Ottawa Bluesfest, Day 1: The Black Keys, Redux

DAY 1: Femi Kuti, Jimmy Eat World, Cat Empire, Grand Funk Railroad, Black Keys

GRADE: B- 

Two years ago, the Black Keys came to Ottawa Bluesfest and were nearly drowned/swept away in a torrential downpour that postponed their show for nearly an hour. Chanting fans finally got their gig away after a furious stage-squeegee-ing, and they proceeded to rock our socks off with a concentrated hour of sound of fury, Black Keys style.

As a result, there was a lot of anticipation for there return to Bluesfest, and the chance to see the Akron, Ohio due with a more diverse setlist. Well, as Thursday broke, the black sky and humidity threatened thunderstorms yet again - "it wouldnt be the Keys at Bluesfest without a thunderstorm," I may have remarked - but we were spared. Weather on Day 1 was fantastic. The sound, unfortunately, wasnt.

Nobody could hear what Dan Auerbach was saying through the first four songs, except for the blasts of feedback and volume as someone presumably fiddled with some knobs somewhere. It was an unacceptable mishap for a veteran band and world-class festival. Even once the sound was sorted out, it never seemed to get loud enough - chants of "Turn it up!" continued throughout the show, and it was a more tense crowd as people talked through the show or sang along loudly, to the chagrin of the surrounding people who COULD ACTUALLY HEAR IT ALL because the band wasnt loud enough.

With that said, it was a great show - despite the audio problems. I expect more, though.

Perhaps something on the lines of the show that ended 15 minutes earlier, when the Cat Empire threw a party for a few hundred people at the small River Stage, their reggae/klezmer/big band/funk style creating much revelry and festivity in the crowd. This show was a lot of fun and sold me on this band as a future live show destination. These Australians (like all Aussies, it seems) know how to have a good time.

Femi Kuti was my festival opener, and his son-of-Africa's-Bob-Marley schtick was both familiar and fresh, with his simple messages of peaceful revolution and taking politics back for the people backed up by three flamboyant dancers and a hint of a Caribbean-style fiesta.

Other shows on this included quintessential rockers Grand Funk Railroad (hearing American Band was a bit of a thrill, thought that's ALL I needed to hear), Bahamas, Jimmy Eat World (I didnt really like them when i was in high school, so...), Alex Clare and Adventure Club, for the E crowd.