Eric’s Bluesfest 2013 Recap

Eric Scharf
by Eric Scharf
07/25/2013
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Bluesfest 2013 is now just a memory, but I thought it would be fun to put together a bunch of top 5 lists about the fest.  I had an absolute blast this year and am already very excited for next year, which will be the 20th anniversary. So here you go a bunch of lists… and who doesn’t love lists?

The Specials performing at the RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa on Monday, July 8th, 2013 ~ RBC Bluesfest Press Images PHOTO/Mark Horton
The Specials performing at the RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa on Monday, July 8th, 2013 ~ RBC Bluesfest Press Images PHOTO/Mark Horton

Top 5 performances (click on the band for a link to the review)

  1. The Specials
  2. The Waterboys
  3. Neko Case
  4. Frank Turner
  5. Killer Mike

Top 5 moments (personal events, not directly related to a band’s performance)

  1. Seeing Wu-Tang Clan live with my little brother, Philip, who sang every single word.
  2. Assisting in popping my friend Tanya’s proverbial Bluesfest cherry on July 7th.
  3. Running into my friend’s mom, Joan, on a daily basis and talking about all the awesome bands we had seen.
  4. Spending the first weekend of the festivals with my guests, Marianne and Russel, who came all the way from Abitibi-Témiscamingue for the Bluesfest.
  5. Talking with the bass player for Flogging Molly and then having him remove a bug from my sleeve and drown it with beer.
Blues royalty, B.B. King rocked Bluesfest. Yes there was blues at the festival. PHOTO: Joseph Mathieu
Blues royalty, B.B. King rocked Bluesfest. Yes, there was blues at the festival. PHOTO: Joseph Mathieu

Top 5 things I would change about Bluesfest

  1. Making rules on lawn chairs. Enforcing a time ban (all chairs folded after 7 pm) or making a section in the back near the sound tent a designated chair area.  These chairs suck, and ruin the experience for everyone who is not sitting in them. If I truly had my way I would ban them from the festival completely.
  2. Hire local venue sound guys.  Once again there were several days of hit or miss sound at Bluesfest.  I would love to see local sound people from bars and clubs hired instead of a sound company that works for the NAC and events.  The locals, like the guy at Babylon, has experience doing all kinds of various styles in the same night, which by the sound of it is too much for Wall of Sound to handle.
  3. More water stations.  The two stations with free water were amazing, but it would be great to have one at every stage just like there are porta-potties.
  4. Keep the electronic acts to the side stages. Sure Dog Blood is fun and all… but he almost completely drowned out Los Lobos (a much better act in my mind) on the River Stage.  It’s insulting to the acts and the fans when all you can hear are the beats from someone’s laptop.  I know I sound like an old crusty (I am not) but why even have Los Lobos playing at this point?  Fix the sound balance or stop putting overly loud EDM on the main stage.
  5. Adding a couple of misting stations.  Most big summer festivals in North America have these.  It allows people to cool off and also is a great place to meet like-minded people while refreshing.  This also encourages people to stay at the festival or show up earlier.
A mist tent used at various Warped Tour locations.
A mist tent used at various Warped Tour locations.

Top 5 things I really liked about Bluesfest

  1. Outdoor urinals.  Sorry ladies go get yourselves a wiz-it.  It is excellent to not have to go lock yourself in an overheated plastic shit-scented dungeon.  I was peeing with a breeze at my back, it was great.
  2. Excellent variety of food at a reasonable price for a festival.  My shout outs go to Friday’s for their Organic Bluesfest Burger, which had caramelized onions and bacon on it, azs well as Casey’s for their always awesome Tornado Potato.
  3. Free sunscreen from the first aid tent. This is an amazing idea considering there is almost zero shade. They should probably advertise it a little more.
  4. Six dollar beers are very reasonable for a festival, as well as offering three kinds (granted all from Mill Street).
  5. The fact that a few local acts got to play the main stage.  I think it is wonderful of the organizers to give local acts a shot on the Bell Stage.  Give them a taste of the big time.  It must be quite the thrill compared to playing the 50-200 person venues most of them are use to.

Best covers performed during Bluesfest (Because I freaking love covers!)

  1. Mother Mother – Pixies: Cactus/Gauge Away, and then later in the set Nirvana: In Bloom
  2. Justin Towne Earl – The Replacements: Can’t Hardly Wait
  3. Frank Turner – The Weakerthans:  A Plea From a Cat Named Virtute
  4. Everlast – Johnny Cash: Folsom Prison Blues
  5. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – Neil Young: Cinnamon Girl

Top 5 bands I would like to see next year (A man can dream, right?)

  1. Wilco
  2. Pearl Jam
  3. Arcade Fire
  4. Aretha Franklin
  5. The Smiths and/or Led Zeppelin reunion
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