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
Osheaga 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule
The annual ritual every Osheaga fan both loves and dreads has arrived. The festival has officially unveiled its daily schedule for the 2026 edition, giving attendees their first look at who will be playing when across Parc Jean-Drapeau from July 31 to August 2.
As always, the release of set times brings excitement, anticipation, and plenty of scheduling headaches. With major headliners, breakout stars, indie favourites, and hometown talent spread across six stages, fans will once again be forced to make some difficult decisions throughout the weekend.
Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest moments and potential conflicts from each day.
Friday, July 31
Friday eases festival-goers into the weekend before building toward a stacked evening lineup led by Twenty One Pilots, The XX, and The Neighbourhood on the Bell River Stage.
The day begins with performances from Super Plage, Wunderhorse, Wet Leg, and Moses Belanger before momentum picks up in the afternoon. One of the first notable clashes arrives when Kehlani takes the Mountain Stage while Amber Mark performs on the Forest Stage and Billie Marten appears on the Valley Stage.
The evening presents some particularly difficult choices. Fans of alternative rock will have to decide between The XX and rising Japanese sensation YOASOBI, whose set overlaps with portions of the night.
Another major conflict comes later when Brutalismus 3000 and JID perform simultaneously. Those looking for a high-energy electronic experience may head toward the Coca-Cola Stage, while hip-hop fans will likely be making a run toward the Valley Stage.
The festival’s opening night closes with Twenty One Pilots on the main stage, while Geese and Amelie Lens provide compelling alternatives elsewhere across the site.
Friday Highlights
- Twenty One Pilots
- The XX
- The Neighbourhood
- Kehlani
- YOASOBI
- JID
- Amelie Lens
- Wet Leg
- Wunderhorse
- Geese
Saturday, August 1
Saturday may feature the weekend’s most relentless run of performances from top to bottom.
The day starts with sets from Baby Nova, Wolf Parade, Stella Lefty, Laura Scavo, and Fanclubwallet before quickly transitioning into a packed afternoon. Fans of indie and alternative music will have several choices throughout the day, including Villager, Kingfishr, and AJ Tracey.
One of the day’s biggest talking points will be the overlap between Little Simz, followed by Franz Ferdinand’s set. Both artists are expected to draw large crowds and appeal to different corners of the Osheaga audience.
As night falls, things only get tougher. Punk fans will likely gravitate toward Viagra Boys and Turnstile, while electronic fans may be tempted by Odd Mob and Kettama. Meanwhile, indie pop fans will be trying to squeeze in as much of Sombr as possible before heading to the main stage.
The evening culminates with Canadian pop superstar Tate McRae closing the Bell River Stage, while electronic powerhouse Empire of the Sun headlines the Forest Stage.
Saturday Highlights
- Tate McRae
- Empire of the Sun
- Turnstile
- Franz Ferdinand
- Little Simz
- Viagra Boys
- Wolf Parade
- AJ Tracey
- Sombr
- Kettama
Sunday, August 2
The festival’s final day delivers arguably the strongest collection of pop talent across the entire weekend.
Things begin with Valley, Amble, Between Friends, and Tia Wood before the afternoon ramps up with performances from Mother Mother, Paris Paloma, Billie du Page, and Of Monsters and Men.
One of the biggest scheduling dilemmas of the weekend arrives during the evening stretch. Fans hoping to catch Zara Larsson, SG Lewis, and Gunna will need to carefully plan their route through the grounds, as several of the performances overlap.
The night’s final run is packed with major draws. Lorde headlines the Bell River Stage while Major Lazer closes the Forest Stage. At the same time, electronic fans can head to Space 92’s special Popof-presented Turbo Recordings set, while alternative music fans may find themselves torn between Not For Radio, Horsegiirl, and Subtronics.
Sunday offers a fitting finale to what looks like one of Osheaga’s most diverse lineups in recent memory.
Sunday Highlights
- Lorde
- Major Lazer
- Zara Larsson
- Gunna
- SG Lewis
- Mother Mother
- Of Monsters and Men
- Paris Paloma
- Valley
- Horsegiirl
Start Planning Now
With the daily schedule now available, fans can finally begin mapping out their weekends and preparing for the inevitable conflicts that come with a lineup this deep.
Whether you’re heading to Parc Jean-Drapeau for the headliners, discovering your next favourite artist, or trying to sprint between stages to catch a little bit of everything, Osheaga 2026 is shaping up to deliver another unforgettable weekend in Montreal.
Tickets and additional festival information are available through the official Osheaga website.
Festivals
Riot Fest 2026 Brings Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, and Twenty One Pilots to Chicago
Chicago’s beloved punk and alternative festival, Riot Fest, is back with another stacked lineup for 2026. The three-day event returns to Douglass Park from September 18-20, bringing together more than 100 artists across punk, rock, indie, metal, and alternative music.
Leading this year’s lineup are Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, Twenty One Pilots, and Pierce the Veil. The festival continues its tradition of mixing legendary names with newer acts and cult favorites.
Other major artists on the bill include Patti Smith and her band, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Santigold, Pixies, Rise Against, Bad Religion, Taking Back Sunday, Social Distortion, The All-American Rejects, and Bright Eyes.
Fans of heavier and more chaotic sets will have plenty to look forward to with appearances from GWAR, Chat Pile, Melt-Banana, and Insane Clown Posse. Riot Fest is also bringing together punk history with performances from Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter and Public Image Ltd.
The festival’s deep lineup stretches far beyond the headliners, with artists such as Pennywise, Descendents, Iggy Pop, Mom Jeans, The Format, Twin Peaks, Algernon Cadwallader, This Is Lorelei, and Jejune set to perform throughout the weekend.
Last year’s edition marked Riot Fest’s 20th anniversary, featuring returning favorites such as Green Day, Blink-182, and Weezer. This year’s lineup keeps that same mix of nostalgia, chaos, and genre-spanning energy that has made Riot Fest one of North America’s most recognizable alternative festivals.
Three-day passes are on sale now, including general admission, VIP, and deluxe ticket packages. Payment plan options are available for fans looking to spread out the cost of the weekend.
More information at riotfest.org.