While researching the Internet under
the name of LyndaHere ie Lynda Elstad I found this article from the Ottawa Blues
Fest in the Ottawa Citizen she attended with her friend Dr Christina
Templeton from Newfoundland. She had made comments to the journalist
about the festival and how she had come from Seattle especially.
BULLSHIT. If I remember correctly she had been following Alan Doyle
throughout the year on his solo tour and was heading to Newfoundland
for a range of festivals in July. I can image the reaction of the
journalist to ‘I spend my time stalking Alan Doyle and Great Big Sea’.
Bluesfest hits
electronic note Sweltering weather doesn't deter music-lovers on
opening night by Alicja
Siekierska, Ottawa Citizen Published: Thursday,
July 05, 2012
Thousands of people
braved the summer heat on Wednesday evening and made their way to
LeBreton Flats Park for the opening night of RBC Royal Bank Ottawa
Bluesfest.
The crowds gathered
around the five stages spread out around the grounds under the
sweltering sun, all to see big-name performers such as Great Big
Sea's Alan Doyle, Fishbone, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and
AWOLNATION.
However, it seemed as
if a majority of the spectators on opening night were there to see
world-renowned DJ and electronic music producer Tiesto.
"He's one of the
best electro performers in the world," said Justin Chieffallo,
who waited in the heat for almost an hour before the gates to the
festival opened at 5 p.m. "He's amazing. I've been waiting for
months to see him."
Tiesto and Grammy
Award-winning Skrillex are the headliners representing the electronic
genre at Bluesfest, which this year is featuring a larger portion of
electronic dance music in its lineup than ever before.
Based on the size of
the audience in front of the main stage to see Tiesto, people are
happy about it.
"Bluesfest has
always had a diverse range of acts," said Theresa Dorody, one of
those waiting for the show to begin. "Tiesto, and really all the
electronic performers, are great additions to the lineup."
"It's an
interesting mix to-night," said Linda Elstad, who travelled from
Seattle to check out the Ottawa festival. "On one stage you have
Alan Doyle performing. Right next to him is Tiesto, and around the
corner you have Billy Bragg."
"There's something
for everyone to see," said Christina Templeton, one of the first
people to arrive in front of the stage where Doyle was to perform.
Although they appeared
to be outnumbered, there were also many people disappointed with the
electronic lineup.
"The festival is
catering more to the younger generation, more than those who work
hard for our money to come to the festival," Ste-phanee
Walker-Jolly said.
"Where are the big
star names?" Hugh Jolly said. "Previous years have had much
bigger names performing at Bluesfest."
Jolly also said
organizers needed to try to keep the blues in Bluesfest.
"Personally, I
don't think Bluesfest is the place for electronic music."
The lineup isn't the
only thing at Bluesfest that has gone electronic. This year marks the
first time the festival has used state-of-the-art wristbands for
entry, ditching the paper-ticket system.
The wristbands contain
tiny radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips. Organizers say they
are supposed to make it quicker and easier for concert goers to enter
the festival grounds.
In previous years,
there have been long lines of people waiting just to enter the
festival grounds. On Wednesday evening, though, that wasn't an issue.
However, there was one
minor bump in the road.
Those who purchased
Empire Grill Clubhouse Pass-ports, at a cost of $575, did not receive
wristbands in time for the concert. Instead, volunteers will be at
each festival entrance with hand-held de-vices to scan the paper
pass-ports.
The weather for the
next week of Bluesfest is expected to be hot and humid, with
temperatures reaching the mid-30s.
