The highly-anticipated Summer of 23 edition of Ottawa Bluesfest began with an unforgettable opening night featuring Ottawa’s own J.C and Dax, as well as Vancouver artist bbno$. The River Stage came alive on Thursday as these talented musicians took the spotlight, delivering a remarkable music experience for all in attendance.
The night started with J.C, who hit the stage at 6:30 p.m., donning a vibrant yellow vest and radiating excitement. Performing his hit songs for the hometown crowd, J.C’s dynamic rap style and energy set the tone for an incredible evening of music.
J.C (Pedro Domingos)
Next up was Ottawa-native Dax who currently calls Los Angeles home. The Canadian star made a grand entrance wearing an Ottawa Senators fleece jacket, captivating the audience. During his performance, Dax surprised fans by autographing his jacket and shoes and throwing them into the crowd, creating a moment of pure excitement and fan appreciation. With chart-topping tracks like “Dear God” and “To Be A Man,” Dax had the crowd singing and vibing along while he performed “Dear Alcohol” as an acapella.
Dax (Pedro Domingos)
As the evening continued, bbno$ arrived on stage amidst Shania Twain’s crowd-drawing performance in the background. Fresh from his European tour, bbno$ brought his signature energy and charisma to the stage. He even took a moment to gift a cookbook to a fan, a tradition at his shows. The audience erupted with enthusiasm as he performed his hit singles, including the infectious “Edamame,” leaving fans dancing and singing along.
bbno$ (Pedro Domingos)
Follow @CapCityHipHop for even more coverage of #RBCBluesfest2023, featuring exclusive photos and videos capturing the epic moments from this year’s festival. You can also visit OttawaBluesfest.ca for the full performance lineup.
Photos by Pedro Domingos for the CapCityHipHop Media Team
Words by Nathan “Thrilla” Gravelle for HipHopCanada / CapCityHipHop
