Ottawa Folk Fest Day 2: Lorde have mercy!

 

A cool arctic air that surrounded festival goers in Ottawa last night was matched only by the pre-show buzz, which could be felt far and wide as day two of the 2014 Ottawa Folk Fest took flight. I personally have never seen that many music lovers arrive simultaneously to Hogs Back Park, as if in some orchestrated flash mob fashion, and it was clear from the start who everyone came to see…

First up on the main E! stage, it was Wakefield Quebec’s own electro-pop sensation The Strain, paralleled on the adjacent Hill Stage by phenomenal Ottawa folk-pop singer/songwriter Laurent Bourque. Followed shortly thereafter by a world music group from South Italy called Almoraima, blending Eastern Arabic and Andalusian gypsy flamenco.

As darkness, chilled air and the masses continued to pour into the park, Dear Rouge, a Canadian husband and wife duo performed hits from their debut synth-rock EP ‘Heads Up Watch Out’ to warm things up at the RavenLaw stage, along with old-time folk and bluegrass band The Noisy Locomotive down on the Valley Stage.

By 7:55pm the park was jam-packed for the highly anticipated 17 year old New Zealand born “indietronica“ sensation, Lorde performing on the E! mainstage. It was evident from the moment she appeared, that this transcendent performer would not disappoint.

Opening up with a striking rendition of ‘Glory and Gore’ and flowing seamlessly through selections from her multi-platinum 2013 debut album, Pure Heroine. Often taking moments between songs to comment on her impressions of Ottawa, life and love.

The entire 75 minute performance was built around her trade-mark minimalist production, contrasted dramatically with free flowing costume changes, deep bass and programmed beats themed on youth and critiques on mainstream culture. Concluding with hits “Royals,” “Team” and a “A World Alone.”

And with that, all eyes turned to the adjacent RavenLaw Stage to catch the sensational Canadian singer/ songwriter Serena Ryder perform what could only be described as an electric live performance that kept the energy going.

Shortly after Serena Ryder took the stage, Dailey & Vincent, one of Americas top Bluegrass bands jumped in to perform on the Valley stage. Along with performances by Lucky Ron, Jill Zmud, Chrissy Crowley and Sprag Session on the adjacent stages to finish up the nights unparalleled line-up.