Festivals
10 Artists We’re Most Excited to See at Summer Smash 2025
June 20–22 | SeatGeek Stadium, Chicago, IL
It’s the seventh year of Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash, and the lineup feels like something out of hip-hop fan fiction. Future is headlining. Don Toliver and Yeat are forming a duo (?!). And Young Thug is making a long-awaited comeback that’ll probably go down in festival history. This is one of those “don’t miss it” kind of years.
We went through the lineup and picked 10 sets we think will be the talk of the weekend. Whether you’re here for the hits, the chaos, or the surprises, these are the artists you’ll want to catch.
Young Thug
Young Thug hasn’t performed live in years, and after all the legal noise, he’s finally back. His first post-jail performance is going down in Chicago, and there’s no doubt the energy is going to be off the charts.
Thug’s catalog is deep, weird, beautiful, and just plain fun. From “Lifestyle” to “Hot” to his newer features with Lil Baby and Carti, there’s so much he could pull from. Expect surprises. Expect emotion. Expect a crowd that knows every single word.
Don Toliver & Yeat (World Debut as a Duo)
This is brand new territory. Don Toliver and Yeat teaming up for a full joint set is not something we had on our 2025 bingo card. It’s an odd pairing on paper—Don’s smooth, Yeat’s chaos—but that’s exactly why we want to see how it plays out.
Don brings the melodies, the vibes. Yeat brings the alien energy and viral slang. If they’ve got unreleased music together (which, let’s be honest, they probably do), this set could be the birth of something big—or at least weird and fun.
Future
Few artists can command a festival stage like Future. He’s a headliner in every sense—hits for days, that hypnotic voice, and a catalog that spans club anthems to heartbreak bangers.
You know the crowd’s going to go feral the second “March Madness” drops. Or “Mask Off.” Or anything from DS2. Future doesn’t need much to own a stage. Just hand him a mic, hit play, and let the crowd go off.
Sexyy Red
Sexyy Red is pure fun. Her music’s blunt, her delivery is bold, and she has that wild charisma that makes everything feel like a party. She’s not afraid to get a little messy with it, and fans love her for that.
If you’ve seen any clips of her live shows, you already know: this is not a chill set. It’s a twerk-a-thon, a scream-along, a good time.
Lil Yachty
Yachty’s been on a wild evolution the last few years. From colorful trap kid to psychedelic rocker to full-on experimental weirdo, he’s doing whatever he wants—and it’s working.
He still knows how to bring the hits (“Minnesota,” “Broccoli,” “iSpy”), but if we’re lucky, he’ll throw in some Let’s Start Here material or one of those moody guitar-heavy tracks. His stage presence has only gotten better with age.
Saba
Saba is one of Chicago’s finest, and this hometown set is going to feel special. He’s not the flashiest artist on the lineup, but he’s one of the most thoughtful. His bars hit home, and his live band usually brings a whole other level.
If you want something more grounded after the high-octane chaos, this is the set to hit. It’ll still be lively, but in that “hold-your-chest-and-nod-your-head” kinda way.
Ski Mask the Slump God
Ski Mask is pure adrenaline. His flow is rapid-fire, his beats slap, and he moves like he’s powered by energy drinks and anime references. If you’re trying to rage, this one’s non-negotiable.
He’s been quiet on the release front lately, so there’s hope we’ll get some new material too. Either way, expect pits, weird dance moves, and a whole lot of yelling.
NLE Choppa
Choppa’s energy is unmatched. He’s the kind of performer who’s jumping into the crowd before the first chorus even hits. His songs are rowdy, catchy, and built for live shows.
He’s also leaned more into wellness and spirituality recently, which makes for an interesting contrast—he might start his set with yoga and end it with “Shotta Flow.” We’re here for all of it.
TiaCorine
TiaCorine brings that offbeat, genre-bending vibe that breaks up the lineup in the best way. She’s playful, unpredictable, and low-key one of the most stylish artists out right now.
Her songs can flip between cute and chaotic in the same breath, and she knows how to work a crowd. It’s gonna feel like a glitchy anime rave..
Chance the Rapper
Chance showing up as a “special set” feels like a wink to the city. He’s been quieter in recent years, but when he shows out in Chicago, it’s always love. His early stuff still hits like nostalgia, and Coloring Book will always be a crowd favorite.
What makes this set exciting is the mystery. Will he bring out guests? New music? A full-band gospel explosion? Whatever it is, it’ll be something personal—and something the city shows up for.
See you in Chicago. Bring water. Leave the weak shoes at home.
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!
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Metric
The FIFA Fan Festival™ in Vancouver continued to deliver a mix of football and live music on June 26, bringing fans together for another packed day at the waterfront. Throughout the afternoon and evening, supporters gathered to watch World Cup matches on the giant screens, including Japan vs. Sweden, and New Zealand vs. Belgium.
The festival schedule also featured performances from DJ Brownsugar, Ozomatli, DJ Rita Spirit, Yukon Blonde, Broken Social Scene, and Metric, giving visitors plenty of reasons to stick around after the final whistle.
We were there to photograph Metric, who closed out the night with a memorable performance. Despite the late start, the amphitheatre was completely full, with fans eager to catch one of Canada’s most recognizable alternative rock bands. The crowd’s energy never dipped, proving that a late-night set was no obstacle for concertgoers who had spent the day celebrating football and music.
Metric rewarded the audience with a polished, high-energy performance that had fans singing along from the opening song through the encore. Their mix of driving guitars, synth-heavy melodies, and Emily Haines’ unmistakable vocals made for a fitting finale to another successful day at the FIFA Fan Festival, where live music and the excitement of the World Cup continued to go hand in hand.
Check our our favourite photos of the show below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
METRIC
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer