The Fans’ Guide to Bluesfest 2025

The Fans' Guide to Bluesfest 2025

Ottawa, ON – July 10th - 20th, 2025

Photography by Adam Recchi (@recchiphotography)

Videography by Pedro Domingos (@pedrodecimus | @pedroxdomingos)

Written by Kristi Nallbani (@knsnaps) and Imani Busby (@imani.dominique)

Festivalgoers shared highlights from this year’s Bluesfest, from the massive Green Day crowd to BADBADNOTGOOD’s set and hearing TURNSTILE live. A first-time volunteer joined the excitement, sharing that seeing Sean Paul was their highlight. One attendee said they were excited to see Kaytranada perform: “I heard really good things about him,” and enjoyed seeing Def Leppard again: “Seeing them the second time is always a blast.”

Another attendee described the Green Day crowd as “insane,” saying, “It was so dense. I never seen so many people in my life.” They also raved about The Linda Lindas: “The second they got on that stage, one of them just let a yell that hair came right up on the arms immediately. I started bouncing... I lost my mind.” When asked who they were most excited to see on the last night of the festival, they said Kaytranada.

Other festivalgoers discovered new favourites like Lou Phelps: “I really vibed with Lou’s set.” For next year, people suggested artists like the Meridian Brothers, British rap acts, and Yung Gravy, as well as hoping for the return of favourites like the Foo Fighters, Pitbull, and bbno$. One attendee hoped for “a wider variety of artists, more genres represented.”