Melting snow means one thing: Bluesfest is approaching.
The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest runs from July 7 to 18 this year,
and while the schedule of performers won’t be officially announced until April
21, it’s certainly the season for rumours.
U2 fan site www.interference.com is suggesting Bono and the
rest of the Irish band may land here in 2010. The timing looks good, with U2
playing Philadelphia on July 12 and Montreal on July 16 and 17. That leaves a handy
gap of three days to swing by LeBreton Flats.
If U2 does show up at Bluesfest, it would likely be the
biggest draw the festival has ever seen.
BIG NAMES
A search of other artists touring this summer turns up an
interesting list of possibilities for Bluesfest’s 17th year. The following acts
are on tour, and could fit an Ottawa date into their schedules:
* Santana.
* The Moody Blues.
* Lou Reed.
* Iron Maiden.
* Alice Cooper.
* Dave Matthews Band.
* Jethro Tull.
* John Hiatt.
* Levon Helm.
* Mavis Staples.
* Jimmy Cliff.
Bluesfest director of communications A.J. Sauve said he
can’t confirm any bands until this year’s official lineup announcement in April.
Sauve said the festival is working to add some new wrinkles
to the Bluesfest website at www.ottawabluesfest.ca, including a
build-your-own-schedule so patrons can plan their day at the multiple stages.
He said he also hopes to have an onsite wireless network at
this year’s festival.
“That way you can find your friends,” Sauve said. “There
would be a site map (of the grounds at LeBreton Flats) on your phone and you
can tell your friends ‘Here I am.’”
Tickets for this year’s Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest go on sale a
few days after the April 21 lineup announcement.