![]() We have some strong country acts with Toby Keith, Jake Owen, Justin Moore, High Valley on the hip-hop side we have 50 Cent, who has never played the festival (and last played Ottawa in 2004), Migos, one of the hottest current acts going, Fetty Wap we have electro DJ music from Flume and RL Grime. I mean, Tom Petty hasn't played here since 1981, P!nk has never been here and Muse has not played Ottawa (since a club date in 2004). “Once you start to get the lineup filled in, then you look at what you don't have. Monahan said the festival started to take shape once those “iconic names” were booked in the headlining slots. FETTY WAP TOUR 2017 DATES FULLIt's not always perfect, but I want to get something that's going to excite the crowd, whether that's a high school student or a 70-year-old blues fan.” Along with the main stage headliners, most of whom are making their first-ever Ottawa tour stop, Bluesfest is offering up some favourites of festivals past, and a full complement of Canadiana with the likes of Tegan and Sara, Sam Roberts Band, July Talk and Death From Above 1979 – who return to the festival after being forced to cancel last year's much-anticipated reunion tour – along with 50 local acts selected from more than 450 submissions. We're trying to listen to all these groups and get it as best we can. “We're always cultivating a new audience, and we've been going out to focus groups at Carleton University, high schools, and then we've been going to things like the Blues Summit in Toronto, where there's a core audience of blues fans who are certainly not (in the youth demographic). “This is one of the largest events in the North American scene, and in terms of lineups I think this ranks fairly highly - it's always a challenge to maintain your status in that. Monahan said he boosted this year's talent budget to ensure “some big names that will attract some out-of-town folks to the festival.” The festival's full budget is approaching $20 million, said Monahan, up from last year's budget of $15 million, with about half of that devoted to talent. ![]() With Canada's 150th celebrations expected to be at a fever pitch by early July, Bluesfest will introduce weekend passes, covering each Thursday-Sunday in an effort to attract tourists on a weekend-long stay. ![]() That was a big priority for this year.” The festival will return to its usual 10-day run – after last year's nine-day edition – from July 6 to 16 at LeBreton Flats. in the fall to meet with his agent, because I thought it was important we express how serious we were about booking the date. Often with these artists, there are so many factors that go into it with scheduling and logistics, but obviously when we heard Tom Petty was going out for some spring and summer dates, we were one of the first at the door. “He's someone who we've been pursuing for many years. “He's one of the guys we've had at the top of our list for a long time,” Monahan said in an interview from his headquarters at Festival House. For festival executive director Mark Monahan – who says he sets out each year to create a festival experience that includes something for everyone – signing Petty on the iconic heartland rocker's 40th anniversary tour was a top priority. ![]() RBC Ottawa Bluesfest is crossing a few big names off its all-time wish list, announcing first-time festival appearances by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – who last played the capital in 1981 – along with P!nk, Muse, Toby Keith, LCD Soundsystem, 50 Cent and Gary Clark Jr. ![]()
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