Festivals
îLESONIQ In The City & îLESONIQ Afterparties Take Over Montreal On Festival Weekend
A decade in the making and over 500,000 fans strong, îLESONIQ, presented by Virgin Plus in collaboration with Beach Day, has become a cornerstone of Montréal’s vibrant summer music scene. Now that you’ve had a chance to familiarize yourself with the full schedule for this landmark 10th edition, it’s time to announce the îLESONIQ parties! The celebration expands beyond Parc Jean-Drapeau, with îLESONIQ in the City kicking things off on August 8 at several venues downtown. Over the course of the weekend, a series of official îLESONIQ Afterparties will keep the energy alive well into the night.
This 10th anniversary of îLESONIQ is a testament to the passion and loyalty of our community. Together, we’ve built something extraordinary—a festival that continues to set the standard for electronic music in Canada and beyond. Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating a decade of unforgettable memories, world-class talent, and the unbeatable energy that makes îLESONIQ so special.
For those looking to get their groove on early, the îLESONIQ team has put together a dynamite selection of performances in the form of îLESONIQ in the City on August 8 in various venues across the city, which will see some of the world’s leading DJs take over some of the hottest spots in Montréal.
Montréal is known for keeping the party going all night long, and this year’s îLESONIQ Afterparties are shaping up to be epic gatherings, providing a citywide home for nocturnal souls whose sole mission is to dance the night away! Non-stop parties, featuring top talent DJs and performers.
This year, the festival site has levelled up to maximize the festivalgoer’s experience with an all-new immersive L-acoutics sound setup at the Coca-Cola NEON stage! By the numbers, the 2025 edition of îLESONIQ is impressive to say the least – with 320 speakers & surround sound system, 124 subwoofers, 18 delay towers, 20 lasers, 32 cryo jet CO2 blasters, 6 bubble machines, 32 flame generators and much much more!
Tickets for îLESONIQ’s 10th edition are already on sale at ilesoniq.com.
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