What is it like to DJ at Bluesfest? These artists have the answer

DJ Karyen performs during Bluesfest at LeBreton Flats on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Photo by Spencer Colby /Postmedia

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The DJs are spinning tucked away at Bluesfest along the river somewhere between the RBC Main Stage and the River stage in a self-described “Big Chill” zone, but the vibes through the night could get anything but chill.

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The Sleepwell Big Chill is an area that is branded as “your festival oasis,” where bluesfesters can take a seat, and grab food or a beverage in between sets of their favourite artists.

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A bluesfester may even catch a sunset or a breeze by the river.

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But the local DJs working the spin stage are keeping the vibes and energy moving, encouraging dancers to keep the beat in the down time between shows.

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Karen Nimblett, otherwise known as DJ Karyen, is on the desk at the spin stage on July 15. The sun is setting and wildfire smoke is texturing the skies orange tint towards dusk. The breeze is strong along the leaves and the river creating short whitecaps.

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She starts her set with a quick soundcheck after her festival-provided meal. She plans to start things off slow, with some ideas on certain genres and a vibe, and keeping it with some “afro beat stuff, maybe some R&B and some hip hop,” she said.

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But mostly she will stick with “well-known artists”, moving towards some dance remixes when the dancers begin.

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It’s the second year in a row that Nimblett is playing Bluesfest, which she calls spinning a “great opportunity.”

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It’s something that Trevor Mason, a.k.a. DJ Mace, who performed at the festival for the first time on the spin stage from July 9-11, agrees with.

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“I think most DJs, including myself in Ottawa, Bluesfest is the one you want to play,” Mason said. “It’s kind of like if you’re in Ottawa as a DJ and you don’t play Bluesfest, it’s almost like you’re not seen.”

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Now, Mason says that “the bucket list is checked off.”

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DJing for decades

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Mason had been DJing for decades before finding himself on the spin stage at Bluesfest. He learned the craft on vinyls, shadowing friends and family who were active in the scene.

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When one of his cousins, who were DJs, went to bed, he would sneak to their crates and pull out their records.

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“I was always fascinated by it,” Mason said, including everything around spinning, from the graphic design on event posters, to graffiti, to skateboarding, to vintage clothing and hip hop.

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Mason’s first love was Chicago House, followed by hip hop, but his musical roots ran deep into childhood. He grew up in a musical household and was raised on soca and Caribbean music like dancehall and reggae.

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Nimblett followed a similar path. She would hear her dad play a lot of soca music in the house before she found her way to the scene through shadowing a DJ friend who owned a clothing store. There, she was able to learn and develop her craft.

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She DJed in a club for the first time in around 2005, but then left the scene for about a decade for personal reasons.