Festivals
LASSO Montréal 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule for Fifth Anniversary Festival
The countdown to LASSO Montréal 2026 is on. With less than two months to go before the festival returns to Parc Jean-Drapeau on August 15 and 16, organizers have unveiled the full daily schedule for the event’s fifth anniversary, giving fans a chance to start planning their weekend.
Across two days, 36 artists will perform on four stages, from major country headliners to rising names and local talent. The festival will get an early start on August 14 with LASSO in the City, which will bring live country music and festival energy into downtown Montréal ahead of the main event. More details on that celebration are expected soon.
Saturday will kick off with Arpin Lépine opening the Coors Original Prairie Stage at 2 p.m., followed by sets from Laci Kaye Booth, James Barker Band, Max McNown, and Jon Pardi. Over on the Bell LASSO Stage, fans can catch Elizabeth Nichols, Chance Peña, The Band Perry, and Koe Wetzel, before Thomas Rhett closes out the night from 9:20 p.m. to 10:50 p.m.
The Coca-Cola Ranch Stage will showcase emerging talent throughout the day, including Tyla Rodrigues, Shawnee Kish, Léa Jarry, Noah Bridgen, and Waylon Wyatt. Fans looking for a more intimate experience can head to the SiriusXM Backyard Sessions, featuring performances from Krystel Mongeau, Theo Day, and Hayden Ryann.
Sunday follows a similar format, with Kalsey Kulyk opening the Prairie Stage before performances by Lily Fitts, Jonah Kagen, Cameron Whitcomb, and Old Dominion.
The Bell LASSO Stage will feature Just Jayne, Classe Moyenne, Carly Pearce, and Turnpike Troubadours, leading into the weekend’s final headlining performance from Mumford & Sons, who take the stage at 9 p.m.
The Ranch Stage lineup includes Blue Ridge Band, Morgan Griffiths, Zach Chico, Gab Bouchard, and Blake Whiten, giving fans plenty of opportunities to discover new artists throughout the day. The SiriusXM Backyard Sessions will spotlight Sorrene, Joël Vogt, and Paige Somerville, along with other emerging performers.
Beyond the music, LASSO will once again feature its popular line dancing tent, interactive activities throughout the grounds, family-friendly attractions, and plenty of food and drink options. As the festival celebrates its fifth edition, organizers are promising its biggest and most festive year yet, combining established country stars with the next generation of artists in one of Canada’s premier country music festivals.
Check out the schedule below or head to LASSO’s website for more information.
Festivals
HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 – Recap & Photos
The Prudential Center was absolutely buzzing as it hosted the much-anticipated HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026, a classic highlight of New York’s summer music scene. This event is all about bringing together the best of the best in hip hop, rap, and R&B, creating a stage where both rising stars and seasoned veterans can shine.
This year’s lineup was stacked, featuring big names like French Montana, Max B, DaBaby, and G Herbo, promising to be “the biggest party ever to hit an arena.” To keep the party jumping, Hot 97 enlisted the help of legendary on-air personalities Funkmaster Flex, Nessa, and the Mornings with Mero team. As anticipated, the lineup drew a packed house, completely selling out the venue.
Hip Hop heads can go all the way back to the 90s to see just why something like this matters so much to the culture. Over the years, HOT 97 Summer Jam has given us unforgettable moments, from sparking epic rap feuds to reuniting legendary groups. This year was no different, packed with standout highlights. It’s not false advertising to say something iconic will happen on a Summer Jam stage – it’s expected.
One of the biggest moments of the night was Fetty Wap‘s homecoming. The crowd went wild for hits like “679” and “My Way,” though he had to cut his set short because of time limits. As the show rolled on, Yung Miami brought the energy with her summer banger “Spend Dat,” even tossing stacks of cash into the audience, causing a frenzy with everyone trying to stuff their pockets. Emerging artists were also front and center, like Zeddy Will, who energized the crowd from the upper bowl. DaBaby also brought his infectious energy to the crowd as he ran through his catalog, connecting with the fans in a unique way that really elevated the atmosphere.
On a sultry R&B vibe, Mariah the Scientist performed hits like “Is It a Crime” and “Burning Blue,” showcasing her killer stage presence and stunning vocals. The night wrapped up with French Montana, who brought out Max B and Remy Ma to help perform nostalgic Coke Boys favorites like “Unforgettable,” “Stay Schemin,” and “Ever Since You Left Me.” Despite their busy schedules with tours and new music releases, it’s great to see these artists giving back to the culture. They provided fans with a taste of their musical talents while solidifying their place in Summer Jam history. The surprise guests who were not listed on the lineup truly made this showcase unforgettable. We had the chance to see Lola Brooke, Fat Joe, and the entire cast of Zeus Network’s hit show, The Baddies. It truly was the hottest ticket of the weekend.
I just wished we could have partied a little longer. Some acts were unable to hit the stage for the final curtain, but on all accounts, the Hot 97 team delivered a show they can be proud of. HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 left everyone hyped. Funkmaster Flex hosted the night flawlessly, keeping the energy high and the transitions smooth between acts. You can bet that the fans are already hyped for what next year has in store, eagerly locked into Hot 97 on the radio for the next Summer Jam lineup. I’ll be looking out for that announcement too; I know they are already cooking for 2027.
Check out our favorite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: @GALLERYBYTM | Anthony Grant Photography
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – Kaytranada
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE closed out another memorable week on Sunday with the biggest match in world football and a fitting musical finale. Fans packed the site well before kickoff, creating a sea of jerseys, flags, and face paint as they gathered to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. Every big chance was met with gasps and cheers, and when Spain secured the victory, the celebrations spread across the festival grounds as supporters soaked in the final moments of a month-long tournament.
There was little time for the excitement to settle before the day’s entertainment shifted from football to live music. Montreal’s Kaytranada took over the Amphitheatre stage, giving fans one last reason to keep the energy going after the trophy presentation. Known for blending house, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music into a sound that feels uniquely his own, Kaytranada delivered exactly the kind of set the festival needed to close the weekend.
With Spain crowned world champions and Kaytranada providing the soundtrack to the celebration, the FIFA Fan Festival wrapped up another successful day at the PNE. It was a reminder that throughout the tournament, football and music proved to be the perfect combination, bringing thousands of people together to celebrate on and off the pitch.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
KAYTRANADA
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer