Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 Lineup Announced with Green Day, Shania Twain, and Def Leppard
Image credits: Aaron Reid/CTV News Ottawa
The Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 lineup has been announced, featuring a diverse range of artists including American punk trio Green Day, Canadian country queen Shania Twain, and British hard rockers Def Leppard. The 31st edition of the music festival will run from July 10-20 at LeBreton Flats Park, with four stages devoted to live music and two smaller DJ stages. This year's lineup is well-rounded, with something for everyone, according to Mark Monahan, the executive and artistic director of the event.
The festival will mark the first Bluesfest appearance for both Green Day and Def Leppard, and the second for Twain, who set a record in 2023 to become the festival's earliest sellout. Other notable performers include Irish hitmaker Hozier, country darling Lainey Wilson, hardcore punks Turnstile, rock band Papa Roach, and Canadian electronic producer Kaytranada. The lineup also features a contingent of about 40 Ottawa-area bands, including folk trio Leverage For Mountains, jazzy funksters Funk Yo Self, and bluesman J.W-Jones.
The support acts are particularly strong this year, with well-curated matchups such as the Red Clay Strays opening for Wilson, the Pixies opening for Turnstile, and Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello and his new band performing ahead of Def Leppard. Other noteworthy participants include Father John Misty, The Cat Empire, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Alan Doyle, Daughtry, The Decemberists, and many more. The blues content at Bluesfest is also worth checking out, with performances by youthful contemporary bluesman Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Grammy-nominated, Ottawa-born guitarist Sue Foley, and funky riffmeister Fantastic Negrito.
Here is a glance at the preliminary lineup announced Feb. 25:
- July 10: Lainey Wilson; The Red Clay Strays; Father John Misty; The Cat Empire; LinkaMoja; Melbourne Ska Orchestra; Chambers DesLauriers; DB Cohen; Garnetta Cromwell & DaGroovmasters; Riley Burns; Rosewood Avenue; DJ Karyen
- July 11: Hozier; The Dead South; Charlotte Day Wilson; Sarah Harmer; Amigo The Devil; The Claudettes; Claude Munson; Emilie Steele & The Deal; Kristine St-Pierre; Sophie d’Orléans, Vikki Gilmore; DJ Karyen
- July 12: Turnstile; Pixies; Men I Trust; Kurt Vile & The Violators; The Budos Band; Sue Foley; Shaina Hayes; André Bisson; Melissa Ouimet; Rosie’s Smokehouse Deluxe; DJ Karyen; Emerging Artist Showcase
- July 13: Shania Twain; Alan Doyle; Wild Rivers; Big Freedia; The Paper Kites; Darrell Nulisch; Edwin Raphael; Alanna J Brown; Buck Twenty; Jessie Simmons; Leverage For Mountains; DJ DoubleDown
- July 16: Def Leppard; Tom Morello; The Decemberists; Reignwolf; D.K. Harrell; Amos The Transparent; Beau Nectar; Funk Yo Self; Le Winston Band; Luscious; The Sarandons; DJ DoubleDown
- July 17: Sean Paul; G-Eazy; Peach Pit; Harry Manx; Alicia Moffet; Jolie Laide; Lilyisthatyou; Moontricks; Durham County Poets; Dystoh; Sofia Duhaime; DJ DoubleDown
- July 18: Green Day; The Linda Lindas; Dwayne Gretzky; Fantastic Negrito; Ron Sexsmith; Les Shirley; Los Bitchos; Four Eyed Muscle Man; Jahmeema; N’nerjie; The Commotions; DJ Acro
- July 19: Papa Roach; Daughtry; Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram; Lucius; Bob Log III; The Texas Horns; TJ Wheeler; JW Jones; Hellhound Trail; Rubber Tire Peep Show; We Were Sharks; DJ Acro
- July 20: Kaytranada; BADBADNOTGOOD; Tim Baker; Lou Phelps; Darren Kiely; Joce Reyome; Catriona Sturton; Elizabeth Royall; Nolan Hubbard; Be In The Band Showcase; Blues In The Schools Showcase; DJ Acro
The music festival is expected to attract a large crowd, with its diverse lineup and beautiful location at LeBreton Flats Park. The event will feature a range of food and drink options, as well as activities and merchandise for attendees to enjoy. With its rich history and commitment to showcasing local and international talent, the Ottawa Bluesfest is a must-attend festival for music lovers of all genres.
bluesfest music shania def leppard twain ottawa green lebreton flat
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