Festivals
All Your Friends Fest 2025: The Artists We’re Most Excited About
This year’s All Your Friends Festival is bringing a wave of nostalgia and fresh energy to Burl’s Creek. It’s the kind of lineup that’ll have you digging out your old iPod Mini and re-learning the words to songs you haven’t screamed since high school. Here’s who we’re most excited to seem, and why they should be on your radar too.
Avril Lavigne
Avril’s back on top and bringing her Greatest Hits Tour to festivals, offering a nostalgic trip through her early 2000s pop-punk anthems. She’s been touring extensively, with shows in Canada drawing large crowds, and seems more energized than ever. She still knows how to command a crowd. Expect a tight mix of hits — Sk8er Boi, Complicated, Girlfriend — with enough fresh cuts to remind you she’s not stuck in the past. She’s finally leaning into her legacy and her present, which makes this set a must-see.
Rise Against
Chicago’s politically charged punks haven’t let up. Rise Against’s 2021 record Nowhere Generation was a sharp and timely reminder that Tim McIlrath still has things to shout about, and their live shows prove they’re not slowing down. Their latest EP, Nowhere Generation II, keeps that same fire going. Seeing Rise Against live is a full-body experience. Their shows feel urgent. Between fan-favourites like Savior and Prayer of the Refugee, and the newer material, the energy never drops. They bring a kind of emotional weight that makes you want to punch the air and start a conversation afterward.
The Veronicas
We weren’t expecting to be this excited about The Veronicas, but here we are. The Aussie twins are leaning into their pop-punk roots again after a few years playing with synths and ballads. Their recent album Gothic Summer feels like it could’ve come out during the Warped Tour heyday, in the best way. It’s raw, catchy, and kind of angry. Their live set is a little chaotic, a little camp, and very fun. Tracks like 4ever and Untouched still go off, but they’ve got newer ones like Perfect that fit right in.
Winona Fighter
This is one of the new names we’re betting big on. Winona Fighter makes gritty, catchy punk with serious attitude. Think early Paramore energy, but messier and weirder, in a good way. Their song “I’m in the Market to Please No One” is a standout: bratty lyrics, gnarly guitars, and a hook that stays with you. They’ve been grinding the DIY circuit and are finally getting some bigger festival love. Their live shows are sweaty and unhinged, like a basement gig with better lighting. If you like your punk loud and unpolished, show up early and catch their set.
Simple Plan
Montreal’s pop-punk sweethearts are still bringing it, two decades deep. They’ve fully leaned into being the soundtrack for millennial angst, and they do it with heart. Simple Plan always feels like a family reunion. Everyone knows the words, everyone’s a little emotional, and you leave sweaty and smiling. Whether it’s Perfect, Welcome to My Life, or I’d Do Anything, they hit that nostalgia nerve just right.
The Starting Line
For anyone who had a MySpace profile pic with side-swept bangs, this one’s for you. The Starting Line hasn’t toured much lately, so catching them here feels like a treat. Say It Like You Mean It still holds up, and “Best of Me” is basically a festival anthem waiting to happen. They’re one of those bands that soundtracked a whole era, and they still deliver.
Relient K
They’re back! Relient K made their name with tongue-in-cheek lyrics and pop-punk hooks, but the band has aged surprisingly well. After a long quiet stretch, they’ve released anniversary vinyls for Mmhmm and Forget and No Slow Down. Their songs feel familiar, but there’s enough self-awareness and charm that it doesn’t feel stale. We’re curious to see how their updated style plays on stage.
State Champs
State Champs are a safe bet for one of the most fun sets of the weekend. Their album Kings of the New Age still holds strong, and their newer album State Champs keep them sounding sharp. These guys know how to pace a show: all hooks, all bounce, no filler. It’s going to be a full singalong, full jump-around set. They’re tight as a band and know how to get a crowd going. Expect big circle pits and lots of smiles.
Boys Like Girls
They’re having a moment again, and we’re not mad about it. Their 2023 album Sunday at Foxwoods leans more alt-rock than emo, but the hooks are still there. Of course, everyone’s going to lose it for The Great Escape and Thunder, and if they play Two Is Better Than One, prepare for tears. They’ve toured heavily in 2024and seem genuinely stoked to be back in the mix. A great pick for anyone who needs a little drama with their pop.
Moneen
This one’s for the emo heads. Moneen’s blend of chaos and melody was always a little ahead of its time. They’ve been doing sporadic reunion shows and still bring serious emotional weight to their sets. Expect lots of feedback, screaming, and passionate fans yelling every word. They might not be a household name, but their cult following is loud for a reason.
More TBA, but this is already stacked. Whether you’re reliving your peak emo years or discovering these bands for the first time, All Your Friends Fest is shaping up to be a sweaty, loud, and deeply cathartic time.
Head to their website for more info.
Festivals
VANS Warped Tour Announces 2026 Full Line-Up!
Vans Warped Tour, one of the most iconic, successful, and longest-running music festivals in history is bringing its celebrated community-driven experience north of the border with a highly anticipated stop in Montréal, Canada. Set for August 21 + 22, the Montréal edition will take over the expansive grounds of Parc Jean-Drapeau, the city’s premiere outdoor festival destination located along the St. Lawrence River.
Just minutes from downtown and easily accessible by metro, Parc Jean-Drapeau offers sweeping skyline views and a vibrant summer atmosphere. Festivalgoers can explore nearby neighborhoods such as Old Montréal, the Plateau, and the Quartier des Spectacles, making the weekend an immersive cultural experience both on and off the festival grounds.
Keeping with tradition, the full line-up listed alphabetically, which keeps the focus on the collective experience rather than headliners, the stacked bill spans generations of alternative and punk music, from genre-defining favorites like Simple Plan and Bowling For Soup to pop-rock staples such as Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard, and Mayday Parade, alongside rising voices including Jutes and LØLØ. Additionally, the 2026 Vans Warped Tour in Montreal features a mix of international and regional talent, including Montreal-based deathcore band Despised Icon and punk outfit The Anti-Queens.
In partnership with Insomniac, the two-day festival will feature over 100 artists spanning rock, pop punk, alternative, emo, hip-hop, ska and beyond, alongside appearances from world-class skateboarders and elite action-sports athletes. This latest iteration builds on Vans Warped Tour’s legacy while embracing a broader, more global future for one of music and skate culture’s most enduring live platforms. With its scenic waterfront setting, rich musical heritage, and reputation as one of North America’s top festival cities, Montréal provides the perfect backdrop for Vans Warped Tour’s signature blend of nostalgia, discovery, and community—uniting fans across generations for an unforgettable summer weekend.
Furthering their mission of artist discovery and fan-first ideology, last month Vans Warped Tour launched the first look at the artists performing this year with multiple artists being announced daily over the past 30-ish days exclusively on Vans Warped Tour social platforms.
In addition to Montreal, Canada, Vans Warped Tour is expanding its footprint and cultural impact after last year’s three sold-out U.S dates, as the tour will deliver five two-day festivals returning to Washington, DC, Long Beach, CA, and Orlando, FL, including the launch of two all-new international editions in both Montreal, Canada and also Mexico City, Mexico, marking a powerful global expansion.
Founded by Kevin Lyman in 1995, Vans Warped Tour built a singular legacy as the definitive summer festival for rock and alternative music fans, shaping generations of artists and audiences alike. Founded in 1995, Vans Warped Tour was never just a concert series; it was a proving ground, cultural crossroads, and community-driven platform where established acts shared stages with emerging talent, often at pivotal moments in their careers.
Throughout the years, Vans Warped Tour helped introduce and elevate artists who would go on to define modern music, with past performers including Blink-182, No Doubt, Sublime, Beck, Katy Perry, NOFX, Limp Bizkit, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Eminem, Yellowcard, Bad Religion, and countless others.
What set Vans Warped Tour apart was its accessibility and ethos. Affordable tickets, all-day festivals, genre-fluid lineups, and an environment where fans could discover new artists, connect directly with performers, and experience music alongside skate culture, activism, and community engagement. That spirit of openness and discovery became central to Vans Warped Tour’s identity, cementing its place as one of the most influential live music platforms in modern music history. Vans Warped Tour remains committed to accessible pricing, with weekend passes that started at an all-inclusive price of $237.00 (processing fees included) and are currently available for purchase at https://www.vanswarpedtour.com/tickets.
Festivals
Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots, Mumford & Sons To Headline Oceans Calling 2026
Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots, and Mumford & Sons will headline the 2026 edition of Oceans Calling Festival on September 25-27 at the Ocean City, Maryland Boardwalk. The festival returns to Ocean City Inlet Beach with more than 40 artists performing across 3 stages including Ludacris, O.A.R., Yellowcard, Shaggy, Liz Phair, and more on Friday along with Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, All Time Low, 311, Dashboard Confessional, Violent Femmes, and more on Saturday, with Caamp, My Morning Jacket, The Head and The Heart, Hanson, OK Go, Susan Hoffs, Jet, and more performing Sunday. View the entire lineup by-day here.
Pre-sale Tickets will be available this Thursday, March 5, from 10 AM–11 AM ET, offering guaranteed lowest priced GA and 1-Day Tickets for one hour only.
Beyond the stages, Oceans Calling highlights the best of East Coast flavor with fan-favorite local food vendors and Boardwalk staples complemented by live culinary demos from renowned chefs Robert Irvine, Antonia Lofaso, and more celebrating the region’s vibrant food scene; all hosted by Jason Biggs.
Festival goers will also have access to the Ocean City Boardwalk and its businesses in residence as well as the iconic Jolly Roger at the Pier amusement park, both located inside the festival grounds, as admission will be included with the purchase of an Oceans Calling Festival ticket.
Oceans Calling Festival ticket types include 1-Day and 3-Day, General Admission, GA+, VIP, and Platinum tickets, and layaway payment plans start at $20 down. GA+ offers fans unlimited access to a private lounge with seating, air-conditioned restrooms, complimentary water, private bar with drinks for purchase, and a dedicated on-site hospitality team. VIP delivers an exclusive seated viewing platform at the Main Stage, as well as prime viewing areas at all stages, VIP Lounge at Main Stage with air-conditioned restrooms, private bar with drinks for purchase and complimentary water, lockers, and mobile charging units for rent, and more. Platinum includes front-of-stage viewing at all stages, complimentary all-day dining and full-service bars, access to two Platinum Lounges with relaxed seating, air-conditioned restrooms, complimentary lockers and mobile charging, dedicated festival entrance, plus all the amenities of VIP, GA+, and GA, and more.
New this year, the 3-Day Bungalow Package offers an elevated, private festival experience for up to 12 guests per day at Oceans Calling. Guests enjoy unlimited access to a dedicated shaded bungalow with sweeping views of the Sea Bright Stage and festival grounds, plus private bars with complimentary all-day beverages, grab-and-go snacks, air-conditioned restrooms, Wi-Fi, merchandise concierge service, and dedicated on-site hospitality staff, all while maintaining full access to VIP and GA amenities for the complete festival experience. For the full list of ticket amenities, and to purchase 1-Day or 3-Day Tickets, visit www.oceanscallingfestival.com/tickets.