Festivals
BitterSweet Festival 2025: 6 Artists We Can’t Wait to See in Poland
BitterSweet Festival is take place this August in Poland with a stacked lineup that mixes global stars, cult favorites, and local legends. Across three days (August 14–16), the fest is bringing together artists who know how to put on a show, whether you’re in it for the beats, the emotional anthems, or the unpredictable stage antics. Here’s a look at six artists we’re especially hyped to catch live this year, and why you should make time for them in your schedule.
Post Malone (August 15)
Post Malone has evolved from chart-topping hit-maker to genre-hopping headliner. He’s still riding high off Austin and F-1 Trillion, his 2023 and 2024 album that leaned more into alt-rock and country than hip-hop. Whether he’s crooning with an acoustic guitar or running through “Rockstar,” you never quite know what version of Post you’ll get on stage, and that’s part of the fun.
Expect a set that spans his genre-bending catalog. He’s a born entertainer, equal parts heartfelt and chaotic. He might shotgun a beer mid-song. He might cry. He might do both. Either way, his shows feel big emotionally and literally.
Loreen (August 16)
Loreen has always known how to make a moment. She’s a two-time Eurovision champion, most recently winning in 2023 with “Tattoo,” which became a pan-European smash. Her live shows are performance art with fog, strobe lights, and serious drama.
Since her Eurovision win, she’s continued touring across Europe and dropped a string of moody, synth-heavy singles that double down on her theatrical side. There’s real power behind her voice and vision. She’ll bring a sense of high-stakes spectacle to the stage, and there’s a good chance you’ll walk away feeling like you just witnessed something closer to a ritual than a pop concert.
Marc Rebillet (August 15)
Marc Rebillet is chaos in silk robes (and we mean that as a compliment). The improvisational loop artist has carved out a niche somewhere between comedy, club beats, and pure madness. He builds songs on the fly, takes requests from the crowd, and usually ends up dancing in his underwear. It’s unhinged and hilarious.
Lately, he’s been popping up at festivals all over the world, often stealing the show from artists with twice the budget. No two sets are ever the same, and that’s the point. Whether he’s freestyling about Polish food or looping a beat built from someone yelling “BITTERSWEET,” you’re in for a ride.
Nelly Furtado (August 14)
After a long hiatus, Nelly Furtado is officially back. She’s been playing select live dates over lately, including buzzy appearances like her own DJ sets. This past year has been the return of loose Nelly, the clubby, confident side that gave us “Promiscuous” and “Maneater.”
Her catalog is deep, and there’s something undeniably satisfying about hearing those early 2000s hits blasted from a festival stage. If she slips in a surprise new track or two, we won’t be mad. And if you don’t lose your mind when the “Say It Right” synth kicks in, are you even human?
Viagra Boys (August 16)
Viagra Boys make music for people who like their punk sweaty, strange, and just a little satirical. The Swedish band, led by frontman Sebastian Murphy, deliver snarling, bass-heavy tracks about everything from masculinity to… shrimp. Their live shows are loud, sloppy in the best way, and way more fun than you might expect from a band with a name like that.
If you’re tired of polished pop and looking for something that hits like a beer can to the head, this is your stop. Come for the sax solos. Stay for the unfiltered weirdness.
Julia Wieniawa (August 14)
One of Poland’s brightest homegrown stars, Julia Wieniawa brings pop charisma with a local edge. Originally known for her acting, she’s built a legit music career over the past few years. Her latest EP Sobą Tak shows off her polish (no pun intended) as both a vocalist and performer.
She’s a staple on Polish charts, but her appeal is bigger than just the radio. Her stage presence is sleek, and she knows how to command a crowd. BitterSweet gives her a global platform, and there’s no better time to get on board. Consider this your moment to brag, “I saw her before she went international.”
BitterSweet Festival has something for just about everyone. But if you want the kind of sets you’ll still be talking about on the train ride home, keep your eye on these six. They’re bringing heart, spectacle, weirdness, and everything in between. See you in the crowd!
Visit the festival’s website for more information.
Festivals
Osheaga 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule
The annual ritual every Osheaga fan both loves and dreads has arrived. The festival has officially unveiled its daily schedule for the 2026 edition, giving attendees their first look at who will be playing when across Parc Jean-Drapeau from July 31 to August 2.
As always, the release of set times brings excitement, anticipation, and plenty of scheduling headaches. With major headliners, breakout stars, indie favourites, and hometown talent spread across six stages, fans will once again be forced to make some difficult decisions throughout the weekend.
Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest moments and potential conflicts from each day.
Friday, July 31
Friday eases festival-goers into the weekend before building toward a stacked evening lineup led by Twenty One Pilots, The XX, and The Neighbourhood on the Bell River Stage.
The day begins with performances from Super Plage, Wunderhorse, Wet Leg, and Moses Belanger before momentum picks up in the afternoon. One of the first notable clashes arrives when Kehlani takes the Mountain Stage while Amber Mark performs on the Forest Stage and Billie Marten appears on the Valley Stage.
The evening presents some particularly difficult choices. Fans of alternative rock will have to decide between The XX and rising Japanese sensation YOASOBI, whose set overlaps with portions of the night.
Another major conflict comes later when Brutalismus 3000 and JID perform simultaneously. Those looking for a high-energy electronic experience may head toward the Coca-Cola Stage, while hip-hop fans will likely be making a run toward the Valley Stage.
The festival’s opening night closes with Twenty One Pilots on the main stage, while Geese and Amelie Lens provide compelling alternatives elsewhere across the site.
Friday Highlights
- Twenty One Pilots
- The XX
- The Neighbourhood
- Kehlani
- YOASOBI
- JID
- Amelie Lens
- Wet Leg
- Wunderhorse
- Geese
Saturday, August 1
Saturday may feature the weekend’s most relentless run of performances from top to bottom.
The day starts with sets from Baby Nova, Wolf Parade, Stella Lefty, Laura Scavo, and Fanclubwallet before quickly transitioning into a packed afternoon. Fans of indie and alternative music will have several choices throughout the day, including Villager, Kingfishr, and AJ Tracey.
One of the day’s biggest talking points will be the overlap between Little Simz, followed by Franz Ferdinand’s set. Both artists are expected to draw large crowds and appeal to different corners of the Osheaga audience.
As night falls, things only get tougher. Punk fans will likely gravitate toward Viagra Boys and Turnstile, while electronic fans may be tempted by Odd Mob and Kettama. Meanwhile, indie pop fans will be trying to squeeze in as much of Sombr as possible before heading to the main stage.
The evening culminates with Canadian pop superstar Tate McRae closing the Bell River Stage, while electronic powerhouse Empire of the Sun headlines the Forest Stage.
Saturday Highlights
- Tate McRae
- Empire of the Sun
- Turnstile
- Franz Ferdinand
- Little Simz
- Viagra Boys
- Wolf Parade
- AJ Tracey
- Sombr
- Kettama
Sunday, August 2
The festival’s final day delivers arguably the strongest collection of pop talent across the entire weekend.
Things begin with Valley, Amble, Between Friends, and Tia Wood before the afternoon ramps up with performances from Mother Mother, Paris Paloma, Billie du Page, and Of Monsters and Men.
One of the biggest scheduling dilemmas of the weekend arrives during the evening stretch. Fans hoping to catch Zara Larsson, SG Lewis, and Gunna will need to carefully plan their route through the grounds, as several of the performances overlap.
The night’s final run is packed with major draws. Lorde headlines the Bell River Stage while Major Lazer closes the Forest Stage. At the same time, electronic fans can head to Space 92’s special Popof-presented Turbo Recordings set, while alternative music fans may find themselves torn between Not For Radio, Horsegiirl, and Subtronics.
Sunday offers a fitting finale to what looks like one of Osheaga’s most diverse lineups in recent memory.
Sunday Highlights
- Lorde
- Major Lazer
- Zara Larsson
- Gunna
- SG Lewis
- Mother Mother
- Of Monsters and Men
- Paris Paloma
- Valley
- Horsegiirl
Start Planning Now
With the daily schedule now available, fans can finally begin mapping out their weekends and preparing for the inevitable conflicts that come with a lineup this deep.
Whether you’re heading to Parc Jean-Drapeau for the headliners, discovering your next favourite artist, or trying to sprint between stages to catch a little bit of everything, Osheaga 2026 is shaping up to deliver another unforgettable weekend in Montreal.
Tickets and additional festival information are available through the official Osheaga website.
Festivals
Riot Fest 2026 Brings Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, and Twenty One Pilots to Chicago
Chicago’s beloved punk and alternative festival, Riot Fest, is back with another stacked lineup for 2026. The three-day event returns to Douglass Park from September 18-20, bringing together more than 100 artists across punk, rock, indie, metal, and alternative music.
Leading this year’s lineup are Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, Twenty One Pilots, and Pierce the Veil. The festival continues its tradition of mixing legendary names with newer acts and cult favorites.
Other major artists on the bill include Patti Smith and her band, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Santigold, Pixies, Rise Against, Bad Religion, Taking Back Sunday, Social Distortion, The All-American Rejects, and Bright Eyes.
Fans of heavier and more chaotic sets will have plenty to look forward to with appearances from GWAR, Chat Pile, Melt-Banana, and Insane Clown Posse. Riot Fest is also bringing together punk history with performances from Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter and Public Image Ltd.
The festival’s deep lineup stretches far beyond the headliners, with artists such as Pennywise, Descendents, Iggy Pop, Mom Jeans, The Format, Twin Peaks, Algernon Cadwallader, This Is Lorelei, and Jejune set to perform throughout the weekend.
Last year’s edition marked Riot Fest’s 20th anniversary, featuring returning favorites such as Green Day, Blink-182, and Weezer. This year’s lineup keeps that same mix of nostalgia, chaos, and genre-spanning energy that has made Riot Fest one of North America’s most recognizable alternative festivals.
Three-day passes are on sale now, including general admission, VIP, and deluxe ticket packages. Payment plan options are available for fans looking to spread out the cost of the weekend.
More information at riotfest.org.