Ottawa’s Bluesfest 2010 kicks off next week

Ottawa's Bluesfest 2010 kicks off next week

The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest is back again this year with another ridiculously long lineup and duration time. We’re talking nearly two straight weeks of outdoor (and under a tent) music, featuring over 230 artists in what’s normally a sleepy town filled with federal government employees and the occasional shiftless layabout.

Ottawa’s Bluesfest had a humble beginning in 1994, attracting a few thousand people and some notable names from the blues canon, including Clarence Clemons. Over the years, the organizers realized that by adding big names that had only a passing (or non-existent) connection to the blues they could sell more tickets. As a result, Bob Dylan, Built to Spill, Snoop Dogg, Gogol Bordello, Brian Wilson, The White Stripes, Manu Chao, the Handsome Furs (pictured above), and Ornette Coleman have all passed through here at some point. 2010 sees the addition of Carlos Santana, Iron Maiden, Arcade Fire, The Flaming Lips, and RUSH to the evergrowing list. You read that right, goddamned RUSH.

The festival runs from July 6-18 and has added comedy shows to its lineup for the first time. Lewis Black, Louis C.K., and Wayne Brady are the big names, with a slew of other comedians performing every night. Look forward to full coverage from TMT, as both David Nadelle and I will be hoping to take in another brilliant performance by That 1 Guy.

• Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest: http://www.ottawabluesfest.ca

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