One of the biggest music festivals in the country begins tonight at LeBreton Flats, as Ottawa Bluesfest starts its 19th year.
Organizers said they’re going with more electronic acts this year, with Tiesto and Skrillex headlining the main stage and a stage dedicated mostly to electronic artists.
The head of the festival said the lineup will still appeal to all music fans.
"There's about something for everybody if you like John Mellencamp or Nickelback or if you're an electro fan,” said Mark Monahan. “There is something for all those audiences."
Even some of the artists said they're excited to experience some new sounds.
"I don't know anything about electronic music and that kind of thing, but I'm going to be curious and go check it out tonight," said Alan Doyle, the lead singer of Great Big Sea who's performing solo on Wednesday.
"Maybe I'll like it, maybe I won't, but that's what a good festival's for - to get exposed to stuff you wouldn't normally see."
Other headliners include Norah Jones, Iron Maiden, Snoop Dogg and Metric, with about 200 artists spread across five stages and 12 nights.
However, it's not just the biggest of big names that are expected to draw over 20,000 people a day and bring in at least $30 million to the city's economy.
"I'm planning on going to see Beirut for sure," said one festivalgoer.
"I'm planning to go see Souljazz Orchestra on July 14," said another.
Opening night Wednesday starts at 6 p.m. and features Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Billy Bragg, Doyle and Tiesto as the headliner.
A new, welded steel main stage is being used after last year’s stage collapsed while Cheap Trick played.
Organizers also have a meteorologist on hand to help better predict storms like the one that blew through July 17 of last year, knocking that stage over and injuring three people.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Claudia Cautillo
