Ottawa country singer Nayana was devastated to learn that her debut Bluesfest performance, a dream gig opening for Sheryl Crow and Ella Langley, was moved up an hour and shortened to accommodate Quebec prog rock sensations Angine de Poitrine on the main stage. The 24-year-old singer-songwriter, known mononymously as Nayana, expressed her disappointment in a tearful TikTok video, saying, 'It just sucks when I was signed a contract and had this planned and I worked so hard to build my show.'
Disruption to a Milestone Performance
Nayana's original slot was set for 6 p.m. on July 17 on the RBC Main Stage, placing the Barrhaven-raised artist before a large country music audience expected for Langley and Crow. The change now forces her to perform earlier, potentially missing her target audience. 'I might not have a million followers, but I know that I had hundreds of friends and family and new fans that I was going to be able to make because I had that slot,' she said in the video. 'I’m an independent artist. I don’t have a team or a manager or anyone to deal with this for me.'
Safety Concerns Behind the Change
Bluesfest boss Mark Monahan explained that the shift was made to avoid overcrowding at the Hard Rock Stage, where Angine de Poitrine was originally scheduled. That stage holds about 5,000 spectators. 'We felt it would be much wiser to put them on the main stage,' Monahan said, 'given the fact that we expect a full house that night and it’s hard for us to predict (which act) the patrons are coming for.' He added, 'We certainly didn’t want to do anything to hurt Nayana. It was done out of safety concerns.'
Festival Lineup and Local Acts
The festival runs from July 9 to 19 at LeBreton Flats Park on the grounds of the Canadian War Museum, featuring headliners such as Cody Johnson, Limp Bizkit, and the Lumineers. A dozen or so Ottawa-Gatineau acts are also on the program. Monahan emphasized the festival's commitment to local talent, noting that local bands are placed on the main stage 'almost every night.'
Nayana's Acceptance and Moving Forward
Though initially upset, Nayana appeared to accept the situation within hours. In a message forwarded to the Ottawa Citizen, she described the original gig as a 'huge deal and milestone in my career,' but concluded it was 'an unfortunate circumstance for me but an understandable one at the end of the day!' She did not make herself available for an interview.
