300,000-plus music fans welcome Kanye, Iggy, and many other iconic acts to Canada’s capital

From Air Supply and A$AP Ferg to “Weird Al” and Zeds Dead—with hundreds of other acts included in the mix—the 2015 RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa pulled out all stops. The multi-stage, multi-genre event featured more than 220 acts, with world-class representation of every style of modern music—from blues, rock and pop to EDM, indie, and more—and had an estimated 300,000-plus music fans from all walks of life singing the festival’s praises. “It’s been more than 20 years since we launched the ‘fest, and people seem to be enjoying what we’ve been bringing in for them, especially the broader appeal—it’s been an evolution,” says the festival’s executive/programming director Mark Monahan. “It used to be, ‘why are you bringing in EDM or rap, or why country or world music?’ Well, it turns out that a lot of people like a lot of different kinds of music; especially in Ottawa where music fans are very savvy.” The event is not only supported by hundred of thousands of fans, it also boasts 3,500 community volunteers and substantial private- and public-sector support . . . and for good reason. The RBC Bluesfest has established itself as one of the premier festival stops for artists and music fans in North America and generates more than $30 million in economic impact for the region. The 2015 edition of the RBC Bluesfest ran from July 8 - 19.