By Marc DesRosiers

The first weekend of Bluesfest 2012 kicked off as a calm and laid back affair in contrast to the previous nights at the festival. David Gray played the Claridge stage, setting the tone which culminated  with vocalist/ guitarist/ songwriter Dallas Green playing the Main Stage; providing the perfect setting for a memorable evening on a hot summer night.

The folk-influenced acoustic sound and introspective melodies resonated with many in the crowd. For anyone who had not yet been taken over by the performance, Dallas Green, standing alone on stage, reached out to the audience, asking them to put their recording devices away and just to try to listen and enjoy themselves.

This was not the first time that City and Colour has graced the stage at Bluesfest. In 2010 they played the Market stage to a audience that converged onto York street in the Byward Market to catch their performance, forcing the street to be closed to traffic as everyone searched for the best vantage point, filling every window and rooftop as far as the eye could see. Dallas Green has also played Bluesfest with his former hardcore band, Alexisonfire.

Playing his first show back in Canada since July 1st and in a true act of patriotism, Green asked the audience to join him in a short Canada Day commemoration as the St. Catharines raised singer-songwriter poured his heart out, playing music from the band’s 3 albums. A fourth City and Colour album is in the works, with a goal to releasing it next year.

City an Colour continues to tour the North America festival circuit, starting with Festival D’ete de Quebec on Saturday July 7th.

Dallas Green of City and Colour performs at the RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest at Lebreton Flats, Ottawa, ON, CAN on July 6th, 2012

Dallas Green of City and Colour performs at the RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest at Lebreton Flats, Ottawa, ON, CAN on July 6th, 2012