2026 Ottawa Bluesfest — Wednesday, July 15

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Lineup

Daily lineup at LeBreton Flats. Headliner: Conan Gray on RBC Stage.

RBC Stage

6:00 pm — Natasha Bedingfield

7:30 pm — Myles Smith

9:30 pm — Conan Gray 🎤 headliner

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Stage

6:15 pm — Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder

Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder is a multi-generational family-based group whose unique style is Gospel with Blues riffs and ​grooves, all punctuated by Nikki D’s wildly soulful and electrifying steel ​guitar. In fact, in 2016, Guitar World magazine described Nikki as "The Jimi ​Hendrix of ‘Sacred Steel", because of her vocal like runs.  Known for their dynamic live shows and authentic musicianship, the band brings thunderous energy and deep emotion to the stage while bridging sacred and secular worlds with music that testifies, heals, and uplifts.

7:45 pm — Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

Black Joe Lewis is the realest motherfucker there is. When Covid shut down touring, he went and poured concrete to support his baby mama and his kid. That’s not a story, that’s real life. When Joe and the Honeybears hit the national stage over a decade ago, critics paid attention, but there were always a few saying he hadn’t paid his dues. Funny thing is, Joe’s still here. Still grinding. Still snapping necks and cashing checks. He’s lived the whole cycle: the highs, the letdowns, the long roads and low-hanging fruit. Through it all, he’s sharpened his grip on gut-bucket blues guitar and found his true voice.

It’s a vital, distinctly American voice, one that never chased attention and never expected it. It just happened. The garage, the blues, the sweat-drenched live shows that live somewhere between James Brown, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and the MC5 were baked in from the start. You couldn’t package it or explain it. You had to be there.  Sharon Jones. Charles Bradley. Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm. The Dirtbombs. Detroit Cobras. The Strange Boys. That’s a roll call of a moment, one that’s mostly been flattened and commodified since. Joe was there on the ground floor, where guitars were greasy and the stakes were real. He’s one of the last still standing.

9:15 pm — All-Star Women's Blues Showcase 🎤 headliner

Bringing together some of the top female musicians in Blues and Roots, the All-Star Women’s Blues Showcase is a special event you won’t want to miss! It will feature the incredible talents of Crystal Shawanda, Angelique Francis, Dawn Tyler Watson, Angel Forrest, Tanika Charles, Dana Fuchs, and an all women 8-piece backing band. Led by the incomparable saxophonist and band leader Elena Kapeleris, the All-Star Women’s Blues Band includes some of Canada’s top players. An exhilarating mix of Blues, Soul, and Rock & Roll that will culminate in a collective celebration of voices.

LeBreton Stage

5:45 pm — Mecca of Stank

7:00 pm — Reuben and The Bullhorn Singers

8:30 pm — Sons of Legion 🎤 headliner

Barney Danson Theatre

6:30 pm — Adam Karch

8:00 pm — Dominique Way

9:30 pm — Yasmin Williams 🎤 headliner

Spin Stage

6:00 pm — DJ Karyen

The Crazy Horse Saloon

5:30 pm — DJMC