Festivals
All Your Friends Fest 2025 – Day One Recap & Photos
Burl’s Creek, Ontario – Saturday, June 28
In its second year, All Your Friends Fest brought the nostalgia and rocked Burl’s Creek for two incredible days. The two-day festival kicked off with a cloudy sky, singalongs, and a crowd ready to relive the glory days of emo, punk, and alt-rock with a fresh 2025 twist.
The festival grounds were packed early, with fans sporting vintage band tees, eyeliner, and studded belts. Groups of friends took turns snapping photos in front of a giant guitar sculpture by Briony Douglas, an art piece that fans can catch again at Boots and Hearts later this summer. It was a clear crowd favourite and a backdrop for more than a few group selfies and DIY photo shoots.
Music kicked off on the Second Stage with Canada’s own Faber Drive, who brought early 2000s pop-rock charm with a tight, upbeat set. They hit all the nostalgic notes, getting the crowd moving and singing along.
The first Main Stage act was Winona Fighter, a relatively new band based in Nashville, TN. After finishing their pre-show rituals on stage, frontwoman Coco Kinnon brought the crowd to a frenzy with her screaming vocals and high energy. Think early Paramore energy, but messier and weirder, in a good way. They’ve been grinding the DIY circuit and are finally getting some bigger festival love.
Four Year Strong were next in the lineup, taking the Second Stage. The American pop-punk band wasted no time in involving the fans. There was no easing into their set. The pit opened up immediately, and the moshing never stopped. Crowd surfers came in waves, hoisted up by strangers with grins on their faces.
Canadian indie rockers, Moneen, would take the main stage at 4:15pm. High flying kicks, guitars swinging, Moneen put on a great show and had passionate fans yelling every word. They might not be a household name, but their following is loud for a reason.
The Starting Line kept the pace on the Second Stage, leaning into their classics and not letting a bass guitar strap mishap stop the fun. Frontman Kenny Vasoli laughed it off and kept the show running, never missing a beat.
Donning leather jackets, cigarettes and dark shades, Boys Like Girls entered the main stage to a roaring crowd. From newer music to their classics, including “The Great Escape” and “Love Drunk”, the fans loved it. It was a great pick for anyone who needs a little drama with their pop.
All the way from Down Under (Australia), The Veronicas took the stage as the sun was setting. The pop duo twins whipped out the guitar and got the crowd dancing. Their live set was a little chaotic, a little camp, and always very fun. Their top hits “Untouched” and “4ever” had everyone jumping, as expected.
The American rock band Underoath brought the intensity to the Main Stage. Lead singer Spencer Chamberlain encouraged crowd surfers to surf up to stage for a high five, which the crowd happily obliged. From moshing, crowd surfing to screaming vocals, their setlist had it all.
The finale for All Your Friends Fest Day One was hard rockers Rise Against. Formed in 1999, with nine albums and a tenth on the way, Rise Against played a wide variety of their discography. From “Prayer of the Refugee” to “Satellite,” fans were not disappointed. Lead singer Tim McIlrath took a moment during their set to express their love for their Canadian fans, as well as Canadian rock bands such as Billy Talent and Alexisonfire. One of the highlights was the band taking to the time halfway through their set to perform some acoustic songs such as “Swing Life Away” and “Hero of War.” They continued playing their hard rocking hits, with smoke and pyro going off the entire night. It was an incredible atmosphere and an incredible way to end off Day One of All Your Friends Fest.
Stay tuned for our review & photos of Day Two!
Check out our favourite photos of Day 1 below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
RISE AGAINST
UNDEROATH
THE VERONICAS
BOYS LIKE GIRLS
THE STARTING LINE
MONEEN
FOUR YEAR STRONG
WINONA FIGHTER
FABER DRIVE
CROWD
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport
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.