How tough is it for Ottawa bands to get into Bluesfest?

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This year, for example, efforts were made to showcase the vibrant francophone music scene of the Ottawa-Gatineau area, to the delight of rapper LeFlofranco.

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“Ottawa Bluesfest is the biggest festival we have in the region every summer, and so many big artists have graced the stage,” said the Paris-born, Orleans-raised musician. “To be part of the massive lineup is a big deal for sure. It’s a major milestone.”

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Francophone artist LeFLOFRANCO Photo by John Lappa /Sudbury Star

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The 40-year-old francophone has been to Bluesfest as a fan many times over the years, catching hip-hop acts like Drake, Sean Paul, Kanye West and the Black-Eyed Peas.

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He even performed on the big stage during a pandemic edition of the festival, but it was for an audience ensconced in their cars, not busting moves in the summer heat. “It was a totally different vibe,” Flo remembered of the 2020 drive-in concert series.

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He will get the full Bluesfest experience this summer, enhanced by the fact that many of his French-speaking musical compadres are also on the program, Others on the bill include folk-rockers Les Rats d’Swompe, singer-songwriter Joly and pop/R&B chanteuse Mely Walide, plus Gatineau’s alt-pop sensation Mehdi Cayenne.

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“We’re excited, we’re grateful and we hope to represent well for the francophones of Ottawa — and also for those that love the French language and make it a point of tuning to French music,” Flo said. “I can’t wait.”

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Meanwhile, Watson is performing at the festival this summer, but not with his own musical project.

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This time, he’s one of the band members backing his friends in Ottawa’s Satellite Birdhouse, a folk-rock outfit formed by the duo of Troy Huizinga and Stacy DuBois, who are also life partners. Watson has been producing their music at his Buckingham Palace studio in Buckingham, Que.

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For the couple, part of the appeal of a Bluesfest gig is playing for a different, all-ages crowd.

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“It’s an interesting opportunity to play for an audience that isn’t necessarily going out to the clubs in Ottawa,” Huizinga said. “You get to get in the ears of people who didn’t know that we were here.”

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He said the booking also comes with greater “brand recognition,” a boon for any new act. DuBois just started writing songs during the pandemic, and one of her first, the harmonious October, became their recording debut in 2024.

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“Having our name up there with, you know, Cody Johnson and Sheryl Crow and some of the other massive acts that are coming, is really great,” Huizinga said.

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“Every spring people from all over the city are looking for the lineup. It’s the talk of the town, and our band name gets to be up there.”

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Satellite Birdhouse members Troy and Stacy look forward to playing for different audiences at Bluesfest. Photo by Curtis Perry /Supplied

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In the end, the acts that end up playing the festival are some of the city’s best. Here’s who made it to the program in 2026:

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Satellite Birdhouse

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July 9, Barney Danson Theatre

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6:30-7:30 p.m.

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Alicia Kayley

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July 10, Barney Danson Theatre

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6:30-7:30 p.m.

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F!TH

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July 10, RBC Stage

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6-7 p.m.

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Aspects

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July 11, RBC Stage

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6-7 p.m.

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Mikhail Laxton

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July 11, LeBreton Stage

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5:45-6:30 p.m.

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Mehdi Cayenne

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July 12, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Stage

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6:15-7:15 p.m.

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summersets

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July 12, RBC Stage

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6-7 p.m.

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Les Rats d’Swompe

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July 12, LeBreton Stage

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5:45-6:30 p.m.

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Joly

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July 12, Barney Danson Theatre

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6:30-7:30 p.m.

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Mecca of Stank

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July 15, LeBreton Stage

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5:45-6:30 p.m.

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Nayana

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July 17, RBC Stage

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6-7 p.m.

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Bridge Music

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July 18, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Stage

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6:15-7:15 p.m.

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LeFlofranco

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July 19, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Stage

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6:55-7:45 p.m.

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Banggz

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July 19, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Stage

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5:45-6:35 p.m.

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Rebelle

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July 19, RBC Stage

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6-7 p.m.

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DJs

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Tyr One

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July 17-19, Spin Stage

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DJ Karyen

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July 12, 15-16, Spin Stage

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DJ Kwane

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July 10-11, 16-17, Crazy Horse Saloon

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DJ Mace

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July 9-11, Spin Stage

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DJMC

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July 9, 12, 15, 18-19, Crazy Horse Saloon

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