You might not expect a festival with “blues” in its name to deliver much for dance music fans — but this year’s Ottawa Bluesfest is ready to surprise you. One of Canada’s largest and most genre-spanning festivals, Bluesfest returns to Lebreton Flats from July 10–20 with a lineup that brings some of the most exciting names in dance music to the nation’s capital.
A cultural landmark since its founding in 1994, Bluesfest has grown far beyond its blues roots. The 2025 edition features ten days of Canada-forward programming and genre-defying talent, with headliners including Shania Twain, Green Day, Kaytranada, and Hozier. From local gems to international stars, this year’s lineup brings together indie rockers, hip-hop heads, country diehards — and yes, dance music lovers too.
Nexus Radio will be on-site to take it all in — and to spotlight the festival’s beat-driven side throughout the week.
Here are some of the dance acts we’re most excited to catch live:
Kaytranada: Headlining the final night on July 20, the Montreal producer is set to deliver a euphoric send-off with his genre-blurring mix of house, R&B, and hip-hop. Following his 2024 album Timeless, fans can expect a groove-rich set packed with deep basslines, slick transitions, and soulful collaborators both old and new.
Big Freedia: Performing July 13, the Queen of Bounce brings her unmistakable New Orleans energy to the stage. Known for her vibrant stage presence and infectious call-and-response style, Freedia’s recent collaborations with Beyoncé and Kesha have only expanded her reach. Expect a high-octane set full of dance breaks, crowd hype, and pure joy.
Sean Paul: On July 17, global dancehall icon Sean Paul returns with a catalog of timeless hits and festival-tested charisma. Still riding the success of recent singles like “Summa Hot,” he’ll bring the heat with classics like “Temperature” and “Get Busy,” plus new rhythms designed for maximum dancefloor energy.
Local talents: Ottawa natives DJ Doubledown, DJ Kayren, DJ Acro will be bring versatile, high-energy sets that bounce between disco edits, house bangers, and dancehall favorites. They’ll be playing throughout Bluesfest’s 10 day run.
Of course, the rest of the lineup isn’t short on star power either. Hozier (July 11) will surely draw a massive crowd, as will Shania Twain (July 13), who headlines in a rare Canadian festival appearance. Turnstile (July 12) brings hardcore energy with crossover appeal, and The Decemberists, The Paper Kites, and Pixies will resonate with fans of indie, folk, and alt-rock.
Whether you’re there to dance, discover new acts, or catch a legacy artist under the Ottawa skyline, Bluesfest 2025 promises ten days of nonstop music and discovery. Tickets and full lineup details are available now at https://ottawabluesfest.ca.
And be sure to tune back in to Nexus Radio for more exclusive coverage, artist interviews, and behind-the-scenes content of the world’s hottest music festivals.
