Festivals
Escapade Music Festival Announce 2026 Lineup
Escapade Music Festival is gearing up for a major return in 2026, marking its 16th anniversary with a three-day run at Ottawa’s RA Centre Grounds from June 26 to 28. The long-running event continues to hold its place as one of Canada’s biggest electronic music festivals, pulling in fans from across the country and beyond.
This year’s lineup leans into both legacy names and newer acts shaping the current EDM wave. Headlining the festival are Tiësto, Illenium, and GRiZ. Tiësto brings decades of anthems and big-room energy, Illenium delivers emotional, melodic bass-driven sets, and GRiZ blends funk, sax, and bass into something that feels more like a live party than a standard DJ set.
They’re joined by heavy hitters like FISHER and SLANDER, adding a mix of tech-house grooves and explosive future bass. Elsewhere on the lineup, names like Oliver Heldens, Svdden Death, and Cosmic Gate help round out a bill that doesn’t stick to one lane.
The full roster spans more than 70 artists, split across multiple electronic subgenres. Bass fans get a stacked selection, including Virtual Riot, Sullivan King, Crankdat, and Getter. Expect loud drops, chaotic pits, and zero chill.
House music holds its own with artists like Dombresky, Walker & Royce, Odd Mob, and Disco Lines, offering a more groove-heavy, danceable side of the weekend. Techno gets darker with Eli Brown, HI-LO, and Layton Giordanibringing late-night energy.
For fans chasing melodic moments, Nicky Romero, Alan Walker, and Maddix add progressive and trance elements, balancing out the heavier side of the lineup.
Tickets are already on sale, with general admission and VIP options available. Full details, pricing, and packages can be found on the festival’s official site.
For updates, Escapade stays active on Instagram (@escapademf), Facebook, and its website as the countdown to June begins.
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts – Pierce The Veil
By the time Pierce The Veil took the stage at Vancouver’s Freedom Mobile Arch on September 5, the place was packed and the anticipation was impossible to miss. As part of the PNE Summer Night Concerts, the San Diego post-hardcore veterans delivered a set that mixed nostalgia and chaos.
The show opened with “May These Noises Startle You in Your Sleep Tonight” and “Hell Above.” From there, the night barely let up. “Bulls in the Bronx” got the crowd going, followed by “Circles” and “I’m Low on Gas and You Need a Jacket.”
There was plenty for longtime fans, too. “I’d Rather Die Than Be Famous,” “Yeah Boy and Doll Face” and “Floral & Fading” reached back into the band’s catalog, while their cover of the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” provided one of the evening’s fun surprises.
Visually, Pierce The Veil made the most of the outdoor stage. Tony Perry and Jaime Preciado were constantly moving, throwing themselves around the stage with guitars in hand, while drummer Loniel Robinson provided the thunder behind them. At the centre was Vic Fuentes, whose voice still carries the emotional weight that has defined the band since its early days.
The emotional high point came with “Hold On Till May,” a song that has become deeply personal for many fans as phones went into the air and voices rose across the venue. Predictably, the place lost its mind when they ended with “King for a Day.”
After nearly 20 years, Pierce The Veil still know exactly what their music means to their fans. On this night, Vancouver gave that love right back.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
PIERCE THE VEIL
All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts – Train
After almost 10 years away, Train made its highly anticipated return to Vancouver, taking the stage at the PNE as part of the Summer Nights series for an electric night of nostalgia, energy and some of the band’s biggest hits. Nearly 10,000 fans packed the venue to welcome the group back to the city.
With nearly 33 years of performing together, Train proved that its signature sound and undeniable stage presence remain as strong as ever. Currently on the Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere Tour, the band is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its iconic album with a set that served as both a celebration of its enduring catalogue and a reminder of why these songs have remained fan favourites for decades.
Opening with “Calling All Angels,” the band quickly launched into a crowd-pleasing run of classics, including “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Marry Me” and “Drive By.” Throughout the night, the set balanced humour and heart, with frontman Pat Monahan connecting with the crowd and reflecting the warmth and personality that have become synonymous with Train’s live performances.
The night ultimately came full circle with the song that started the 25th-anniversary celebration: “Drops of Jupiter.” As the familiar opening notes rang out across the PNE, nearly 10,000 voices joined in, creating a fitting finale to a night that celebrated not only one of Train’s most beloved albums, but an iconic career spanning more than three decades.
Check our our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
TRAIN
All Photo Credit : Jill Meagher