Festivals
High Water Festival 2025 – Day 2 Recap & Photos
Riverfront Park, North Charleston – April 27, 2025
Day Two of High Water Festival rolled in under clouds, but the rain stayed away and the vibe stayed strong. The festival settled into its rhythm, with smaller crowds than past years and a slightly more relaxed pace. That worked in its favor as there was space to roam, time to eat some BBQ, and plenty of great music from start to finish.
Throughout the weekend, the festival staff was very polite, helpful, and on top of things. The festival included VIP and VIP Platinum viewing areas and lounges, as well as regular GA pits, food trucks, and bars.
ETHAN TASCH
Ethan Tasch had a midday slot and a growing crowd. There’s a definite Mt. Joy-adjacent vibe. Tasch didn’t try to be flashy. Instead, he leaned into sincerity, clean guitar, and smart lyrics. It was an easy set to fall into if you were grabbing a beer and needed a soundtrack for your sunburn.
GIGI PEREZ
Gigi Perez is about to blow up (she already has to be honest). The energy at her set felt louder and a little more intense. Fans were there early, singing everything. Some were even in tears. Perez has the kind of voice that cuts right through, with no filter. This might be the smallest stage she ever plays again. People were taking notes!
THE WAR AND TREATY
As usual, Michael and Tanya Trotter were electric. The War and Treaty can flip a crowd from laid-back to shouting in under a minute. Michael didn’t stay seated at the keyboard for long, and Tanya’s voice could probably carry across the Cooper River unaided. “Hey Driver” got the biggest response (after all, everyone knows that one), but the new material landed strong too. Their chemistry onstage is undeniable and a pleasure to watch.
WILD RIVERS
Wild Rivers brought sunset vibes even when the sun wasn’t out. The Canadian trio was tight, polished, and charming. They’ve clearly been doing this for a while, and it shows. Harmonies hit right, and their JUNO cred felt fully deserved. They handled the big stage like pros, and the crowd was into it.
TRUMPLED BY TURTLES
A little bit of bluegrass chaos in the middle of a mostly-indie lineup can be a great thing. Trampled by Turtles came in hot and played like they were being chased. “Codeine” got the biggest reaction. They don’t slow down, and the crowd didn’t want them to. People were jumping like it was a punk show.
WAXAHATCHEE
Katie Crutchfield brought her full band and didn’t hold back. Compared to her recent duo sets, this one was louder and more playful. She was funny between songs, and the sound was sharp. It wasn’t a showstopper, but it was a solid, grounded set.
COUNTING CROWS
Counting Crows brought a little time travel to the Stono stage. Adam Duritz still sings like he’s building the song in real time. “Round Here” opened the set, and from there they hit plenty of old favorites. None of them sounded quite like the studio versions which is all due to Duritz’ talent. His voice wandered and improvised often, and it worked. The band behind him sounded great, adding to the experience.
FILPTURN
Flipturn is in its stride and they knows it. They’re playing like they’ve got something to prove. Dillon Basse spun around like he was plugged into the amps, while Mitch Fountain made the constant guitar-to-keys swaps look easy. The fan base is already hardcore, and this set probably added a few hundred more.
ARCADE FIRE
Canadian band Arcade Fire is a spectacle. They had nine people on stage, all bouncing between instruments, trading vocals, and building sound. “The Suburbs” and “Ready to Start” got loud singalongs, but “Pink Elephant” and “Rebellion (Lies)” were the real stunners. Régine Chassagne was all over the stage on violin, keys, drums, and vocals. Her duet with Win Butler (who dipped into the crowd at some point) during “Pink Elephant” was both intimate and sweet. It was an absolutely packed closer to the festival. The crowd didn’t move an inch until the last note rang out.
The vibe of High Water Festival may have slightly changed, but the bones are still good. There are more national sponsors, fewer local booths, but the music is still the anchor. Day Two was a little less rowdy and a little more reflective than Day One, and it was still 100% worth showing up for. We can’t wait for High Water Festival 2026!
Head to our Facebook page for the full Day Two gallery!
All Photo Credit: Lane Bickett
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.