Ottawa’s Iconic RBC Bluesfest is one of Canada’s largest and most loved music festivals, now in its 26th year. COVID-19 has most certainly affected large-scale outdoor music events around the world and RBC Bluesfest had to shift gears fast, cancelling its 10-day open air event early on in the pandemic. But to keep the RBC Bluesfest brand in the minds of Ottawa’s devoted music fans and to celebrate the reawakening of live music, the charitable organization planned a drive-in event as restrictions on outdoor gatherings were relaxed.
RBC Bluesfest partnered with the National Arts Centres Canada Performs program and Facebook to put on a two-weekend, five-night live event at Gatineau/Ottawa’s ZIBI development at Chaudière Falls near the traditional site for the festival. The event was called Canada Performs at the Bluesfest Drive-in and featured an all-Canadian line-up including among others Basia Bulat, Patrick Watson, Sam Roberts Band, Asuquomo, Lyle Odjick & The Northern Steam, Nambi & The Rhythm, Tim Hicks, Amanda Rheaume, Blakdenim, Elijah Woods X Jamie Fine and others.
Music fans could remain in their cars, or stand outside in their designated bubble space and enjoy live music on two stages with three jumbo-tron television screens and broadcast FM in their cars. During the time of COVID, Bluesfest is always trying new ways to keep live music, … well… alive.
Aerographics created a series of social media posts and videos to help music fans understand the the COVID protocols in place for Bluesfest at the Drive-in as well as featuring the talented line-up of exciting Canadian artists.
