Bluesfest, NAC team up for drive-in concert series

Ottawa Bluesfest and the National Arts Centre, both sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic this summer,are teamingup to deliver a series oflivedrive-in concerts, beginningat the end of July.

Headliners Sam Roberts Band, Patrick Watson and Tim Hicksare among theroster of artists who'll be performing on an outdoorstageat the Zibisite in Gatineau, Que., while concertgoersenjoy the music from the comfort and safety of their vehicles.

"We're just happy that we can start to do something that will hopefully lead to a revival of the music industry, which has really been devastated by the pandemic," said Bluesfest founder and executive director Mark Monahan.

Starting July 31, music lovers willbe able to drive to the site on the Ottawa River,park twometers apart, tune in on their car radiosand watch the concert from their vehicles.If physical distancing rules are relaxed by the end of July, concertgoers will be able to sit in lawn chairs beside their vehicles.

The list of confirmed artists includes:

• July 31:Marie-Mai, Donovan Woods, Terra Lightfoot, Julian Taylor, Kellylee Evans.
• Aug.1:Sam Roberts Band, Shad, Haviah Mighty, LeFLOFRANCO.
• Aug.7:Patrick Watson, Basia Bulat, Zaki Ibrahim, Asuquomo, Silla and Rise, Genevieve et Alain.
• Aug.8:Tim Hicks, Kira Isabella, Chris Labelle, Crystal Shawanda, Lyle Odjick & The Northern Steam, Amanda Rheaume.

"We're making sure that we're representing a wide variety of musical genres, emerging and established artists, local and Indigenous artists," said Heather Gibson, the NAC'sexecutive producer of popular music and variety.

Ottawa to get drive-in concerts through Bluesfest, NAC collaboration

4 years ago

Duration 1:12

Mark Monahan, executive director of Ottawa Bluesfest, says Ottawans will be able to park two metres apart and listen to live music from the safety of their vehicles.

Current travel restrictions limited organizers to inviting musicians from Ontario and Quebec, but Gibson saidas rules loosen they hopeto include artists from across the country and add more dates tothe concert series.

"It's a bit of an experiment,there's no template for how to do this," said Monahan, whoimagines theoutdoor concerts as"sort of tailgate party without people actually gathering in large groups."

Forced to cancel his26-year-old summer music festival because of the pandemic,Monahan said he was determined to find an opportunity of bring live music back in a safe environment by workingwith public health officials and following provincial guidelines.

• Gates open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m and endsat 10:30 p.m.
• Concertgoers are encouragedto arriveearly to secure a good parking spot.
• Cost: $75 per vehicle. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be scanned upon entry.
• Tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 23, at 10 a.m.,and can be purchasedhere.