4 January 2014 / #bluesfest Annual 2014 Ottawa Bluesfest rumours and speculation post** UPDATE - MARCH 26: ** The full line-up is out! Here’s an alphabetical list of perfomers…[  ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JPL_7131.jpg) Jim Cuddy performs with Blue Rodeo at the 2012 Bluesfest. It's probably a safe bet to say that Blue Rodeo will be back again for 2014 (although they also have a show in Ottawa on Feb 14 at Canadian Tire Centre). They're a Bluesfest tradition. Photo by [ Jean Labelle. ](http://www.labellephoto.com/)It says something about the continuing popularity of Bluesfest that rumours and speculation about potential performers starts heating up months before the actual event. This year’s Bluesfest runs from July 3-13, 2014. The line-up is expected to be announced before March 26. You can add your suggestions and speculation to the comments below.Some reasonably reliable speculation (and a few confirmations): * On March 25th, a few acts were announced via @BluesfestTAG, including Tokyo Police Club, St. Vincent, Tegan & Sara. Lady Antebellum was also was also officially confirmed. * [ This will be the 20th anniversary of Bluesfest. Will the line-up feature some "best-of" artists from the past two decades? ](https://www.blogger.com/) * A partial list of bands touring eastern North America with gaps in their summer tour schedule include Journey, Lady Gaga and Kings of Leon, Foster the People, Doobie Bros., The Killers, Queen, Rod Stewart, Santana, Justin Timberlake, Billy Joel, Brad Paisley. * Lady Antebellum had [ Ottawa listed as a tour stop on July 6 ](http://ottawastart.com/concerts.php) that's since been removed. Could that be a Bluesfest performance. (Thanks to the anonymous performer who tipped us off on this!) * A 2014 Foreigner concert t-shirt has an Ottawa date listed on July 8. (Possibly playing with Styx.) * (Not Bluesfest - but Bobby McFerrin had an Ottawa date scheduled on his tour list too.) * The Osheaga (Montreal music fest) line-up [ was released on March 11 ](http://www.osheaga.com/) . There's often a lot of cross-over between acts with Bluesfest. * For what it's worth, our anonymous commenters are pretty sure that the line-up will include Beck, Colin James, Steve Earle, Bettye Lavette, Dr. John, Steve Miller Band, Billy Talent, Gaslight Anthem, Sam Roberts, Peter Frampton, Gord Downie & The Sadies. * Aeden Helmer from the Sun [ published this blog post with a wish list of potential artists ](http://blogs.canoe.ca/scene-and-heard/entertainment/bluesfest-wish-list-20-for-2014-part-one/) , including Tom Petty, Beck, David Bowie, and Arcade Fire. * Helmer also wrote [ this post with 20 bands that got their start in 1994 ](http://blogs.canoe.ca/scene-and-heard/entertainment/bluesfest-wish-list-20-for-2014-part-two/) , the same year as Bluesfest. * The Ottawa Citizen published an article in late February titled [ "Let the Bluesfest speculation begin" ](http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Bluesfest+speculation+begin+Gary+Clark+tops+list/9509297/story.html) . Gary Clark Jr. is mentioned, and so are artists playing at the Toronto Urban Roots Festival around the same time: Belle & Sebastian, Neko Case, She & Him and Frank Turner. * The Lumineers were scheduled to play at the 2013 Folk Festival (a sister festival of Bluesfest) but pulled out at the last minute. Maybe they'll make up for the no-show at Bluesfest this year? * I shared this post on the [ Ottawa Bluesfest Fan Page on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/groups/12003971623/10152110678016624/?notif_t=group_comment) , and it generated quite a bit of discussion about artists that fans would like to see. ** See also: ** [ Ottawa Bluesfest Guide ](http://ottawastart.com/bluesfest.php) If you liked this post, you should ** [ subscribe to etcetera ](http://eepurl.com/oSmyr) , ** our free email newsletter. Featuring cool Ottawa events, interesting local news and contests and giveaways. Thanks!