After much anticipation and speculation, the Ottawa Bluesfest unveiled its 2012 festival lineup last night during a fundraising gala taking place at the Canadian War Museum.

This year’s programming definitely offers something for everyone. Many people will say that there isn’t enough blues and that it shouldn’t be this way, but haters are gonna hate. There’s some blues alright, but there’s not much. I do agree that the Bluesfest organizing committee should consider changing the festival’s name to something more encompassing, that being said, the line-up announced yesterday is nothing short of exciting for music lovers.

The organizers are definitely targeting younger audiences this season with the new Electro Stage, which is set to welcome many local talents like Aboriginal DJ-Collective A Tribe Called Red, DJ Illo, DJ Kid SL and DJ Drastik alongside internationally-renowned artists such as MSTRKRFT, Chromeo, and A-Trak. Also included in the electro category are Tiesto and dubstep DJ Skrillex who comes to Bluesfest for the second year in a row, apparently pleasantly surprised by his first performance in the National Capital.

On the hip-hop/r&b side of things, Bluesfest hits hards with headliner Snoop Dogg, also returning for a second time, with Ms. Lauryn Hill, with Canada’s own K’Naan, with beloved newcomer A$AP Rocky and with Tyga.

Other great bookings include Seal, Alice Cooper, Norah Jones, City & Colour, Metric, Sam Roberts Band, Our Lady Peace, 2012 JUNO-favorites The Sheepdogs, and Beirut.

You will probably have guessed that my personal favorite remains The Weeknd, I just can’t help it.

Rest assured though as this is just the beginning with more acts being announced in the coming weeks! Until then, you can view the full schedule on the festival website here. Stay tuned

This is going to be such a great Bluesfest summer! Are we in July yet?