Country Star Jelly Roll Joins Bluesfest Lineup for Exclusive Performance

Ottawa’s Bluesfest is extending its festivities this year to accommodate a special last-minute addition: Jelly Roll, the Grammy-nominated country-hip hop sensation. Mark Monahan, executive and artistic director of Bluesfest, revealed that the Nashville artist will make his first Canadian concert appearance on July 9, 2024, a testament to his rapidly growing fame.

Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, has been on a meteoric rise since his hit song “Son of a Sinner” topped the charts in 2023. His performance at Bluesfest, alongside Nashville’s hip hop-country act Shabouzey, adds a unique flair to the festival’s lineup. Originally, July 9 was intended as one of the two dark days during the festival, providing a mid-event break for staff and volunteers. However, this new opportunity was too good to pass up.

Monahan explained, “We didn’t have any specific plans, but when this came up, we thought, ‘Geez, we could do this, and it would complement the whole summer event.’ The reality is that everything is there – the stage and all the infrastructure – so it’s not like mounting a concert in a field on a random night. There is some economy of scale, and it gives us a chance to take advantage of the opportunity we’ve been given.”

Negotiations with Jelly Roll’s team began last fall, but initial routing issues prevented a deal. When the artist’s management recently expressed a strong desire to perform in Canada, Bluesfest was their top choice. “They came back to us about six weeks ago and said, ‘Look, we’d really love to come to Canada. Could you do it at Bluesfest?’ We felt it was a great opportunity for us, and we didn’t want to miss out. What I love about it is it just seems to be a great show. We’re confident there’s going to be some interest,” Monahan shared.

A significant draw for Jelly Roll was the guaranteed audience of thousands who already hold full-festival passes. For these fans, the additional day comes at no extra cost. Additionally, Jelly Roll was committed to keeping ticket prices affordable for those without passes. A day pass for July 9 will be $50, or $35 if purchased as part of a three-show package. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday at ottawabluesfest.frontgatetickets.com.

Contrary to some speculation, the extra show is not intended to boost ticket sales. Monahan confirmed that the festival is already on track for one of its best years ever in terms of sales. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Bluesfest, co-founded by Monahan in 1994. The milestone celebration features a star-studded lineup, including rock legend Neil Young with Crazy Horse, hip hop icon 50 Cent, Canadian rockers Nickelback, pop superstars Maroon 5, glam metal band Mötley Crüe, and country artist Tyler Childers, among others.

The festival spans three outdoor stages, one indoor venue at the Canadian War Museum’s Barney Danson Theatre, and two DJ areas: the Accora Village Spin Stage and the new Crazy Horse Saloon.

Bluesfest 2023 set attendance records, with an expanded site, favorable weather, and a program that saw single tickets to three of the festival’s nine nights sell out in advance. Over 300,000 people attended, with notable performances by Shania Twain, the Foo Fighters, and Pitbull with Ludacris.

Don’t miss this exclusive performance by Jelly Roll at Bluesfest. Grab your tickets now and be part of Ottawa’s most exciting summer music festival!