Festivals
îlesoniq 2026 Reveals Lineup For The 11th Edition
îLESONIQ presented by Bell, Canada’s one-of-a-kind festival, is back for its 11th edition on August 8 and 9, 2026, at Parc Jean-Drapeau—one of the very best festival sites, surrounded by water, lush green spaces, and trees. This year promises an unforgettable weekend of music, dancing, and immersive experiences celebrating Montréalers’ favourite electronic music festival! As always, îLESONIQ kicks off on Friday, August 7, with îLESONIQ in the City—a vibrant party taking over downtown Montréal (more details to come).
With all the hallmarks of a world-class festival, îLESONIQ will deliver electrifying sets across three stages, complete with stunning visuals, explosive pyrotechnics, and powerful sound systems that will make the music pulse throughout the site. Expect a bold, high-energy program built to keep the party going all weekend long at Parc Jean-Drapeau, where the waterfront setting and iconic Montréal skyline create an unforgettable backdrop.
Get ready for a weekend fueled by heavy hitters from start to finish. Leading the charge are two standout headliners: Dom Dolla and Chris Lake & Friends!
Dom Dolla is one of today’s most in-demand electronic music artists, and we’re thrilled to announce his return to îLESONIQ this year with his signature bass-heavy grooves, punchy drops, and high-energy anthems—continuing to cement his status as a fan favorite with Montréal crowds. A 2024 GRAMMY nominee and eight-time ARIA Award nominee for Best Dance Release, Dom has lit up major festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Tomorrowland, while also selling out iconic venues like Red Rocks and the Sydney Myer Music Bowl. In December 2025, he made history at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, performing for 40,000 fans as the first electronic act to headline an Australian stadium show. Montreal is no exception: his most recent headline performance in 2025 transformed the Esplanade at Montreal’s Parc Olympique into a massive dancefloor for a truly unforgettable night. Now back at îLESONIQ, Dom Dolla is poised to deliver one of the weekend’s most electric sets, packed with huge moments and nonstop energy from start to finish.
Chris Lake is one of house music’s most compelling acts, with a monumental catalogue of chart-topping hits and a Grammy nomination. The British producer and DJ has brought his explosive sets to virtually every major music festival and some of the world’s biggest clubs. He’s returning to îLESONIQ, this time with a unique set featuring surprise guests, bringing the “& Friends” concept to life. Together, they’ll turn the Bell OASIS Stage into a full-blown party with an exclusive, fully custom Canadian production designed by Chris Lake in partnership with the festival. It’s a first-of-its-kind experience—a rare, can’t-miss moment and one of the weekend’s most anticipated sets. Stay tuned!
Joining this year’s lineup is deadmau5, the proudly Canadian electronic music pioneer known for his instantly recognizable helmet, intricate soundscapes, and lasting impact on the modern EDM scene. Anaheim-based producer AYYBO is set to turn heads with infectious energy and compelling visuals that transform his sets into full-scale experiences. Also not to be missed is Rezz, who knows exactly how to hypnotize crowds with her dark, driving, hypnotic sound. Wooli, a longtime îLESONIQ favourite and a standout among Montréal crowds, returns with his signature blend of melodic future bass and hard-hitting dubstep for a high-energy performance. Rounding out the highlights, Above & Beyond, the iconic leaders of the Anjuna family, are set to elevate the weekend and further shape the festival’s unmistakable atmosphere.
As always, îLESONIQ is committed to bringing fresh sounds to its audience by spotlighting exciting newcomers to the festival. Don’t miss standout artists making their îLESONIQ debut, including LYNY, whose rise has been unstoppable as he continues to push the boundaries of electronic music, and HAYLA, who has emerged over the past few years as one of the most in-demand vocalists in global dance music, featuring on major releases alongside John Summit, MEDUZA, Sub Focus, and deadmau5, and captivating crowds worldwide. Making his festival debut, ¥ØU$UKE ¥UK1MAT$U is a respected figure in Japan’s underground electronic scene. He’s known for unpredictable, genre-blending sets (techno, trance, noise, ambient) and a high-energy presence that surged internationally after a viral Boiler Room Tokyo performance—earning him the reputation of a true “DJ’s DJ.” Fans can also look forward to the first-ever îLESONIQ performance from Boris Brejcha, the German DJ and producer behind the pioneering “High-Tech Minimal” sound, instantly recognizable for his signature Joker mask and high-energy live shows.
With Montreal often being referred to as the ‘’Bass Capital of the World’’ by artists and fans alike, we’re giving a special nod to bass fans this edition with an exceptional lineup. Expect renowned artists, including Sub Focus, ATLiens, Seven Lions, Layz b2b Kompany, and many more, ready to light up the stages and bring the energy to the next level.
Mark your calendars: 2-day tickets go on sale tomorrow, January 29 at noon.
TICKET PRICES FOR îLESONIQ 2026
(Prices are subject to change without notice. Taxes and service fees included.)
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET / 2 DAYS: starting at $210 CAD
PARTY DECK / 2 DAYS: starting at $325 CAD
RBCxMUSIC GOLD TICKET / 2 DAYS: starting at $370 CAD
SKY LOUNGE TICKET / 2 DAYS: starting at $445 CAD
DIAMOND TICKET / 2 DAYS: starting at $570 CAD
American Express Cardmembers can get Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets™* access starting today, January 28 at 10 a.m. ET until
tomorrow, January 29 at 10 a.m. ET.
*Subject to availability. Ticket limits and terms apply.
Click HERE to take advantage of the offer.
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Walk Off The Earth, Fionn, Felix Cartal, and France Fans
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE kept the World Cup excitement rolling on Saturday, July 4, as fans gathered for another full day of football, live music, and celebrations. With two Round of 16 matches on the giant screens and a lineup of Canadian artists filling the Amphitheatre Stage, the atmosphere remained lively from morning through the evening.
The day had already delivered plenty of drama before the concerts began. Morocco had stunned host nation Canada earlier in the day to book a place in the quarter-finals, ending Canada’s historic World Cup run after its first-ever appearance in the Round of 16. A few hours later, France defeated Paraguay to secure the final quarter-final spot, setting up a meeting with Morocco in one of the tournament’s most intriguing matchups. As the final whistle blew, fans quickly shifted their attention from the football to the music just a few steps away.
Vancouver-based band Fionn, consisting of twins Alanna and Brianne Finn-Morris, was first on stage, offering an engaging performance that fit the late afternoon perfectly. Their warm vocals and heartfelt indie-pop songs gave the crowd a chance to catch their breath after another emotional day of World Cup action. Many fans who had spent hours watching the matches stayed put, creating an attentive audience that truly enjoyed the show.
Right after, Walk Off The Earth took over and instantly changed the pace. The Ontario group has built its reputation on creative arrangements and infectious energy, and they delivered exactly that. Their performance blended pop, rock, folk, and plenty of crowd interaction, turning the Amphitheatre into a giant singalong. The band’s playful chemistry and multi-instrumental approach kept fans engaged from start to finish, with many dancing along and singing every word.
At the Park Stage, Vancouver-born DJ and producer Felix Cartal took over. A familiar face on festival lineups across the country, Cartal delivered a polished electronic set that kept fans dancing until the festival closed. His mix of melodic house, upbeat remixes, and crowd-pleasing drops provided the perfect soundtrack to cap off a day that had already been packed with football drama and live music.
The FIFA Fan Festival has consistently shown that it offers far more than football. Saturday’s schedule paired knockout-stage drama with live performances that gave supporters another reason to stay long after the matches had ended. Even with Canada’s elimination still fresh in many minds, the festival remained a welcoming place to celebrate the global game, discover Canadian talent, and enjoy a summer evening surrounded by thousands of fellow fans. With the quarter-finals now set, anticipation continued to build for another unforgettable week at Vancouver’s Fan Festival.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
WALK OFF THE EARTH
FIONN
FELIX CARTAL
FRANCE FANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
Montréal Jazz Festival 2026 – Patrick Watson
July 3, 2026
If you thought the outdoor main stage at Jazz Fest was packed earlier in the week, it had absolutely nothing on the sea of people that squeezed into the Place des Festivals for Patrick Watson. The site was packed right to the limit. The last time he played the festival back in 2021, it was to a strictly limited, socially distanced crowd, and he actually took a moment to contrast that eerie, quiet landscape with the overwhelming wall of faces looking back at him this time around. The massive turnout made it feel like the city had just been waiting for the perfect moment to properly welcome him back.
The whole night felt like a massive, curated homecoming celebration with his favourite people on earth. By the third song, he already had the crowd cheering when he brought out Montreal’s own Martha Wainwright, who has been heavily involved in the local scene and festival circuit this year, to share the stage. Right after that, he raised the bar even higher by bringing up a string quartet for a stunning performance of “Ode to Vivian.” He took a second to tell the story behind the track, explaining how it was inspired by the street photographer Vivian Maier, who secretly kept her incredible work to herself until she passed, only to posthumously become an inspiration to thousands of photographers worldwide.
The emotional peak of the set came during “To Build a Home.” Watson talked about how deeply the experience of growing up in Montreal shaped him both as a person and a musician, noting that his music could only ever be written in a city with this exact type of creative spirit. As the song played, vintage 1960s video footage of Montreal rolled across the massive backdrops, which gave the whole performance an incredibly nostalgic, cinematic weight. He kept the collaborations rolling through the night, too, pulling the brilliant November Ultra onto the stage for “Silencio,” and later bringing out the rising indie-folk artist Solann.
The years might be passing, but Patrick Watson proves every time he steps on a stage that he remains an absolute force of nature. He doesn’t care about shifting trends; he just cares about his craft. A few people floating around the crowd might have been a little disappointed not to hear some of the older classics like “Lighthouse” or “The Great Escape,” but honestly, what better setting is there to test out your newest material than the Montreal Jazz Festival in front of your home crowd? Besides, when the performance is that stunning from start to finish, you really can’t be mad about it.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
PATRICK WATSON
All Photo Credit: Andres Amaya