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
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