RBC Bluesfest 2020 Lineup Released!
By: Julia Prendergast
The lineup for RBC Bluesfest 2020 has been released and we figured it was the perfect time to start learning more about some of the awesome acts heading to Ottawa.
RBC Bluesfest, the event guaranteed to bring some of the hottest names to Ottawa, is taking over Lebreton Flats once again for it’s 26th year! This time, the festival is running from July 9-19th 2020. Last year, we had you covered with some great footage and behind-the-scenes shots…
And this year will be no different – but the lineup definitely is. We’ve all been getting excited for Jack Johnson, professional surfer turned singer-songwriter, and Vance Joy for a while now. Vance Joy, who was once performing alongside P!nk, a former RBC Bluesfest headliner, is taking the Main Stage for himself this summer. The Australian’s hit song ‘Riptide’ was once awarded the longest-charting song in the history of the ARIA Chart, or the Australian music charts, at 107 weeks. Johnson himself has been releasing our favourite rainy-day music since 2001 – you can come enjoy both’s nostalgic, acoustic vibe on July 14th.
Of course, there’s also Marshmello headlining on July 16th. Taking a sharp turn from the acoustic appeal of the 14th’s lineup, Marshmello was listed by Forbes as one of the highest-paid DJs in the world. Believe it or not, Marshmello consistently performs with an 8 pound helmet on his head – one that’s worth $55 million and is fitted with both an air conditioning system and LED lights, so don’t feel too bad for him! His first major gig was a Halloween concert in New York City, and many local fans were lucky enough to see him at the EY Centre for Halloween in 2016.
Marshmello will be joined by Lil Tecca, a teenage rapper who broke out with millions of listens on SoundCloud in 2019. Lil Tecca turned 17 only days before the release of his debut project, We Love You Lil Tecca, and he managed to build up a following online much too large for the industry to ignore. Lil Tecca embraces his youth and presents a strong voice with a flow that’s pitched to the moment – which all makes for a great show. If you’re a fan of other sing-rap phenomenons like A Boogie wit da Hoodie or Lil Nas X, don’t miss out on Lil Tecca at RBC Bluesfest!
Now that we’ve gotten to see the full RBC Bluesfest lineup, there’s so many more artists to get excited about.
6LACK, pronounced ‘Black’, is heading to Ottawa for the festival! The American rapper and singer/songwriter from Atlanta first gained recognition for his single ‘Prblms’ in 2016. He straddles the line between rapper and singer well, with grit and a murky-sounding production that encapsulates his storytelling. 6LACK often sings about independence, but it’s interesting to hear his story as he grows, with lines like “Time will never wait on us/but it can never age our love” on his newest album East Atlanta Love Letter (which premiered at #1 on Billboard’s top R&B albums chart).
Nelly, another RBC Bluesfest headliner, first rose to fame with hip hop group the St. Lunatics in 1993 and set the tone for music in his native city of St. Louis at the time. As the fourth-best selling rap artist in American music history, Nelly has seven albums to his name and a treasure-trove of tracks to perform. From his newer release ‘Freaky with You‘ to the iconic 2010 bops ‘Just a Dream‘ and ‘Hot in Herre‘, you’re not going to want to miss it.
For those of you who love the classics, don’t forget about acts like Ottawa-born Alanis Morissette, Blink 182, and Rage Against the Machine… Not to mention Boyz II Men!
Boyz II Men is an American R&B and hip hop group, best known for their a cappella harmonies and boy-band ballads. Back in the 1990s, Boys II Men found fame with the help of Motown Records as a quartet; after bassist Michael McCary left the group due to multiple sclerosis, Boyz II Men continued touring with baritone Nathan Morris and tenors Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman. Their #1 1992 single, ‘End of the Road‘, reached the top of the charts worldwide and set a new record for longevity (it stayed on the Billboard Top 100 for 13 weeks, beating out Elvis Presley). When their own song beat out the Boyz II Men classic “I’ll Make Love To You” for the number one spot, they became the third artist ever to replace themselves on the Top 100. You’ve definitely got to give in to that guilty pleasure and come see these boyz as men:
This year’s RBC Bluesfest is sure to be one for the books, so don’t miss out on the pre-sale tickets release on Thursday, February 20th at 10 AM at ottawabluesfest.ca. If you miss out on the pre-sale, no worries – regular tickets go live at 10 AM on the 21st.
Keep your eyes and ears peeled for chances to win free passes to RBC Bluesfest 2020 on air and on all JUMP! 106.9 social feeds. We can’t wait to keep you updated on everything RBC Bluesfest!
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