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
PNE Summer Night Concerts – Pierce The Veil
By the time Pierce The Veil took the stage at Vancouver’s Freedom Mobile Arch on September 5, the place was packed and the anticipation was impossible to miss. As part of the PNE Summer Night Concerts, the San Diego post-hardcore veterans delivered a set that mixed nostalgia and chaos.
The show opened with “May These Noises Startle You in Your Sleep Tonight” and “Hell Above.” From there, the night barely let up. “Bulls in the Bronx” got the crowd going, followed by “Circles” and “I’m Low on Gas and You Need a Jacket.”
There was plenty for longtime fans, too. “I’d Rather Die Than Be Famous,” “Yeah Boy and Doll Face” and “Floral & Fading” reached back into the band’s catalog, while their cover of the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” provided one of the evening’s fun surprises.
Visually, Pierce The Veil made the most of the outdoor stage. Tony Perry and Jaime Preciado were constantly moving, throwing themselves around the stage with guitars in hand, while drummer Loniel Robinson provided the thunder behind them. At the centre was Vic Fuentes, whose voice still carries the emotional weight that has defined the band since its early days.
The emotional high point came with “Hold On Till May,” a song that has become deeply personal for many fans as phones went into the air and voices rose across the venue. Predictably, the place lost its mind when they ended with “King for a Day.”
After nearly 20 years, Pierce The Veil still know exactly what their music means to their fans. On this night, Vancouver gave that love right back.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
PIERCE THE VEIL
All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts – Train
After almost 10 years away, Train made its highly anticipated return to Vancouver, taking the stage at the PNE as part of the Summer Nights series for an electric night of nostalgia, energy and some of the band’s biggest hits. Nearly 10,000 fans packed the venue to welcome the group back to the city.
With nearly 33 years of performing together, Train proved that its signature sound and undeniable stage presence remain as strong as ever. Currently on the Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere Tour, the band is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its iconic album with a set that served as both a celebration of its enduring catalogue and a reminder of why these songs have remained fan favourites for decades.
Opening with “Calling All Angels,” the band quickly launched into a crowd-pleasing run of classics, including “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Marry Me” and “Drive By.” Throughout the night, the set balanced humour and heart, with frontman Pat Monahan connecting with the crowd and reflecting the warmth and personality that have become synonymous with Train’s live performances.
The night ultimately came full circle with the song that started the 25th-anniversary celebration: “Drops of Jupiter.” As the familiar opening notes rang out across the PNE, nearly 10,000 voices joined in, creating a fitting finale to a night that celebrated not only one of Train’s most beloved albums, but an iconic career spanning more than three decades.
Check our our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
TRAIN
All Photo Credit : Jill Meagher