Festivals
LASSO Montréal Announce 2026 Lineup
The ride continues, country music fans! As LASSO Montréal celebrates its fifth anniversary, the festival enters a new chapter in 2026, taking place for the first time on a full Saturday-Sunday weekend, August 15–16, at the stunning Parc Jean-Drapeau on Montréal’s Île Sainte-Hélène. Presented by Bell in collaboration with Coors Original, the 2026 edition will be preceded by LASSO in the City on Friday, August 14.
Following the announcement of headliners Thomas Rhett and Mumford & Sons, joined by major performances from Jon Pardi and Old Dominion, this year’s festival returns with a bold and diverse program spanning international icons, Canadian household names and Québec’s next generation of country stars. While proudly rooted in country music, LASSO Montréal delivers a dynamic live experience that extends beyond the genre and resonates with fans of all musical tastes, featuring familiar hits, unexpected covers, and unforgettable moments that bring everyone together.
LASSO Montréal is proud to unveil its 2026 lineup, bringing together leading voices across the country, Americana, folk and southern rock scenes. Set against the waterfront and Montréal’s iconic skyline, fans are invited to gather for sun-filled days and unforgettable summer nights at one of Canada’s premier country music destinations.
LASSO is honoured to welcome Texas native Koe Wetzel, whose Southern rock–leaning sound, boundary-pushing approach, and high-energy live shows have earned him a fiercely loyal fanbase. Fresh off his first-ever No. 1 hit, “High Road” featuring Jessie Murph, and with a new album arriving in 2026, Wetzel will make his Montréal debut at LASSO. Also set to take the stage are Turnpike Troubadours, the Oklahoma-born band widely recognized for helping bring Red Dirt country into the mainstream landscape. Celebrated for their powerful storytelling and dynamic full-band performances, the group has earned deep respect across the industry and is often cited as a major influence by many of today’s most authentic country artists. With a massive following throughout the United States, their appearance at LASSO marks their first-ever show in Québec, making it a highly anticipated moment of the weekend. Rising talent Max McNown continues to build strong momentum in the city, having sold out every show he has played here to date, further highlighting his rapid ascent. Y’all can also look forward to Carly Pearce, whose chart-topping “I Hope You’re Happy Now” cemented her place among country music’s leading voices, with new music on the horizon. Also featured this year is Chance Peña, whose breakout hit “I Am Not Who I Was” has made waves across the indie, pop, and folk scenes, while gaining significant traction on TikTok. After announcing his North American tour, Peña sparked strong demand from Montréal audiences, positioning his LASSO appearance as a must-see performance of the weekend.
The lineup places a strong emphasis on Canadian artists, with Cameron Whitcomb returning for a second consecutive year. Known for his high-energy performances, Whitcomb continues to emerge as one of Canada’s most promising next-generation country stars. Among this year’s artists are fan favourites James Barker Band, whose signature blend of anthemic hooks and crowd-pleasing energy has made them a staple of the Canadian country scene. Québec-based acts Classe Moyenne and Zach Chico — two fast-rising artists gaining strong momentum in the province — further reinforce LASSO’s deep connection to its homegrown community.
As always, LASSO Montréal remains committed to showcasing the depth and diversity of the country music landscape, serving as a platform for both established stars and emerging talent. Also featured on this year’s lineup is The Band Perry, whose global smash hit “If I Die Young” helped define the 2000s and left a lasting imprint on modern country and pop audiences alike. Rising singer-songwriters Waylon Wyatt, Jonah Kagen, and Blake Whiten represent a new generation of acoustic-driven storytellers who have quickly built dedicated fanbases through viral momentum online. Elizabeth Nichols, who gained widespread attention with her playful hit “I Got a New One,” brings fresh energy to the weekend, while Kalsey Kulyk, Laci Kaye Booth, and Just Jayne round out the weekend with distinctive voices set to shine at Parc Jean-Drapeau.
Marking its fifth edition, fans can look forward to the country-inspired atmosphere that has become a signature of LASSO— come on out, sing at the top of your lungs, line-dance and round up your favourite country-inspired outfits! You can even set up your camping chair on the lawn during the festival! So dust off your boots and pack up your chair — Parc Jean-Drapeau is calling for a weekend-long country music adventure!
2-day tickets for LASSO Montréal 2026 are already on sale at lassomontreal.com
Single-day tickets will go on sale this Friday, February 20, at 10 a.m.
TICKET PRICES FOR LASSO MONTRÉAL 2026:
(Prices are subject to change without notice. Taxes and service fees included.)
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET / 2 DAYS: starting at $ 250 CAD
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET / SINGLE DAY: starting at $ 150 CAD
PARTY DECK / 2 DAYS: starting at $ 390 CAD
PARTY DECK / SINGLE DAY: starting at $ 250 CAD
BIRKENSTOCK GOLD TICKET / 2 DAYS: starting at $ 475 CAD
BIRKENSTOCK GOLD TICKET / SINGLE DAY: starting at $ 330 CAD
BIRKENSTOCK SKY SALOON TICKET / 2 DAYS: starting at $ 625 CAD
BIRKENSTOCK SKY SALOON TICKET / SINGLE-DAY: starting at $ 435 CAD
American Express Cardmembers can get Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets™* access starting today, February 17 at 10 a.m. ET until Thursday, February 19 at 9: 59 a.m. ET. *Subject to availability. Ticket limits and terms apply.
Click HERE to take advantage of the offer.
$1 from every LASSO ticket sold will be donated to the evenko foundation in order to give music instruments to schools in need across Québec.
Festivals
Governors Ball 2026 Release Daily Schedules
The set times are in. Governors Ball Music Festival just dropped its daily schedules for June 5–7, and the usual game begins: mapping your day, picking your battles, and accepting you can’t see everything.
Friday, June 5
Day one leans indie-pop into rap by night. Lorde closes the main stage at 8:30, opposite the tail end of Baby Keem(7:30–8:30). That’s your first big call: polished pop spectacle or Keem’s high-energy set.
Earlier, things get messy in a good way. KATSEYE (6:35–7:30) overlaps with Pierce the Veil (5:30–6:30) bleed, and The Beths (6:00–7:00) sit right in between. Indie fans will feel that pinch.
Midday conflicts are lighter, but The Dare (4:00–4:45) vs. Arcy Drive (3:30–4:15) creates a small fork in the road.
If you’re pacing yourself, the cleanest run is late afternoon into Mariah the Scientist (4:45–5:30), then pick your lane.
Saturday, June 6
Saturday is the most chaotic on paper. Stray Kids headline at 8:30, directly after Kali Uchis (7:30–8:30). That transition is smooth if you stay put.
The real trouble hits earlier. Major Lazer (6:30–7:30) collides with Blood Orange (5:30–6:30) and the start of Amyl and the Sniffers (7:30–8:30). Dancehall vs. alt-R&B vs. punk. Pick a mood and commit.
Mid-card is stacked with clashes: Ravyn Lenae (4:00–4:45) overlaps with Jane Remover (3:30–4:15), and Snow Strippers (4:45–5:30) runs right into Wet Leg (4:45–5:30). That last one is a true coin flip, two buzzy acts at the exact same time.
Sunday, June 7
Sunday might be the strongest day top to bottom. A$AP Rocky closes at 8:45, opposite the end of JENNIE (7:45–8:45) and Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (7:45–8:45). That’s the toughest final hour of the weekend.
The lead-up is just as tight. Dominic Fike (6:45–7:45) overlaps with Clipse (5:45–6:45) and Hot Mulligan (6:15–7:15). Three different crowds, same window.
Earlier, Japanese Breakfast (4:00–4:45) and Holly Humberstone (3:15–4:00) form a nice back-to-back if you stay mobile, but Between Friends (2:30–3:15) cuts into that flow.
The takeaway
Friday is manageable. Saturday is conflict-heavy. Sunday is stacked late.
If you hate missing songs, plan short splits. If you want full sets, accept you’ll miss something big. That’s part of the deal, and honestly, half the fun.
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.