Festivals
A Joyful Celebration: Happyland Festival 2024 – Review
The third annual Happyland Festival, presented by Timbre Concerts and Sunrise Series, was held on August 4th, 2024, at the PNE Centre Grounds and Playland Amusement Park. Coinciding with Vancouver’s Pride Parade, the festival aimed to provide an inclusive space for attendees to fully express themselves while enjoying music, performances, and the vibrant community spirit.
R&B artist Tinashe headlined the event, delivering a powerhouse performance that captivated the audience. She showcased remarkable vocal prowess and impressive dance skills, showing why she has been in this industry for over 15 years. The most anticipated moment of her set was obviously “Nasty”, which blew up on TikTok in the past several months. Right after, Tinashe brought back all other performers on stage for some more fun.
Vincint, introduced by Kendall Gender, mesmerized the audience with his angelic voice and engaging stage presence, even jumping into the crowd to sing among the attendees.
The festival was also graced by the presence of RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Adore Delano and Raja Gemini. Raja opened the festival with a stunning Celine Dion performance, complete with a colourful, ever-changing outfit. Adore Delano impressed with her powerful vocals, reminding everyone why she stood out on both RuPaul’s Drag Race and American Idol.
British Columbia’s own drag stars also shone brightly. Venus, the winner of Canada’s Drag Race Season 4 (and 1st Indigenous winner), delivered a high-energy performance inspired by Charli XCX’s BRAT, cooling down the audience with water guns amidst the summer heat.
Kendall Gender, with a Beyoncé-inspired Cowboy Carter set, and The Girlfriend Experience, from Canada’s Drag Race Season 4, added local flair and excitement to the lineup.
Happyland Festival offered exclusive access to both the concert venue and Playland’s rides, creating a unique and thrilling experience for attendees. The integration of live music and amusement park fun set this festival apart from others, providing many entertainment options.
Festival-goers enjoyed a variety of dining options from Playland’s vendors, including favourites like Japadog, and 49th Parallel coffee. A special shout-out goes to the organizers for providing flushable toilets in addition to porta-potties—not always a given at most festivals.
Happyland also had 19+ VIP Section that offered a premium experience with comfortable seating and exclusive amenities for those seeking a more intimate setting; an Alcohol-Free Zone so that everyone, regardless of their preferences, could enjoy the festival comfortably; sponsor booths with giveaways, and photo ops.
Timbre Concerts and Sunrise Series announced that a portion of each ticket sold would be donated to QMUNITY, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQAI2S+ community members, events, and organizations. This initiative underscored the festival’s commitment to giving back and supporting important causes.
The third annual Happyland Festival was a vibrant and inclusive celebration of music, pride, and community. The stellar performances, unique combination of concert and amusement park experiences, and thoughtful amenities made it a standout event in Vancouver’s festival scene. The festival created a space where attendees could fully express themselves and enjoy a sense of belonging and joy. Happyland was indeed a happy place to spend time with friends, enjoy good music, and celebrate diversity. We can’t wait for next year’s edition!
Check out some of our favourite photos of the festival below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
TINASHE
VENUS
ADORE DELANO
KENDALL GENDER
THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE
VINCINT
RAJA GEMINI
HAPPYLAND
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
Rolling Loud Announce Move To Orlando For 2026
Rolling Loud will stage its only U.S. festival of 2026 in Orlando, Florida, marking a notable shift for the long-running hip-hop event. Organizers announced that Rolling Loud Orlando will take place May 8–10 at Camping World Stadium, ending a decade-long tradition that kept the festival anchored in Miami.
The lineup has not been revealed, but the festival is promising a full week of “exclusive events and experiences” tied to the main weekend. Presale tickets go on sale Thursday, January 8, at 10 a.m. ET through Rolling Loud’s website, with prices starting at $249. A layaway option will be offered with a $9.99 deposit.
The Orlando dates come after years of Rolling Loud operating multiple U.S. festivals in cities such as Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. That approach has now been scaled back. Outside the U.S., Rolling Loud will still host events in Sydney and Melbourne on March 7 and 8, following recent global expansions that included the brand’s first festival in India last November. Organizers have already confirmed a return to India in November 2026.
Festival co-founder and co-CEO Matt Zingler said the move reflects a broader reset for the brand. In a statement shared via Billboard, Zingler explained that the goal was to bring Rolling Loud back to a summer schedule and build a single U.S. event without trade-offs. He pointed to Orlando’s accessibility and infrastructure as key reasons for the decision, adding that the festival aims to follow where hip-hop culture is headed, not where it has already been.
Rolling Loud began in Miami in 2015, founded by Florida natives Zingler and Tariq Cherif. What started as a one-day event in Wynwood quickly grew into a major destination festival, moving through larger venues before landing at Hard Rock Stadium by 2018. By the end of the decade, Rolling Loud Miami regularly drew crowds exceeding 200,000, becoming one of the city’s biggest music events and a major economic driver.
Over the years, the festival has hosted performances from artists such as Travis Scott, Future, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, A$AP Rocky, 21 Savage, Latto, and Kodak Black, while building a reputation for spotlighting rising artists alongside established stars. The brand later expanded across North America and overseas, helping solidify hip-hop’s place at the center of the global festival circuit.
News of the move to Orlando has drawn mixed reactions online, particularly from South Florida fans who viewed Rolling Loud as a fixture of Miami’s cultural calendar. The change signals a clear new chapter for the festival as it enters its second decade, with organizers betting on a leaner U.S. footprint and a broader international focus.
Festivals
Governors Ball 2026 Lineup Announced with Lorde, Stray Kids, Kali Uchis, A$AP Rocky, Jennie, KATSEYE
Governors Ball celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2025 with another year of widespread critical acclaim, and today New York’s signature music festival is back to announce its massive 2026 Lineup. Governors Ball will return to Queens’ storied Flushing Meadows Corona Park from June 5-7, once again timed with New York Music Month. This year’s headliners include Lorde, who performed at Gov Ball in 2017 but returns this year as a headliner for the first time; the global K-pop superstars Stray Kids, whose explosive live performances have sold-out stadiums worldwide; and Harlem’s-own returning headliner A$AP Rocky. The lineup also includes Baby Keem, Kali Uchis, Jennie, Katseye, Geese, Major Lazer, Pierce the Veil, Dominic Fike, Blood Orange, Clipse, Mariah The Scientist, Wet Leg, Amyl and The Sniffers, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, The Dare, 2hollis, Ravyn Lenae, and many more.
This year’s bill also highlights a strong slate of NYC-based talent – from Geese, The Dare, Del Water Gap, Arcy Drive, and Lexa Gates to emerging hometown favorites like The Backfires and Chanpan, as well as School of Rock Queens, School of Rock New York, and Kids Rock for Kids – underscoring the festival’s continued commitment to showcasing the city’s vibrant music community.
Fans can sign up now for the SMS Presale happening this Thursday, January 8 from 10am – 11am ET. This is the ONLY WAY to guarantee getting your tickets at the lowest price. Sign up here for a presale passcode to secure your spot at Gov Ball 2026. All ticket prices will increase on Thursday at 11am ET when the Public On-Sale begins. Additionally, physical wristbands will return!
Gov Ball is once again offering PIT VIEWING 3-Day and 1-Day ticket types. This ticket offers the same amenities as VIP but includes an exclusive viewing area at all 3 stages just in front of VIP viewing. There is no better view available! Returning premium ticket types this year include GA+, VIP and Cabanas for both 1-Day and 3-Days. For more information, and all ticket type amenities, visit www.governorsballmusicfestival.com/tickets.
Layaway Plans are also available on all ticket types starting at $25 down for a $319 3-Day GA Ticket. Also, local Queens residents (11368, 11355, 11375, and 11367 zip codes) are eligible for a 15% discount on tickets. For more information on all ticket types and layaway plans, please visit www.GovBall.com.
Queens is known for its world-class food, and the festival will once again celebrate the borough’s culinary scene with top local and gourmet offerings, including returning fan favorites. A refreshed beverage program tailored for the New York summer heat will also be on tap. Across the iconic park, attendees can expect immersive fan experiences, standout photo moments, and more. Vendors, activations, and additional programming will be announced in the coming weeks.
Governors Ball will once again kick off summer in New York City with three days of performances from more than 60 artists across three stages. Easily accessible from all five boroughs, the festival is less than 30 minutes away by train, with both the 7 train and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) providing direct service to the park.