In the wake of successful inaugural event, tickets for Rockin' Thunder 2026 are now on sale

15-07-2025

Article content
And they'll get a chance to do it all again next summer.
Article content
The event, held at the Exhibition Lands saw two nights of rock music, including Def Leppard, Weezer, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Stone Temple Pilots, Bret Michaels and more.
Article content
CEO of Rockin' Thunder Music Festivals, Troy Vollhoffer, said the event was a big success.
Article content
Article content
'The energy and talent on display this weekend have surpassed our wildest hopes,' said Vollhoffer. 'Seeing the response for this first Rockin' Thunder has us excited to make some huge announcements very soon for 2026.'
Article content
Article content

Hashtags

Entertainment

#Rockin'ThunderMusicFestivals

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Bluesfest Day 5: Def Leppard dishes out the hits, Tom Morello urges resistance

Ottawa Citizen

17-07-2025

Ottawa Citizen

Bluesfest Day 5: Def Leppard dishes out the hits, Tom Morello urges resistance

Article content Def Leppard sent the Ottawa Bluesfest crowd back to the 80s during the hit-packed main-stage concert that kicked off the festival's second week with the city still under a heat warning. Article content The English rockers dished out a full platter of rock-centric radio hits, including Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop), Rocket, Let's Get Rocked, Rock of Ages and more, endearing themselves to the multi-generational crowd of thousands on the plaza in front of the Canadian War Museum at LeBreton Flats Park. Article content Article content Article content Although a steaming mass of humanity packed the front of the stage, conditions further back were tolerable after the sun set and a breeze wafted through the air. Article content Article content On stage, singer Joe Elliott, who's 65, was in fine form, pleased as punch with the turnout to the geezer band's first Bluesfest appearance. He looked over the vast crowd, and gave a wow of amazement. 'Thank you, Ottawa,' he said. 'Thank you very much.' Article content The anthemic crunch of Foolin' was a highlight, partly because it prompted Elliott to recall playing it on their 1983 tour of Canada, when it probably sounded a lot the same as it did Wednesday. The band clearly hasn't lost its polish. Of course, much of that is due to the chemistry of the musicians, who have been together playing the same songs for decades. Singer Elliott and bassist Rick Savage are original members, joined in the 1990s by one-armed drummer Rick Allen, guitarist Phil Collen and guitarist Vivian Campbell, who looked to be in good health after a bout of cancer. Article content Article content Another notable moment was a guest appearance by Tom Morello, who had played an opening set earlier in the evening. He was also the musical director of the recent mega-celebration of Black Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne, which included a contribution from Def Leppard. To mark that connection, Leppard invited their new pal, Morello, to join them for a high-octane spin through Just Like 73. Article content With Def Leppard topping the bill and Morello warming up, it was one of the festival's biggest nights so far in 2025, and a must-see for classic-rock fans. Article content Perhaps the only disgruntled voice of the evening belonged to Colin Meloy, singer of the Portland, OR indie folk-rockers Decemberists. He feared for the quality of the sound on the River stage. Article content 'We're going to do our best to compete with Def Leppard,' he said, referring to the potential for sound bleed from the main stage. For the capacity crowd, sound bleed turned out to be a minor issue during the enjoyable set, although another technical glitch came up and the show was paused to take care of it.

Ottawa Bluesfest is a family thing, too: Sharing a love of music

Ottawa Citizen

17-07-2025

Ottawa Citizen

Ottawa Bluesfest is a family thing, too: Sharing a love of music

Article content On a hot and muggy Wednesday evening, three generations of music fans from Montreal descended onto LeBreton Flats ready to rock out all night at Bluesfest. Article content Joel Perron, son Gabriel Perron and grandson Victor Perron came to watch Def Leppard play on the RBC Stage. Article content Article content All three wore the band's T-shirts as they posed for a photo in front of the food stalls near the festival entrance and held up the sign of the horns. Article content Article content For Joel, this was an opportunity to share his love for the band and to make lasting memories with his family. Article content Article content 'We're here because of a Def Leppard show as three generations of fans who like this group,' Joel said. Article content 'My children listened to this band when they were children, and now it's the same thing for my grandson.' Article content The Perrons were one of many families at Bluesfest on Wednesday night, sharing their love for rock music and live concerts with the younger generation despite the sweltering weather. Article content Some pushed strollers with young children in the main area near the RBC Stage as they filled up water bottles and bought food. Others tried to corral their toddlers to prevent them from getting lost in the crowd. Teens huddled inside the air-conditioned Canadian War Museum and discussed which acts they wanted to see with their parents. Article content 'I think it will be a nice memory for sure. Victor is too young to speak, but I know he will remember the show for sure,' Gabriel Perron said with a smile from ear to ear. Article content Article content Sloane Hilderley-Barr, 6, came to Bluesfest on Wednesday evening with parents Alicia Hilderley and Andrew Barr. It was Sloane's first concert ever. Article content 'Andrew and I have been coming most nights so far, and Sloane was jealous and wanted to come, too, so we're here for her first show tonight. She really likes rock music,' Hilderley said. Article content Barr, who plays in a rock band, said his daughter wanted to see a real live rock drummer. Article content 'We love concerts. We go to a lot. She wanted to be part of it, and we figured it was time,' he said. Article content Article content Sureen Gosal brought his two young sons Arjun Gosal, 6, and Jeevan Gosal, 4, to Bluesfest on Wednesday after he volunteered in its first week. Article content Sureen said he wanted to see Def Leppard, but would be going home with them early because the band's performance was only going to start past the kids' bedtimes. The three of them would instead spend their time exploring the grounds and discovering new artists.

Calgary Herald

15-07-2025

Calgary Herald