Photos and a review of Hawksley Workman, Sloan, and Glorious Sons in Ottawa
[This one is from Virginia Meeks. – AC]
Ottawa’s biggest summer charity celebration happened this past weekend at Mooney’s Bay Beach on July 11–12, bringing together volleyball, live music, and community spirit for a cause.
Now officially recognized as North America’s largest two day charity event, this celebration features 10,000 players, 700 volunteers, dozens of vendors, and one unforgettable rock show.
HOPE Volleyball SummerFest, also known as the H.O.P.E. Volleyball Fest, is a vibrant charity-focused beach volleyball festival held annually in Ottawa, and it’s one of the city’s most anticipated summer events.
H.O.P.E. (“Helping Other People Everywhere”) has hosted this event since 1982. Over the decades, it’s raised millions of dollars for local community charities, including programs focused on housing, child welfare, sexual assault, mental health, youth services, animal welfare, and more.
From Showcase Winners to Festival Standouts: Lazzy Lung Makes Their Mark with HOPE
After winning the audience-voted artist showcase earlier this year at Overflow Brewing Company, Lazzy Lung (pronounced Lazy Lung) were set on making their mark with a brand-new lineup and they didn’t miss.
Kicking off the HOPE Volleyball Tournament concert lineup, they set the tone with gritty, heartfelt rock that showcased their artistic persistence and cultural fusion, a band coming full circle in every sense.
A tough act to follow, their polished riffs and frontman Allan Chaaraoui’s hauntingly beautiful voice echoed across Mooney’s Bay Beach, captivating attendees of all ages.
Hawksley Workman Brings Heart and Heat to HOPE Fest 2025
Under the peak of a relentless sun, Hawksley Workman https://www.hawksleyworkman.com/ and his full band made us truly feel the meaning of “HOPE” at the HOPE Volleyball Festival. Taking the stage preparing to be drenched in sweat, he poured out unwavering gratitude between songs, crooning the crowd with falsetto-laced ballads that gradually gave way to a heavier tone.
A true showman with heart, Workman turned a scorching afternoon into something unforgettable, even sticking around afterward to snap a few selfies with fans by the backstage.
“SLLLOOOOAAANN” the crowd chanted – if you’ve seen them, you’ve definitely heard it before.
With precision and nostalgia in equal measure, Canadian rock royalty Sloan https://sloanmusic.com/ crafted a setlist built to please. From deep cuts like their debut single “Underwhelmed” to popular crowd-shakers like “Money City Maniacs,” they had the audience forgetting all about the heat, thanks in no small part to their trademark harmonies, floating effortlessly like a lakeside breeze.
And again, with the heart and music, frontman Chris Murphy came from behind the stage after to take some photos with eager fans.
As the sky dimmed, The Glorious Sons Set the Stage Ablaze
It was 5:30 in the evening, the sun had dipped behind the stage and a layer of clouds rolled in offering some much-needed relief from the heat just as Kingston, Ontario’s own The Glorious Sons were about to take the stage.
DJ Noah from LIVE 88.5 – Ottawa’s high-energy alt-rock station and the unofficial hype-man of the day – kept the crowd buzzing like the Energizer Bunny. As he performed his signature move, blasting Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” for a full-crowd singalong, the anticipation hit its peak.
But there was one last twist, at the special request of the band in a fitting nod to their hometown, The Glorious Sons insisted on one more track to intro them: “Courage” by The Tragically Hip. And it worked. The energy swelled. The crowd was more than ready.
They launched straight into “My Poor Heart” a heavy-hitter that cracked open the set with grit and urgency. Frontman Brett Emmons, barefoot in tradition, surfed the subwoofers and leaned into the front row, locking eyes with familiar faces and new fans alike.
The band navigated their set with a perfect balance of momentum and intimacy. Midway through, they reignited the fire with a nod to their 2023 album Glory, delivering powerful renditions of “Mercy Mercy”and “Cellular” anthemic, captivating, and made for a shoreline crowd.
They kept deep cuts in the mix while delivering on the staples: “Mama”, “S.O.S. (Sawed Off Shotgun)”, and “Everything Is Alright”. It was a set built for connection, HOPE, and pure, unfiltered rock.
As the final chords rang out over Mooney’s Bay and the crowd slowly dispersed, one thing was clear: HOPE Volleyball SummerFest 2025 was more than just a charity event it was a celebration of resilience, music, and community. From newcomers like Lazzy Lung to seasoned icons like Hawksley Workman, Sloan, and The Glorious Sons, every artist brought something uniquely powerful to the stage. And with every volley, every singalong, and every shared moment under the blistering sun, the spirit of “Helping Other People Everywhere” lived on louder, prouder, and more unforgettable than ever.
