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
PNE Summer Night Concerts – Nelly
Nelly brought a career-spanning party to Vancouver’s Freedom Mobile Arch on August 26 as part of the PNE Summer Night Concerts, packing more than two decades of hits into a fast-moving set.
DJ Trife got things started with the Derrty Entertainment logo filling the big screens, then quickly brought out the headliner with little buildup. Nelly opened with “Where the Party At,” the Jagged Edge collaboration that launched straight into a run of familiar tracks. “E.I.,” “Air Force Ones,” “Shake Ya Tailfeather,” and “Batter Up” arrived early, with music video clips playing behind him and keeping the show firmly rooted in the era that made him a household name.
The Country Grammar material landed particularly well. Nelly performed the album’s title track with an added beat switch. The set also moved through his later musical evolution. A country-leaning stretch included “Hey Porsche,” “Cruise,” and “Lil Bit,” showing the range of an artist who has spent years crossing between hip-hop, pop, R&B, and country. He continued jumping through his catalogue with tracks such as “Pimp Juice,” “Grillz,” and “Move That Body.”
The biggest singalongs came near the end. “Hot In Herre” turned the Freedom Mobile Arch into a full-on party, followed by a phone-lit performance of “Dilemma.” Nelly closed with “Just a Dream,” ending the show abruptly after roughly an hour with no encore.
The short runtime may have left some fans wanting more, but the crowd still got what they came for: a greatest-hits-heavy celebration of an artist whose music has reached multiple generations.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
NELLY
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts – The Beaches
The Beaches have a knack for making a concert feel like hanging out with your funniest friends. Their August 25 stop at the Freedom Mobile Arch, part of the PNE Summer Night Concerts, was no exception.
Before The Beaches even took the stage, they paid tribute to Dolly Parton, who sadly passed away earlier that day. A photo of Parton was displayed on the venue’s big screen, while an extra microphone stand sat onstage with a white cowboy hat resting on top. Dolly’s music played through the venue before the show, making the tribute feel like a quiet but fitting send-off from one group of musicians to another.
This was my third time seeing the Toronto rockers in the past year, with the most recent being their set at All Things Go Toronto earlier this summer. Somehow, they still manage to make every show feel fresh. The songs are catchy, the musicianship is tight, and the banter is half the fun.
Frontwoman Jordan Miller has a natural way of connecting with a crowd. She jokes about relationships, asks for stories from the audience and turns the space into something that feels more like group therapy than a standard rock show. Before “Did I Say Too Much,” Leandra joked that she invited her ex to go to Whistler while they were in Vancouver, shaking her head in shame as the crowd laughed.
The night got a fun surprise when the cast of Off Campus joined the band on stage. A nod to their song “Edge of the Earth” that went viral on social media after appearing on the show.
Of course, “Blame Brett” remained one of the biggest moments of the night. Miller’s invitation to blame the exes was met with a massive response, turning the song into a full-room singalong.
The four members are just as comfortable showing off their musical chops. Kylie Miller and Leandra Earl traded guitar work throughout the set, with the solos during “Can I Call You in the Morning?” standing out.
Three shows in, I still easily understand the appeal. The Beaches know how to write songs people want to sing, but they know how to put on a show, too. At the PNE, they delivered another fun and entertaining night.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE BEACHES
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer