In her second Bluesfest performance in three years, Shania Twain promised a party that would make you forget about the world, and then delivered on it.
Her rousing performance capped off a successful opening weekend for 31st annual edition of Bluesfest. Attendance was strong, problems were few and the weather was consistently hot and humid. The thunderstorms that were predicted Sunday never did produce more than a few drops of rain at LeBreton Flats Park.
It was a big weekend for country fans, with a program that included shows by hot new artists Lainey Wilson, Red Clay Strays and Canada’s Dead South taking place before the return of Twain, one of the biggest country singers of all time.
Backed by a mostly female band and performing for a crowd full of cowgirls, Twain plunged into the pop-rock end of the pool, grabbing attention fast. The country-pop superstar broke out of the starting gate with Rock This Country, giving it an extra rhythmic thump that turned heads across the site.
From there, it was hit after hit, from Don’t Be Stupid to Waking up Dreaming to Up! and I’m Gonna Getcha Good, all ridiculously catchy and played with maximum energy by her skilled band, which included Canadians Kendel Carson on fiddle and Lindsay Ell on guitar.
In a white shirt over black sequined shorts and silver boots, the fit 59-year-old who grew up in Timmins might have missed a note or two in the first couple of songs, but it was forgivable. After all, her multi-tasking was impressive — she not only kept the pace up while singing her lungs out but also connected with fans along the way.
Between tunes, Twain was relaxed and curious as she bantered with some of the most fervent devotees up front, including an engaged couple, a pair of birthday folks and two seven-year-old girls on their fathers’ shoulders.
At Twain’s insistence, the youngsters were ferried up to the stage for a cute and funny exchange with the star, who didn’t immediately remember the lyrics to Brand New, the girls’ favourite song. But with help from a kind soul with a smartphone in the audience, they managed to eke out a few lines.
Twain’s acoustic guitar came out for the love song, Still The One, but when she went for her cowboy hat, the gears shifted again, revving up for a countrified stretch that included Giddy Up! and Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under, followed by a bluegrass breakdown on Honey I’m Home and the rocking Don’t Impress Me Much.
To illustrate the ubiquitous nature of Twain’s material, at one point Shania sang her song, Still The One, at almost the exact same time that Wild Rivers did a cover version of the same song on the River stage. It’s also telling that the DJ at the Crazy Horse tent had her songs on high rotation, too.
Making the Shania experience even more fun was long-time Great Big Sea member Alan Doyle, who proved to be the perfect opener. With his band, the charismatic singer delivered a crowd-pleasing show, balancing the traditional influences of his home province with poignant original songs.
“Let’s get this party started,” he hollered, “Who’s in the mood for a Newfoundland party?”
Pretty much everyone, judging by the way fans sang along and kicked up their heels to Doyle’s feel-good fare. Captain Kidd and Old Black Rum were two of the folky nuggets, while Consequence Free and Ordinary Day showed off his melodic songwriting.
Other highlights of Sunday’s bill included Australia’s rootsy Paper Kites, New Orleans’ gender-fluid rapper Big Freedia and Gatineau trio Leverage For Mountains, who come from the same music scene that produced singer-songwriter Mia Kelly.
Leverage For Mountains got the River stage off to a harmonious start with their tuneful songs. Performing as an acoustic ensemble, without bass or drums, the three young men demonstrated an insightful style of songwriting polished off by their close-knit vocal harmonies.
“We’re from the dark side of the river,” they joked, gesturing to la belle province off in the distance.
With intimate lyrics about finding courage and facing anxiety, as well as finding love in a bar, the songs rang with authenticity, connecting with the audience at the River stage in the same way Crosby, Stills and Nash did a generation or two ago.
One highlight was the crowd singalong that came with the lads’ cover of the Bee Gees’ To Love Somebody, a smart choice that not only united the generations but also lifted spirits.
Bluesfest takes a break on Monday and Tuesday, then roars back to life with Def Leppard headlining Wednesday. The festival runs to July 20 on the grounds of the Canadian War Museum.
