Festivals
îLESONIQ 2025 Reveals Daily Schedules
With just two months to go, îLESONIQ has finally revealed the daily lineups for their 2025 edition and it’s stacked front-to-back. The electronic festival returns to Montreal’s Parc Jean-Drapeau on August 9 and 10, and this year marks its 10th anniversary. Based on the daily schedules, they’re clearly throwing down harder than ever.
Saturday, August 9
Saturday’s main action is locked into the Oasis Stage, where Steve Aoki and Kaskade hold down the evening slots, with John Summit closing things out. Maddix brings the energy in the late afternoon, while Frank Walker and Dave Summer keep things hot earlier on.
Over at the Mirage Stage, the bassheads get their fix with back-to-back-to-backs: Automhate b2b Beastboi, Dion Timmer b2b Calcium, and a late-night b2b from Sullivan King and Crankdat. Muzz and GorillAT hit the stage right before the sun sets, promising full-on chaos.
The Neon Stage stays steady with melodic house and techno vibes all day. Joris Voorn, LP Giobbi, and Cassian keep things smooth but driving. Eli Brown caps things off with a proper dark and punchy close.
Sunday, August 10
Sunday is a heavy hitter from all directions. Over on the Oasis Stage, Illenium returns to close the weekend in dramatic, feels-heavy fashion. Before him, Alesso, Mau P, and Oliver Heldens lead a solid mainstage stretch that runs from sunset till night.
On the Mirage Stage, the energy only builds. Ray Volpe b2b Kai Wachi will absolutely destroy the place, and Chase & Status will follow up with a jungle/UK bass masterclass. Sippy, Snails, and Alleycvt bring their signature crunch earlier in the day.
The Neon Stage once again provides an alternative for the deep-house crowd. Joshwa, Max Styler, and Deep Dish roll out a sun-drenched afternoon soundtrack. Layton Giordani and Sara Landry then deliver the kind of pounding, late-night techno sets that’ll test the speakers and the crowd’s stamina.
îLESONIQ’s 2025 edition is shaping up to be diverse in sound and the biggest in scale yet. Now that we’ve got set times, it’s time to start planning who you’ll rage, vibe, and decompress to. Start mapping your weekend!
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.
Festivals
Phillips Backyard Festival Returns With Chance the Rapper, Father John Misty, and Modest Mouse
Victoria’s summer concert calendar just got a major boost. The Phillips Backyard Music Festival is back, and this year it’s packing everything into one tight, three-day run from July 10–12 at Phillips Brewing & Malting Co..
After spreading across multiple weekends in past years, the 2026 edition trims things down to a single stretch, but the lineup is anything but smaller. Each night is led by a Grammy-winning or nominated act, with Chance the Rapper opening Friday, Father John Misty taking Saturday, and Modest Mouse closing things out on Sunday.
Chance’s booking is a big one. The Chicago artist has never played Victoria before, so expect a rush when tickets drop. Meanwhile, both Father John Misty and Modest Mouse are making long-awaited returns, with neither having played the city in over a decade.
The supporting lineup fills out nicely across the weekend. Friday leans upbeat with Duckwrth, Sophia Stel, Nicky MacKenzie, and DACEY. Saturday brings a mix of local and global names, including Sudan Archives and Victoria favourites Jon and Roy. Sunday wraps with indie staples like Wolf Parade, alongside Angine de Poitrine, Fake Shark, and Darrian Gerard.
Organizers are promising a smoother experience this time around. The space is getting an upgrade, the raised stage is staying, and RFID wristbands are out. There’s even more still to come, with additional artists set to be announced for the returning Music BC stage.
Tickets go on sale March 25 at 10 a.m., with single-day passes at $125 and full weekend access priced at $325. If past years are any indication, waiting is a bad idea.
More information on the festival’s website.
