The Sheepdogs at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest 2019, Photo credit: Scott Martin Visuals
One of the saddest crossovers in the Bluesfest schedule this year was Elle King coinciding with The Sheepdogs. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Elle King was unable to perform. The Sheepdogs instead closed the Videotron Stage on July 10th.
The crowd was packed, begging the note that if The Sheepdogs had played the Bluesville stage as originally slotted, it may have been too full, or too fun, depending on what you think of tight crowds.
They started with an impressive one-two of “Who?” and “I’ve Got a Hole Where My Heart Should Be.” If you know those two songs you know they’re bangers, and if you don’t check them out. The Sheepdogs have perfected their songs. They know them inside out and the result is a near flawless performance.
Their bassist in a blue suit was particularly fun to watch, leaning back with his long hair falling and bass high in the air. The Sheepdogs’ energy comes solely from within themselves and their 70s rock mystique and loud guitar music. They don’t have elaborate stage gimmicks or a crazy light show, the entertainment comes from the musicians.
Hailing from Saskatoon, there’s an inevitable element of bluesy country vested deep into their rock and roll tunes, but also an almost The Doors infused layer beneath the harmonies that can be heard in “Ewan’s Blues”
They, of course, played those classic rock sounding tunes as well with all the groove needed in “Nobody.” “I Don’t Know” lit the crowd into repeating their refrain. They commented on the diversity of Bluesfest saying, “You’ve got rapper McDJ over there,” pointing his hand to the direction of the same thumping bass we’d heard from the stage Logic performed on between every song, “and rock and roll guitars over here.” A solid point, and a solid night for lovers of good music at the Videotron Stage.
The Sheepdogs at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest 2019, Photo credit: Scott Martin Visuals