Blue Rodeo, Allison Russell & Aysanabee at Budweiser Stage

25th Annual Blue Rodeo Takeover

All the folks here at The Budweiser Stage, located right in the middle of downtown Toronto, are so excited to welcome Blue Rodeo to the stage for their annual takeover of their hometown and a weekend of Canadian Country in the city. This year the day-long showcase will feature support from Allison Russel and Aysanabee, in what is sure to be a super special, once in a lifetime showcase of up and coming talent and legends of the country music scene that we all will love and adore. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the mini festival, so there’s no telling who or what we can expect as the crew celebrates a quarter century. But what we do know - it’s going to be a cracking good time.

Blue Rodeo formed right here in Toronto back in the early 80s, determined to bring country to the cold hearted city that sometimes gets overlooked for its country cousins just south of the border. After highschool friends and future bandmates Jim Cuddy and Greg Keeler moved to New York City to progress their music careers, and found the other band mates while exploring the concrete jungle. They released their first album Outskirts in 1986, and after a few months of low traction - the album finally broke through to the mainstream. Garnering the crew their first multi platinum hit, and seeing them tour all across the country shortly after. Stardom followed, and Blue Rodeo made a name as the hottest Canadian Country Crew coming up back in the 90s. Now, with multiple albums, movies, and Canadian Hall of Fame awards on their accolades lists, Blue Rodeo is satisfied with playing where and as they please - and putting on shows that showcase the newest talent in the genre for the people of Toronto. 

Coming to the stage on the same night is Allison Russel and Aysanabee, two folk and country singers with Canadian blood and international fame for their talent. Their music is slow yet energetic, cinematic, and above all a very good tunes to dance or cry to - or both if you want! We know they’re going to bring that heat to start the show, so make sure to get to the stage early!

An amazing and legendary act putting on their 25th annual show at Budweiser - featuring new and contemporary talents in Country sound - why wouldn’t you want to go?! Trust us, you’ll want to get your tickets before they sell out - so grab yours right now, and tell your friends, too! We’ll see you there, on Saturday August 23rd!