Festivals
10 Artists We’re Hyped to See at Summer Smash 2024
June 14–16 | SeatGeek Stadium, Chicago, IL
Summer Smash is shaping up to be wild this year. The three-day hip-hop party is taking over SeatGeek Stadium from June 14–16 with a lineup that somehow feels nostalgic, fresh, and chaotic all at once—in the best way possible. You’ve got big returns (Chief Keef), a full-on Cactus Jack takeover (Travis and the whole crew), and a bunch of fast-rising acts worth pulling up early for.
We combed through the lineup and picked 10 artists we’re most excited to see hit the stage. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just showing up for the vibes, these sets are worth circling on the schedule.
Chief Keef
Chief Keef back in Illinois is history. It’s been over ten years since he’s performed in his home state, so this set feels way bigger than just a festival slot. He is Chicago hip-hop. Hearing “Love Sosa” or “I Don’t Like” live, in the city that made him, is gonna shake the ground.
Beyond the legacy, Sosa’s still got it. His newer music keeps that raw edge but feels more refined. Whether you’re day-one or just tapping in now, this is the type of set you’ll tell people you saw in 10 years.
Cactus Jack Collective (Travis Scott, Don Toliver, SoFaygo, Sheck Wes, Chase B, Luxury Tax, WondaGurl)
This isn’t just a set, it’s an entire Cactus Jack summit. Travis headlining would be enough, but having Don Toliver, SoFaygo, Sheck Wes, and the rest of the crew on stage together will be chaos in the best way. Expect energy through the roof and probably a mosh pit or five.
Travis knows how to put on a show—from pyro to stage design to surprise guests. Add Don’s smooth vocals, Sheck Wes screaming “Mo Bamba,” and SoFaygo’s melodic trap into the mix, and you’ve got a stacked performance that’ll probably blow up your IG feed.
Flo Milli
Flo Milli brings confidence like it’s on tap. Her music is playful, sharp, and perfect for screaming with your friends in a crowd. Songs like “Conceited” and “Beef FloMix” go crazy live, and her delivery hits hard every time.
She’s carved out her own space in the rap scene—part Southern charm, part boss energy. Flo’s set is going to be a fun one. Expect bright outfits, hilarious banter, and a whole lot of quotable lines.
Denzel Curry
Denzel is a livewire on stage. His shows are all-out workouts, with mosh pits and yelling and a whole lot of sweat. But don’t get it twisted—he’s technical too. The guy can rap. Fast, precise, and with purpose.
What’s great about a Denzel set is that it’s unpredictable. He might throw in a throwback, flip the vibe into something emotional, or just go full Super Saiyan. Either way, it’s gonna slap.
JID
JID doesn’t waste a syllable. His flow is nuts, and the way he flips words over beats is something you really have to see live to appreciate. He brings that same energy to the stage without losing breath, which is wild.
He’s got songs that hit different live—“Off Deez,” “Surround Sound,” and his features with Dreamville always go off. Expect a thoughtful, high-energy set that hits your head and your chest.
That Mexican OT
If you’re not already tuned into That Mexican OT, fix that now. He’s bringing Texas heat and charisma to Summer Smash, and his flow is just fun. Bouncy, quick, a little country, a little cartel. He doesn’t sound like anyone else on the lineup.
He’s got bars but doesn’t take himself too seriously. The crowd’s gonna love him. Don’t be surprised if his set turns into a party with boots stomping and people two-stepping in the pit.
Ken Carson
Ken Carson makes music that makes you want to throw your phone and start a circle pit. He’s part of the Opium crew (Playboi Carti’s label), and his sound fits the aesthetic—dark, chaotic, and loud.
Live, it’s all about the vibe. His set’s gonna be fast-paced and probably kinda violent in the pit. If you’re into rage beats, distorted vocals, and full-throttle energy, don’t miss it.
Mick Jenkins
Mick’s the calm in the storm of the festival—but don’t confuse that with boring. His wordplay is sharp, and his beats hit deep. He’s a Chicago native too, so this is another hometown set that’ll probably get a warm welcome.
His music touches on everything from politics to personal growth, and he manages to sound cool doing it. Expect a thoughtful set with just enough edge to keep you locked in.
BIA
BIA has serious stage presence. Her songs are sleek, icy, and built for flexing. Whether it’s “WHOLE LOTTA MONEY” or “London,” her delivery feels effortless but still hits hard.
She’s got that it-girl energy and knows how to control a crowd. You’ll want to be front row for this one—part fashion show, part rap clinic, all cool.
BabyTron
BabyTron’s bars are fast, punchy, and packed with jokes. He raps over the weirdest samples and somehow makes it all work. It’s smart, it’s funny, and his fans know every word.
His set will probably feel like a giant meme come to life—in the best way. If you want something a little offbeat but still high-energy, BabyTron’s your guy.
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Shakey Graves & Grayson Repp
On June 28, the FIFA Fan Festival™ in Vancouver wrapped up the day with an atmosphere that will be remembered for years. Just after Canada defeated South Africa in dramatic fashion, scoring a last-minute winner to book its place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in the country’s history, supporters stayed at the festival ready to celebrate.
The amphitheatre was packed from the moment the music began, and the energy never faded. Fans dressed in red and waving Canadian flags carried the excitement of the match, turning every performance into part of the day’s celebration.
American folk-rock artist Shakey Graves delivered a captivating set that balanced laid-back storytelling with energetic moments. His blend of blues, folk, and Americana fit perfectly with the summer evening, and the crowd responded warmly throughout the performance.
On the Park Stage, Grayson Repp brought his own style to the festival with an engaging performance that drew a steady audience dancing to classics celebratory songs. Together, the two artists provided a fitting soundtrack to a day already filled with unforgettable memories.
Check our our favourite photos of the show below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
SHAKEY GRAVES
GRAYSON REPP
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
The 8 Artists We’re Most Excited to See at OSHEAGA 2026
The wait is almost over, Osheaga 2026 is finally just around the corner! Every year, Montreal’s biggest music festival prides itself as one of North America’s most compelling festival lineups, blending together arena headliners, rising stars, nostalgia bands, international acts, and homegrown talent into a single weekend at Parc Jean-Drapeau. With previous year acts including Chappell Roan, Tame Impala, Billie Eilish, and Muse, to name a few, the 19th edition of the festival continues that tradition. The weekend will blend together pop, electronic music, indie-rock and more, all into a weekend you do NOT want to miss!
While this year’s 89 artists lineup is stacked with anticipated sets, there are a handful of artists that stand out as particularly intriguing. Some arrive with a “set in stone” reputation as incredible live performers, while others have the potential to emerge as the festival’s breakout discovery. Together, they represent the diversity that makes Osheaga such a thrilling experience, leaving you to truly never know when you’ll discover your next favourite artist!
So, with that being said, here are 8 artists we’re the most excited to see at Osheaga 2026:
1. WET LEG
In just a few years, Wet Leg has gone from an indie-rock breakout act to a reliably entertaining live band, capturing the attention of anyone who has an interest in “tongue in cheek” lyricism, and powerful stage presences. The English indie-rock band, with an astonishing 3.5M monthly listeners, has built a solid reputation with their witty lyrics and high-energy performance.
With festival staples such as “Wet Dream”, “CPR”, and “mangetout”, their Friday mid-day set is sure to be filled with a balance of infectious choruses and self-aware lyrics that their fanbase knows and loves. Having recently played Toronto’s All Things Go music festival, the band has
successfully shown their performance style is energetic and consistent, making their 4:40pm slot at the Bell River Stage a definite must-see.
2. EMPIRE OF THE SUN
Closing out the Scotia Forest Stage on Saturday at 9:40pm, Empire Of The Sun is one of the sets we’re most excited for this year. The Australian band have spent years perfecting a signature mix of electropop and psychedelic dance, leaving fans with the perfect soundtrack to their summer. They’ve worked with other well-known artists, including Mac Miller for “The Spins”, which uses samples from their own song “Half Mast”, and Wiz Khalifa on “The Thrill.” Their performances are known to be filled with elaborate costumes and a theatrical stage design, creating an immersive spectacle that is a perfect way to close your Saturday night.
Although, unfortunately, Empire Of The Sun is playing at the same time as pop icon and headliner Tate McRae, this feels like a worthy sacrifice to make! The band already creates entire worlds with their music, performances, and costumes, and seeing that transformation in a festival-sized crowd will be such a unique experience, and one you surely won’t forget.
3. LORDE
If you’re anywhere other than at the set of Day 3’s headliner, can you really say you went to Osheaga? We were so happy to hear that Osheaga 2026’s Sunday headliner is Lorde. Lorde is a sure feature on any indie or alternative lover’s playlist, with songs like “Buzzcut Season”, “Green Light”, and “What Was That.”
With quite a handful of headlining festival stops, Lorde’s distinct vocal style and live performance balances emotional intimacy with striking visuals, creating cinematic music that many find themselves relating to. She has an undeniable stage presence, and her festival setlist showcases the full range of her discography, playing many songs from “Pure Heroine”, “Melodrama”, and of course, her newest album, “Virgin.” So, we better be seeing you at the Bell River Stage at 9pm!
4. MICO
Among the many emerging artists on the lineup, few represent the next generation of Canadian alt-pop quite like MICO. The Toronto-based singer and songwriter has steadily built momentum through emotionally direct songwriting and a sound that blends contemporary pop with alternative influences. His music, with songs like “HOMESICK” and “TV”, explore themes of identity, anxiety, relationships, and self-discovery, connecting with a rapidly growing audience that sees their own experiences in his work. Osheaga will not be the first time MICO has played in Montreal.
With his first performance here at Bar Le Ritz in 2023, following a show at Petit Campus the same year, and two at Le Studio TD in 2025, MICO has already established a loyal fanbase in Montreal. I was lucky enough to have attended all of these past shows, and will absolutely not be missing his Osheaga debut! MICO’s set has the potential to be one of the weekend’s most significant breakout performances, don’t you want to say you saw him before he became famous?
5. ZARA LARSSON
By now, anyone up to date on pop-culture has seen the adorable videos of young fans doing the “Lush Life” dance all over TikTok, and now, Sunday Osheaga attendees have the chance to see it in person at Zara Larsson’s set from 6:40pm-7:40pm on the Bell River Stage. Although she’s been in the music game for awhile, the Swedish singer had quite a unique rise to fame.
Following her “summer-aesthetic” rebrand, her song “Symphony” was popularized by the dolphin jumping meme that seemingly everyone has seen, and has even been incorporated into her performance of the song. Her collaboration on “Stateside” by PinkPantheress went viral after figure skater Alysa Liu used it in her Olympics 2026 performance, and her 2025 release of the single “Midnight Sun” became an instant summer anthem. Her set will definitely be one of the most popular of the weekend, and is sure to be THE way to start your summer. Zara Larsson’s songs and stage presence is built for festivals, leaving her set as one we’re most looking forward to!
6. WOLF PARADE
Before the weekend is over, make sure you make time in your schedule for Montreal’s own Wolf Parade. Few bands have left such a lasting mark on the city’s indie rock legacy, and their live performances strongly represent Montreal’s music scene with pride. Wolf Parade is no stranger to the Osheaga stage, as they were on the lineup for Osheaga’s very first edition in 2006, and made a return in 2016. 10 years from then, you will surely want to celebrate both their hometown roots and their enduring influence on Canadian music with them.
Expect an indie-rock and post-punk set, delivered with the raw energy and emotional intensity that have defined the band for more than two decades. Whether you’re revisiting old favourites or discovering them for the first time, this is one performance that deserves a spot at the top of your festival schedule, so don’t miss them on the Bell River Stage on Saturday at 3:20pm
7. DJ TRIXIE MATTEL
Trixie Mattel has become a widely successful and influential figure within nightlife and queer culture, transforming DJ performances into events that blend music, humour, pop culture references, and an unmistakable sense of fun, making her a perfect slot on Osheaga’s Sunday lineup.
Trixie Mattel first rose to fame on season 7 of Rupaul’s Drag Race, and continued that growth during her return on Rupaul’s Drag Race: All Stars season 3 (where she won!), and through her YouTube show “UNHhhh”, with fellow Drag Race contestant, Katya. Her DJ sets are eccentric, cheeky, and full of laughs, making it one of the most unique sets you’ll see on the Osheaga stage this year, so we’re certainly not going to miss her set on the Coca-Cola Island Stage at 5:25pm.
8. TWENTY ONE PILOTS
Finally, THE set we are not missing this Osheaga is Friday’s headliner, Twenty One Pilots! The Columbus-based duo, now on their “Breach Tour” festival run, will have one of the most theatrical and high-energy performances of the weekend. They are another act that has graced the Osheaga stage before, with a performance back in 2015, when they first started to make a name for themselves. Seamlessly combining elements of alt-rock and pop, the band has formed a dedicated fanbase, and has established themselves as one of the biggest rock bands of the past decade. With a festival setlist filled with classics such as “Stressed Out” and their newest song to gain fame, “Drag Path”, to lesser-known gems such as “Tally” and “One Way”, their closing set on the Bell River Stage at 9:05pm is one of the most anticipated of the weekend.
One of the factors that makes their festival set so successful is their ability to involve the crowd, no matter how far back you are. From multiple crowd stands, to fan-chants and a lead singer who can’t help but run through the crowd, you’re sure to be engaged every second of their set, so don’t miss this one, because we certainly won’t!
With that being said, there is no doubt that the 19th edition of Osheaga has once again succeeded in cultivating a stellar lineup that satisfies any music taste. Whether it’s the arena-sized perfection of a Twenty One Pilots performance, the indie-rock precision of Wet Leg and Wolf Parade, the visual spectacle of Empire of the Sun, or the rising star behind MICO, these sets are certain to be highlights of the weekend, and defining factors of Osheaga 2026 as a whole. So, gather your friends and put together your schedule on the Osheaga app, and make sure these artists are there, you won’t want to miss them!
Head to Osheaga’s website for more information!