Festivals
Boots And Hearts West Unveils Additional Artists For The Inaugural Festival In Edmonton
Boots and Hearts West announces an exciting new wave of artists set to perform across two stages on August 28 and 29 at Fan Park at @ ICE District, outside Rogers Place in Edmonton. Joining previously announced headliners—Platinum-selling hitmaker Russell Dickerson and genre-blending trailblazer Shaboozey, fresh off his GRAMMY win—the newly revealed lineup features a dynamic mix of chart-toppers, breakout talent, and fan favourites. This latest announcement builds momentum for what is shaping up to be a must-attend weekend for country and crossover music fans across Western Canada.
Added to Friday’s (8/28) line-up is Gold-certified selling artist and rising star Max McNown, known for his heartfelt songwriting and rapidly growing fanbase, alongside three of Canada’s most exciting voices, JUNO award-nominated artist Tyler Joe Miller, Alberta favourite Kalsey Kulyk and emerging artist Dawson Gray.
Saturday (8/29) will feature critically acclaimed GRAMMY, ACM, and CMA-nominated neotraditional country trio Midland, breakthrough duo Thelma & James – marking their first Alberta homecoming performance – breakout artist Zach McPhee, and newcomer Brock Phillips. Additional artists will be announced at a later date.
Festival lineup by day below.
Friday, August 28
Russell Dickerson
Max McNown
Tyler Joe Miller
Kalsey Kulyk
Dawson Gray
Saturday, August 29
Shaboozey
Midland
Thelma & James
Zach McPhee
Brock Phillips
“Seeing Boots and Hearts West continue to take shape with our partners at OEGSE is incredibly exciting. This lineup builds on the energy we’re bringing to Edmonton and reflects our commitment to a thoughtfully curated festival experience. From the artists to the setting at ICE District, we can’t wait to see BootsLife come alive in the West and create two unforgettable days of live music this summer,” shares Eva Dunford, Co-Founder of Republic Live.
Boots and Hearts West will bring the spirit, energy and community of the multi-award-winning festival to Edmonton for the first time this year. For over a decade, Boots and Hearts Music Festival and Republic Live have built a loyal fan base drawn to its signature blend of music, community and unforgettable experiences. An eight-time Canadian Country Music Association Award winner for Country Festival of the Year and recognized by the Academy of Country Music for Festival of the Year, the festival continues to grow by delivering world-class country events directly to country fans across the nation. Boots and Hearts West builds on that legacy, expanding the festival’s footprint into Western Canada and offering fans new ways to experience the festival they love.
Tickets are available for sale exclusively at www.bootsandheartswest.com. Fans can also take advantage of flexible payment options through PayPal or Klarna. Additional festival details will be shared in the coming months.
Festivals
Governors Ball 2026 Release Daily Schedules
The set times are in. Governors Ball Music Festival just dropped its daily schedules for June 5–7, and the usual game begins: mapping your day, picking your battles, and accepting you can’t see everything.
Friday, June 5
Day one leans indie-pop into rap by night. Lorde closes the main stage at 8:30, opposite the tail end of Baby Keem(7:30–8:30). That’s your first big call: polished pop spectacle or Keem’s high-energy set.
Earlier, things get messy in a good way. KATSEYE (6:35–7:30) overlaps with Pierce the Veil (5:30–6:30) bleed, and The Beths (6:00–7:00) sit right in between. Indie fans will feel that pinch.
Midday conflicts are lighter, but The Dare (4:00–4:45) vs. Arcy Drive (3:30–4:15) creates a small fork in the road.
If you’re pacing yourself, the cleanest run is late afternoon into Mariah the Scientist (4:45–5:30), then pick your lane.
Saturday, June 6
Saturday is the most chaotic on paper. Stray Kids headline at 8:30, directly after Kali Uchis (7:30–8:30). That transition is smooth if you stay put.
The real trouble hits earlier. Major Lazer (6:30–7:30) collides with Blood Orange (5:30–6:30) and the start of Amyl and the Sniffers (7:30–8:30). Dancehall vs. alt-R&B vs. punk. Pick a mood and commit.
Mid-card is stacked with clashes: Ravyn Lenae (4:00–4:45) overlaps with Jane Remover (3:30–4:15), and Snow Strippers (4:45–5:30) runs right into Wet Leg (4:45–5:30). That last one is a true coin flip, two buzzy acts at the exact same time.
Sunday, June 7
Sunday might be the strongest day top to bottom. A$AP Rocky closes at 8:45, opposite the end of JENNIE (7:45–8:45) and Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (7:45–8:45). That’s the toughest final hour of the weekend.
The lead-up is just as tight. Dominic Fike (6:45–7:45) overlaps with Clipse (5:45–6:45) and Hot Mulligan (6:15–7:15). Three different crowds, same window.
Earlier, Japanese Breakfast (4:00–4:45) and Holly Humberstone (3:15–4:00) form a nice back-to-back if you stay mobile, but Between Friends (2:30–3:15) cuts into that flow.
The takeaway
Friday is manageable. Saturday is conflict-heavy. Sunday is stacked late.
If you hate missing songs, plan short splits. If you want full sets, accept you’ll miss something big. That’s part of the deal, and honestly, half the fun.
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts Announce 2026 Lineup
Vancouver’s summer concert calendar is locking into place. The annual Summer Night Concerts are set to return to the Pacific National Exhibition from August 22 through September 7, bringing live music back to one of the city’s biggest seasonal events.
This year carries a bit more weight than usual. The series will debut at the brand-new Freedom Mobile Arch, a 10,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre built for large-scale performances. The venue promises better sightlines, improved sound, and a more immersive setup for fans. It’s a major shift for the fair, which spent much of last year dealing with construction that limited its footprint and contributed to a drop in attendance.
Now, with the full site back in action, organizers are aiming for a reset. The 2026 lineup leans into that idea, mixing legacy acts with newer names across genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic.
Headliners include Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, The Beaches, Nelly, and Zedd, alongside artists like Mt. Joy, Train, and Barenaked Ladies. Special performances include Cynthia Erivo backed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearances from Punjabi Virsa, Weird Al Yankovic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pierce the Veil, Sarah McLachlan, and Boy George & Culture Club.
The full schedule runs nightly:
- Aug. 22: Blue Rodeo
- Aug. 23: The Guess Who
- Aug. 25: The Beaches
- Aug. 26: Nelly
- Aug. 27: Zedd
- Aug. 28: Mt. Joy
- Aug. 29: Cynthia Erivo with VSO
- Aug. 30: Punjabi Virsa
- Sept. 1: Train
- Sept. 2: Barenaked Ladies
- Sept. 3: Weird Al Yankovic
- Sept. 4: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Sept. 5: Pierce the Veil
- Sept. 6: Sarah McLachlan
- Sept. 7: Boy George & Culture Club
Tickets start at $49 plus fees and include admission to the PNE Fair. Presale began April 19, with general on-sale launching April 20 through TicketLeader.
New venue, full fairgrounds, and a lineup that leans both nostalgic and current. After a quieter year, the PNE looks ready to feel busy again.