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Kaytranada at Bluesfest Haitian-born, Montreal-based DJ and producer KAYTRANADA, known for his GRAMMY-winning album BUBBA and collaborations with artists like Kali Uchis and H.E.R., took the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on closing night, Sunday, July 20, 2025, at LeBreton Flats. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

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Kaytranada closed out the 31st edition of Bluesfest on Sunday with a solo DJ set that wound down the nine-day party with a chill vibe that was not too heavy, not too loud and fully danceable.

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With about 10,000 in attendance, it wasnt a massive crowd by Bluesfest standards, especially for an artist who pulls in many millions of views on his YouTube channel. But as the only electronic headliner on this years program, he had the attention of a demographic that came dressed for the dancefloor, which, in this case, was the rain-dampened dirt in front of the Canadian War Museum.

Kaytranada at Bluesfest Haitian-born, Montreal-based DJ and producer Kaytranada played Bluesfest on closing night at LeBreton Flats Park. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

The Haitian-born Montrealer, aka 32-year-old Louis Kevin Celestin, didnt talk much as he conjured a groove-driven set, his surging bass lines dripping with hip hop-laced beats, and often topped off by the ethereal sound of angelic vocals floating overhead.

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Add a non-stop barrage of strobe-powered lights pulsing to the beat and a closing blast of fireworks, and it was a blissful night for the throngs of fans dancing together on the plaza, including a handful of young women on their boyfriends shoulders.

Earlier in the evening, dark clouds passed over LeBreton Flats Park as BADBADNOTGOOD played the RBC main stage.

The instrumental jam band of Canadians barely noticed the change in weather. They were focused on unravelling some intense grooves to warm up the dancers for Kaytranada, and drummer Alexander Sowinski was urging everyone to get loose and shake it out.

BADBADNOTGOOD at Bluesfest It was a homecoming show at Bluesfest for BADBADNOTGOODs Ottawa-born bassist Chester Hansen, right. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

We came to take you on a ride, Sowinski declared, giving a special shoutout to the bands friends and family in the audience. Turned out it was a homecoming for their Ottawa-born bassist, Chester Hansen, a Canterbury grad.

The ride was a musical one that took us down into the funky depths, over a tapestry of jazz and up into the psychedelic atmosphere, with a wonderful salute to the rhythms of Brazil along the way.

Sowinski also gave kudos to their pal, Kaytranada, noting shared values such as creating positive spaces for music, culture, having a good time and lifting each other up.

The crowd at bluesfest on Sunday Festival-goers were soaking up every last beat of Bluesfest on Sunday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

We gotta keep it wonderful, he told the crowd, who cheered him on.

When the rain hit, Sowinski and his cohorts got even deeper into it, gaining momentum with the increasingly heavy precipitation. Most of the audience scattered in search of shelter in the museum, but a devoted bunch stuck it out to shake and shimmy in the rain.

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Happily, by the time the BBNG set ended, so did the precipitation.

Despite Sundays low turnout, which was not unexpected for a new headliner, Bluesfest 2025 was a big success, said artistic and executive director Mark Monahan. Final attendance is expected to surpass 250,000 visitors, with Green Day drawing more than 35,000, the biggest crowd of the festival.

Green Day drew Bluesfest's biggest crowd, estimated at 35,000. Green Day drew Bluesfests biggest crowd, estimated at 35,000. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia

Monahan said Lainey Wilson and Hozier each drew more than 30,000 folks, while Def Leppard, Sean Paul and Shania Twain drew slightly less.

The River stage did especially well this year, too, he added, with shows by Father John Misty, Dead South and Men I Trust among the most popular.

Even blues fans were pleased with the programming. Some of the hottest in the new generation of blues stars were featured, with memorable performances by D.K. Harrell, Christone Kingfish Ingram and Sue Foley, plus one of the weirdest acts around, the helmet-clad slide guitar wiz, Bob Log III.

Bob Log III at Ottawa Bluesfest Bob Log III, a one man band slide-guitar party, played the LeBreton Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA

This year also saw improved crowd flow around the main plaza, thanks to a pathway that was kept clear along the row of corporate suites, and greater use of the closed-to-traffic Kichi Z+b+ M+kan.

The new Mexican cantina on the street was a hit, and the four extra screens meant people hanging out on the street could watch the show without braving the thick of the crowd.

Perhaps the biggest annoyance was sound bleed. In one instance, the Decemberists on the River stage were plagued by the riffs of Def Leppard on the RBC stage.

Rick Savage and Joe Elliott of Def Leppard Def Leppards two original members, singer singer Joe Elliott and bassist Rick Savage, led the band through a string of radio-friendly hits at Bluesfest on Wednesday. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia

Another complaint came from fans of B.C.s Harry Manx, whose mesmerizing style of Indian-influenced blues was cursed by the thump of DJ tunes from the Crazy Horse Saloon. 

Monahan is sympathetic but pretty sure the saloon will be back next year.

Its a very popular installation, he said, and we think it can coexist with the music. But yeah, there are always improvements to be made.

Festival-goers at Ottawa Bluesfest on closing night, Sunday, July 20, 2025, soaked up every last beat at LeBreton Flats, despite a brief downpour that briefly sent music lovers seeking cover before the event wrapped up for the year. Festival-goers at Ottawa Bluesfest on closing night, Sunday, July 20, 2025, soaked up every last beat at LeBreton Flats, despite a brief downpour that briefly sent music lovers seeking cover before the event wrapped up for the year. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Festival-goers at Ottawa Bluesfest on closing night, Sunday, July 20, 2025, soaked up every last beat at LeBreton Flats, despite a brief downpour that briefly sent music lovers seeking cover before the event wrapped up for the year. Festival-goers at Ottawa Bluesfest on closing night, Sunday, July 20, 2025, soaked up every last beat at LeBreton Flats, despite a brief downpour that briefly sent music lovers seeking cover before the event wrapped up for the year. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Haitian-born, Montreal-based DJ and producer KAYTRANADA, known for his GRAMMY-winning album BUBBA and collaborations with artists like Kali Uchis and H.E.R., took the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on closing night, Sunday, July 20, 2025, at LeBreton Flats. Haitian-born, Montreal-based DJ and producer KAYTRANADA, known for his GRAMMY-winning album BUBBA and collaborations with artists like Kali Uchis and H.E.R., took the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on closing night, Sunday, July 20, 2025, at LeBreton Flats. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Festival-goers at Ottawa Bluesfest on closing night, Sunday, July 20, 2025, soaked up every last beat at LeBreton Flats, despite a brief downpour that briefly sent music lovers seeking cover before the event wrapped up for the year. Festival-goers at Ottawa Bluesfest on closing night, Sunday, July 20, 2025, soaked up every last beat at LeBreton Flats, despite a brief downpour that briefly sent music lovers seeking cover before the event wrapped up for the year. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Haitian-born, Montreal-based DJ and producer KAYTRANADA, known for his GRAMMY-winning album BUBBA and collaborations with artists like Kali Uchis and H.E.R., took the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest. Haitian-born, Montreal-based DJ and producer KAYTRANADA, known for his GRAMMY-winning album BUBBA and collaborations with artists like Kali Uchis and H.E.R., took the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Papa Roach at Ottawa Bluesfest Papa Roach, the two-time Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling pioneers of alternative hard rock, played the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Saturday, July 19, 2025 on the grounds of LeBreton Flats. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Daughtry at Ottawa Bluesfest Daughtry, an American rock band formed and fronted by namesake Chris Daughtry, played the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Saturday, July 19, 2025 on the grounds of LeBreton Flats. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA We Were Sharks at Ottawa Bluesfest Hailing from Ottawa, We Were Sharks, played the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Saturday, July 19, 2025 on the grounds of LeBreton Flats. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Soleil Crispin, fronting Four Eyed Muscle Man at Ottawa Bluesfest Soleil Crispin, fronting Four Eyed Muscle Man, belted out the music at the river stage. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIA Ottawa Bluesfest Day 6 Fans get in the spirit of the proceedings as Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall opens for Sean Paul on the main stage of Ottawa Bluesfest on Thursday evening. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIA Canadian bluesman Harry Manx performed on the LeBreton Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Thursday night. Canadian bluesman Harry Manx performed on the LeBreton Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Thursday night. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIA Donald Neville was again at stage front for Bluesfest on Thursday evening along with pals, left to right, Julie Hanes, Nancy Desaulniers, Kelly McLeod, Jennifer Diotte and Meagan McLeod. Donald Neville was again at stage front for Bluesfest on Thursday evening along with pals, left to right, Julie Hanes, Nancy Desaulniers, Kelly McLeod, Jennifer Diotte and Meagan McLeod. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIA Dystoh, an Ottawa duo of saxman Ray Tabana (pictured) and percussionist Phil Motion, was the first act on the main stage for Bluesfest on Thursday, July 17. Dystoh, an Ottawa duo of saxman Ray Tabana (pictured) and percussionist Phil Motion, was the first act on the main stage for Bluesfest on Thursday, July 17. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIA Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/ Audioslave) rocked the main stage at Bluesfest Wednesday. Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/ Audioslave) rocked the main stage at Bluesfest Wednesday. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/ Audioslave) rocked the main stage at Bluesfest on Wednesday night along with his young son Roman, 14 (left), who joined his dad on guitar at the beginning of the show. Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/ Audioslave) rocked the main stage at Bluesfest on Wednesday night along with his young son Roman, 14, who joined his dad on guitar at the beginning of the show. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia It was three generations of Perron boys (from left: dad Gabriel, grandson Victor and grandpa Joel Perron) who came from Montreal to see Def Leppard on Day 5 of Bluesfest on Wednesday. Three generations of Perrons, left to right, son Gabriel, grandson Victor and grandfather Joel Perron, came to Ottawa Bluesfest from Montreal to see Def Leppard on Wednesday. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia Shania Twain at Ottawa Bluesfest Shania Twain, five-time Grammy award winner, played the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Sunday, July 13, 2025 on the grounds of LeBreton Flats. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Alan Doyle at Ottawa Bluesfest Alan Doyle of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, played the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Sunday, July 13, 2025 on the grounds of LeBreton Flats. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Ottawa Bluesfest fans Fans enjoyed Alan Doyle of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, who played the RBC Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Sunday, July 13, 2025 on the grounds of LeBreton Flats. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Leverage for Mountains at Ottawa Bluesfest Leverage for Mountains, a folk trio from Gatineau, played the River Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest on Sunday, July 13, 2025 on the grounds of LeBreton Flats. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA heat wave Bluesfest staff hose down to cool off Saturday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Ottawa Bluesfest heat As a heat warning settled over the city Saturday evening, festival-goers at Ottawa Bluesfest wandered through LeBreton Flats, taking in slower moments of calm and cool relief on July 12, 2025. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Men I Trust at Ottawa Bluesfest The Toronto shoegazers Men I Trust performed on the River Stage at Ottawa Bluesfest, Saturday, July 12, 2025. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA TURNSTILE at Ottawa Bluesfest TURNSTILE performed on the RBC Stage during the third night of Ottawa Bluesfest at LeBreton Flats on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA The Pixies Ottawa Bluesfest Legendary Boston Massachusetts band, the Pixies, performed on the RBC Stage during the third night of Ottawa Bluesfest held on the grounds of LeBreton Flats, Saturday, July 12, 2025. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Sue Foley Ottawa Bluesfest Award-winning blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Sue Foley performs on the LeBreton Stage during the third night of Ottawa Bluesfest at LeBreton Flats on Saturday. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Kurt Vile & The Violators at Ottawa Bluesfest Kurt Vile & The Violators kicked things off on the RBC Stage during the third night of Ottawa Bluesfest held on the grounds of LeBreton Flats, Saturday, July 12, 2025. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Tattoo Truck Bluesfest Ottawa It was busy inside the tattoo truck on site at Bluesfest on Friday evening. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIA Lainey Wilson on stage at Bluesfest Lainey Wilson played to a full house on the opening night of Bluesfest Thursday. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIA Melbourne Ska Orchestra on stage at Bluesfest The Melbourne Ska Orchestras band leader Nicky Bomba got people grooving on opening night of a sold-out Bluesfest Thursday. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia Brandon Coleman of Red Clay Strays on stage at Bluesfest Singer for The Red Clay Strays, Brandon Coleman, broke out some Elvis-like moves as he sung on the main stage on opening night of Bluesfest. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /Postmedia

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