to reinforce the "blues" of the festival's title. Cisco Systems Bluesfest was honoured as the 2002 Event of The Year at Ottawa Tourism’s 8th Annual Tourism Awards Gala, and it for those in attendance the reason was obvious. A stellar lineup, central location and great weather all made for a fabulous festival. Although the long City Hall wall on the stage's right side made for somewhat cramped quarters, especially during the sold-out Tragically Hip show and created a somewhat tunnel-like acoustic environment, the sound adequately made it to those who could get in front of the stage. This task was made somewhat difficult by barriers along Laurier Avenue which restricted free access around the site and further squashed in front of the stage. A conflict between wandering and standing "rock-concert goers" and their more laid-back, lawn-chair weilding "festival-goers" gradually built during the week, leading the festival to ban chairs completely for the sold-out Tragically Hip show on Thursday July 11th. If even half the attendees had brought chairs, total chaos would have ensued so it was a wise move on the part of the organizers, even if it may have alienated a few paying customers. While the line-up on the main stage may have overshadowed the smaller stages, a wealth of talent was there for the finding on the event's sattelite stages: Gordie Johnson and Kelly Hoppe of Big Sugar, David Gogo and Garland Jeffreys on the acoustic stage; a variety of zydeco and other southern-tinged bands on the Southern Stage including Southern Culture on the Skids, Clarence Gatemouth Brown and Zydeco Loco. The Sacred Stage, located in a 124-year-old church across the street from the festival grounds, featured a variety of inspirational acts while Sherman Robertson and Kenny Blue Ray hosted an "after-hours" party starting at 11pm every night in the on-site Drill Hall. Not to be overlooked, local talent was included in the mix of international performers. Favourites such as Jim Bryson, Suzie Vinnick, Tony D (of course), Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo, Kathleen Edwards and more appeared on all the stages and adequately represented the diversity of talent available right here at home. While the site showed signs of not quite being able to handle the capacity crowds (like half-hour beer line-ups and overflowing trash receptacles) the event overall was a streamlined, enjoyable festival showcasing a great variety of blues, rock and folk acts from around the world. The event continues to be one of the premier events of its type not just locally but internationally.

Photos: Stephen Donnelly. Top: Ronnie Baker Brooks. Bottom: Blue Rodeo.

December 12, 2002 Update from the Bluesfest Web Site

"In a meeting on December 9, the Cisco Systems Bluesfest’s executive director, Mark Monahan, was informed by the National Capital Commission chairman, Marcel Beaudry, that Bluesfest would not be welcome in Confederation Park for their 2003 event. The tremendously successful Ottawa festival is now being forced to re-assess their popular downtown location due to the NCC’s decision. Reasons given include concerns for the condition of the grass and a dissatisfied Ottawa Jazz Festival. "I find it slightly ironic that in the wake of Bluesfest’s most successful year and following the largest and most positive economic impact we’ve had on our community, that we should be forced to deal with a decision made without public consultation and without recourse," says Mr. Monahan."

•Steve Donnelly Email WWW

Other Resources Related To This Feature More Bluesfest News

Artist: Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Melissa Etheridge...

Recent Features