Photos and a review of Day 3 of Ottawa Bluesfest: Killer Mike, Shred Kelly, Mt. Joy, and Hopper

[Ross MacDonald has been on the case all week in Ottawa. Here’s the latest. – AC]

Day 3 at Ottawa Bluesfest was another hot day, and threatening thunderstorms. There were some showers early in the evening, and a very ominous cloud passed close-by with a lightning flash; however, the festival was spared any heavy rain or lightning.

Opening the night was Ottawa indie rockers Hopper. It is very refreshing to see a young alt-rock band tearing up the stage with as much energy as the members of Hopper. And with so many other opening acts being stoic, gazing at their shoes (or pedals), finally the early festival-goes had something to cheer about.

And there were quite a few fans that didn’t care about the rain showers. Awesome live music trumps getting wet every time. And the band is aptly named. Both musicians and their fans were hopping to the beat.

Even with the rain showers, the crowd was building at the main stage. Atlanta’s Killer Mike was opening for 50 Cent. Killer Mike was at Ottawa Bluesfest in 2022 as one half of the hip hop duo Run The Jewels. But on Saturday evening Killer Mike was solo, sort of. Onstage backing up Killer Mike was a DJ and five backup singers; everyone was dressed in impeccable white from head to toe.

Killer Mike may have been an opener, but he gave a performance worthy of being a festival headliner. Killer Mike is a four-time Grammy Award winner, most recently receiving three of the gramophone statuettes in 2024. He had everyone grooving from the opening notes. Killer Mike has an even delivery to a steady beat which is impossible to stand still to.

Don’t let Killer Mike’s infectious smile fool you, his lyrics are serious and meaningful, addressing social inequalities. There is no wonder why Rage Against The Machine insisted that Run The Jewels tour with them in 2022. Killer Mike’s second song ‘Run’ is off his recent Grammy-winning album Michael. The poignant lyrics about trying to run away from systemic racism and police brutality had Killer Mike listing some of the countless victims, while he moved his arms in a running manner.

The harmonies and theatrical moves of his backing singers, along with backdrop screen, completed the visual and audio experience. It was the highlight performance of the day.

Back to the River Stage where western-Canada’s indie alt-rockers Shred Kelly were drawing an ever-increasing crowd. It helped that the rain showers were finally ending. The four piece band tout themselves as “folk”. If so, they aren’t the traditional folk in the veins of Ian & Sylvia, they put more emphasis on the “rock” in folk-rock.

The rhythm section had the air of a train chugging along, the sounds were reminiscent of The Clash’s ‘Train In Vain’. Overlaid with guitars and keys, most of the evening was very upbeat and fresh.

Between songs Sage McBride recounted: “Last time we played at Ottawa Bluesfest was in 2012, we were the first band opening for Seal. Only our family members were in the crowd. It is a big difference this year and we greatly appreciate you coming.”

Later Sage added: “Tim our banjo player is a big Neil Young fan and felt bad that he had to cancel his tour.” So the band then covered Tim’s favourite Neil Young song ‘Unknown Legend’.

Maybe it was all the bubbles in the air from Ottawa’s own bubble-man, but Shred Kelly was all smiles and all fun throughout their set.

Closing out the night on the River stage was the alt-rock band Mt. Joy. Their motto for the night was definitely “give them what they want!”

For an indie alt-rock band, Mt. Joy have a decent musical library with a fair bit of depth. Over the past eight years, they have had eight songs that have charted on the US adult alternative chart, and even more singles that have developed a cult following.

The band opened with an older hit song ‘Sheep’ and the energy persisted throughout the night. They were playing opposite 50 Cent on the main stage, and even though they didn’t have competing demographics, the bowl in front of the River stage was packed tight. At one point between songs, lead singer Matt Quinn commented how loud 50 Cent was on the far side of the festival grounds.

The rain held off for the night and Mt. Joy performed 16 songs in their 90 minute set. Highlights included crowd favourites ‘Lemon Tree’ off 2022’s Orange Blood album and when the band closed with two of their singles off their debut self-titled album: ‘Astrovan’ and their biggest hit ‘Silver Lining’.

The crowd were happy that the rain didn’t come back, but even happier to take in Mt. Joy’s festival performance on what became a beautiful summer night. Perfect in fact.

Mt. Joy:
Matt Quinn – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
Sam Cooper – lead guitar, backing vocals
Sotiris Eliopoulos – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Jackie Miclau – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
Michael Byrnes – bass, backing vocals

Shred Kelly:
Tim Newton – vocals, banjo, guitar
Sage McBride – vocals, keyboard
Ty West – guitar
Ryan Mildenberger – drums