Festivals
10 Artists We’re Most Excited About at Sea.Hear.Now 2025
Every year, Sea.Hear.Now Festival brings an incredible mix of rock, alternative, and indie acts to Asbury Park, New Jersey—and 2025 is no different. With a lineup led by Blink-182, Hozier, LCD Soundsystem, and Alabama Shakes, plus a stacked roster of legendary and rising artists, this festival is shaping up to be unforgettable.
Here are 10 artists we’re most excited about and why we can’t wait to see them perform.
1. Blink-182
Pop-punk legends Blink-182 are back and bigger than ever. With their 2023 reunion album One More Time… marking the return of Tom DeLonge, they’ve been riding high on nostalgia and new bangers. Their 2025 tour has been a massive success, proving they still own the stage.
Why you should see them: It’s Blink-182! Their live shows are packed with energy, inside jokes, and mosh pits. Expect a mix of classics like “All The Small Things” and newer anthems that hit just as hard
2. Hozier
The Irish singer-songwriter is fresh off his Unreal Unearth tour, and fans are still buzzing from his “Too Sweet” single topping the charts. His blend of folk, blues, and poetic lyricism makes his performances nothing short of magical.
Why you should see them: If you’ve ever heard “Take Me to Church” live, you know his vocals are otherworldly. Seeing him against the backdrop of the ocean? Pure bliss
3. LCD Soundsystem
James Murphy and company are back with a vengeance. LCD Soundsystem has been teasing new music, and their festival sets always turn into full-blown dance parties.
Why you should see them: Few bands blur the line between rock and electronic music like LCD. If you’re not screaming “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House” at the top of your lungs, are you even at the festival?
4. Alabama Shakes
The return of Brittany Howard and Alabama Shakes is a big deal. After Howard’s solo success, the band is making a powerful comeback.
Why you should see them: Alabama Shakes bring soul, grit, and powerhouse vocals like no other. If they play “Hold On,” prepare for goosebumps
5. Lenny Kravitz
Rock god Lenny Kravitz never slows down. With a new album Blue Electric Light coming this year, he’s ready to bring the funk, soul, and guitar solos we crave.
Why you should see them: Lenny’s live show is a masterclass in cool—expect smooth grooves, iconic fashion, and serious shredding
6. Sublime
Sublime is back with Jakob Nowell, the son of late frontman Bradley Nowell, stepping in on vocals. They’ve been keeping the band’s legacy alive with new tours and projects.
Why you should see them: If you love “Santeria” and “What I Got,” you know their sun-soaked ska-punk vibes will be perfect for a festival by the beach
7. ZZ Top
The bearded rockers haven’t lost a step, and their bluesy, riff-heavy anthems still get the crowd moving.
Why you should see them: Seeing “La Grange” or “Sharp Dressed Man” live is a bucket-list experience. Plus, they prove rock & roll never dies
8. Remi Wolf
Indie pop’s wildest personality is bringing her quirky, high-energy sound to Asbury Park. Her album “Big Ideas” has been making waves, and her live shows are pure joy.
Why you should see them: Expect colorful visuals, killer vocals, and danceable beats. If you need a mid-day serotonin boost, this is the set to catch
9. TV On The Radio
The art-rock legends have been quiet for a few years, but their return to the festival circuit is exciting.
Why you should see them: If they dust off “Wolf Like Me” or “Staring at the Sun,” prepare for a massive, cathartic singalong
10. Public Enemy
Chuck D and crew redefined hip-hop and are still bringing hard-hitting beats and socially charged anthems to the stage.
Why you should see them: Seeing “Fight The Power” performed live is a history lesson and a movement all in one.
With an eclectic mix of rock, hip-hop, punk, indie, and blues, Sea.Hear.Now 2025 is bringing one of its best lineups yet. Whether you’re crowd-surfing to Blink-182, swaying to Hozier, or grooving to Lenny Kravitz, there’s something for everyone.
See you at Asbury Park!
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.