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Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 Day 2

Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 Day 2 Review: Limp Bizkit, Cypress Hill and Festival Highlights

Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 Day 2 was easily my most anticipated day of the entire festival. With Limp Bizkit and Cypress Hill leading the lineup, I knew it was going to be a memorable one. Thankfully, the weather cooperated this time around. After the rain on opening day, the hot sunshine made for a completely different atmosphere as fans poured through the gates and the grounds filled up quickly. From local openers to legendary headliners, every stage seemed to have something special happening throughout the day.

Starting Loud with SexBandit

SexBandit kicked things off on the LeBreton Stage with one of the most unforgettable introductions of the day, walking out to “shut your bitch ass up.” It immediately got laughs from the crowd and set the tone for a performance that refused to take itself too seriously.

The band backed up the humour with plenty of energy, led by a powerful vocalist who commanded the stage from the opening moments. Learning that her husband was also part of the band added another fun detail to an entertaining start that got Day 2 rolling in style.

F!th Brings the 2000s Back

Local favourites F!th were the perfect follow up, delivering an energetic set that instantly brought back memories of early 2000s rock.

Their music had that unmistakable Tony Hawk soundtrack and high school skate video feel, making them an ideal opener on a night headlined by Fred Durst. It was a fun reminder of just how much local talent Ottawa continues to produce.

My Son The Hurricane Turns Heads

If there was an award for the biggest surprise of the day, My Son The Hurricane would have taken it. Stepping onto the Hard Rock Stage with an army of musicians that included a full brass section, they immediately turned heads and had people wandering over to see what all the excitement was about.

Their infectious blend of horns, powerful vocals, and nonstop energy made them the perfect band to kick off the festival. Within minutes, the crowd had grown into a sea of dancing fans, proving Bluesfest could not have picked a better act to set the tone for the afternoon.

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Alicia Kayley Creates an Intimate Moment

Alicia Kayley opened the Barney Danson Theatre with a performance that felt personal, honest, and perfectly suited for the intimate venue.

Every musician on stage had the chance to shine, showcasing impressive musicianship while complementing one another beautifully. The quieter setting allowed the audience to fully appreciate the emotion behind every song, creating an experience that felt more like sharing music with friends than simply watching a concert.

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Miko Marks Delivers Soul

Representing Oakland, California, Miko Marks brought a soulful Southern gospel feel to the tent stage that immediately connected with the audience.

Her rich vocals and warm stage presence kept the crowd engaged throughout the performance. It was exactly the kind of set that fit the festival atmosphere and kept the energy flowing between the day’s larger performances.

Cypress Hill Brings the Nostalgia

One of the biggest crowds of the day packed in front of the main stage as Cypress Hill prepared to perform. As soon as B Real and the band walked on stage, the atmosphere exploded and the energy never let up.

Despite the summer heat, the group sounded fantastic while delivering hit after hit. Seeing classics like Rock Superstar, Insane in the Brain, and Jump Around close out the performance brought back plenty of nostalgia and made this one of the standout moments of Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 Day 2.

Hank Azaria Steps Beyond Springfield

Most people recognize Hank Azaria as the legendary voice behind Moe from The Simpsons, but seeing him perform live with The EZ Street Band was something completely different.

After opening with their first song, Azaria treated fans to several iconic voices from the show before diving back into a mix of Bruce Springsteen classics and original material. The performance blended comedy, nostalgia, and rock and roll into a polished set that had smiles across the audience from beginning to end.

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Gwenifer Raymond Lets the Guitar Speak

Gwenifer Raymond delivered one of the most unique performances of the entire festival. Without singing a single lyric, she captivated the audience through extraordinary guitar playing filled with technical precision and genuine emotion.

Every song felt like a story being told through the instrument alone. It was impossible not to appreciate the talent on display, and it is easy to picture her performing on one of Bluesfest’s larger stages in the future.

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Steve Earle Keeps It Simple

Steve Earle closed the tent stage with a huge crowd gathered to watch the legendary songwriter perform. His stage setup was as low key as his personality, allowing the music to remain the focus.

His voice sounded incredible throughout the set, and he offered something for everyone in attendance. Hearing “Copperhead Road” live was a personal highlight, and seeing him perform for the first time was another reminder of the incredible variety Bluesfest brings together every year.

Marc Rebillet Creates Pure Chaos

Marc Rebillet proved he is every bit as entertaining in person as fans have come to expect from his online videos. Somehow, he still managed to exceed those expectations.

Performing in his signature underwear, he built songs completely live while taking suggestions from the audience for beats, effects, and sounds. The crowd became part of the creative process, making every moment feel spontaneous and unique. Add in flames shooting from the stage, and it easily became one of the biggest visual spectacles of the festival.

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Limp Bizkit Delivers the Main Event

The wait was finally over as Limp Bizkit took over the main stage to close out the night. From the opening moments, the band hit with incredible power while Fred Durst did exactly what fans came to see, drawing everyone into every lyric as thousands screamed and sang along.

Wes Borland looked incredible and once again proved just how talented he is. One of the night’s biggest surprises came when Tom Green joined Fred on stage for “Rollin’,” creating a memorable moment that nobody saw coming. Combined with the nonstop fan interaction and a set packed with songs so many of us grew up with, it was everything I had hoped for from the night’s headliner.

Festival Atmosphere

Day 2 showcased exactly why Ottawa Bluesfest continues to stand out as one of Canada’s premier music festivals. The sunny weather brought a completely different energy after the previous day’s rain, and fans packed the grounds early to catch performances across every stage. From intimate acoustic moments inside the Barney Danson Theatre to brass driven dance parties, soulful gospel, legendary hip hop, classic country rock, experimental live looping, and a massive nu metal finale, there truly was something for everyone throughout the day.

Final Thoughts

Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 Day 2 lived up to every expectation I had going into the festival. It featured the performances I had been looking forward to most while introducing me to artists I might not have discovered otherwise. From the incredible surprises throughout the afternoon to an unforgettable finish with Limp Bizkit, it was a day that perfectly captured what makes Bluesfest such a special experience year after year.

http://ottawabluesfest.ca/