Day 2 of Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 was much more my speed, and judging by the packed festival grounds, I wasn’t the only one feeling that way.
With a lineup celebrating the sounds of the ’90s and early 2000s, thousands of fans descended on LeBreton Flats for a night filled with nostalgia, rock, hip-hop, funk and plenty of unforgettable moments.
Headlining the RBC Main Stage, Limp Bizkit proved they still know how to put on a wildly entertaining show.
The nu-metal icons had the Ottawa crowd fired up from the opening notes of “Hot Dog,” before launching into fan favourites like “Break Stuff,” which turned the front of the crowd into absolute chaos in the best possible way.
Their cover of George Michael’s “Faith” was another highlight, reminding everyone why it became one of the band’s signature songs.
One of the biggest surprises of the evening came when Canadian comedian Tom Green made a guest appearance to help perform “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle).” It was an unexpected and memorable moment that had the audience cheering just as loudly as the band.
Before Limp Bizkit took over, hip-hop legends Cypress Hill delivered an electrifying set packed with classics. Their performance of “How I Could Just Kill a Man,” “Hand on the Pump,” and “When the Shit Goes Down” had fans rapping along word for word.
The unmistakable aroma of cannabis drifted through the crowd during much of their set, creating an atmosphere that felt perfectly fitting for the group’s laid-back West Coast style.
Opening the RBC Main Stage was Ottawa’s own F!TH, who got the festival off to a strong start with an energetic hard rock set that immediately captured the attention of early arrivals.
Over on the Hard Rock Casino Stage, My Son The Hurricane brought an explosion of brass, funk and infectious energy that had the audience dancing from the very first song.
One of the acts I was most looking forward to was Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
Before diving into a set largely dedicated to Bruce Springsteen covers, Azaria delighted the crowd by slipping into several of his famous The Simpsons voices, including Moe Szyslak and Duffman.
It was a fun and humorous introduction that showcased both his musical talent and the voice acting that made him famous.
Closing out the Hard Rock Casino Stage was electronic music sensation Marc Rebillet, whose improvised beats, outrageous personality and high-energy performance kept the party going late into the night.
Meanwhile, the LeBreton Stage featured a diverse lineup that included Sexbandit, Miko Marks, and Americana legend Steve Earle, offering festival goers an excellent mix of country and folk throughout the evening.
Overall, Day 2 of Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 was an incredibly fun and busy night that successfully blended nostalgia with outstanding live performances across every stage.
Whether you came for nu-metal, hip-hop, funk, country or electronic music, there was something for everyone.
Check out the gallery for more photos from Day 2 of Ottawa Bluesfest 2026.
