Festivals
Osheaga 2022 Inside the Platinum Experience – Day 3 Recap & Photos
On Day 3 of Osheaga 2022, I decided to go all in and purchase a Platinum ticket. Spoiler alert: it was worth every dollar. From bottomless mimosas to watching Dua Lipa from the front pit, here’s what it was like living the Osheaga high life
The Platinum Life
Let’s start with what made this experience next-level. Early entry meant we breezed through security around 11am, and even caught a surprise: Dua Lipa doing soundcheck. Talk about a strong start.
Until about 2pm, the Garage/Platinum lounge served bottomless mimosas and handed out cute little brunch boxes. The food wasn’t Michelin-starred, but it hit the spot. I absolutely leaned into the mimosas and then hydrated like a champ afterward because that Montreal heat does not play.
Throughout the day, you could help yourself to ice cream, churros, espresso drinks, and snacks at the lounge until around 7 p.m. Add in upgraded toilets with actual plumbing and air conditioning, makeup touch-ups, RMT chair massages, lockers, and shaded lounges with comfy seating, and suddenly Osheaga felt more like a boutique resort with bangers playing in the background.
One of the most unexpected highlights of the weekend was getting to go backstage at the Scene de la Riviere. We tagged along with one of the festival directors for a quick behind-the-scenes tour, and it was fascinating to see the controlled chaos that makes an event of this scale run smoothly. From gear setups to staff buzzing around on golf carts, it was great to get a peek behind the curtain. We even snuck in a few selfies on stage (empty at the time, of course). It was definitely a bucket-list moment.
The real game-changer were the Platinum golf cart shuttle that whisked us between stages. No more crowd weaving and shuffling feet in the dirt. And when it was time to watch our faves, we had access to the front-of-stage viewing area. That meant showing up 30 minutes before a headliner and still scoring prime real estate. Not having to camp out in the sun was the highlight of our day.
The Artists
On to the music, here’s who we saw that day!
SAM FENDER
Armed with his Telecaster and North Shields swagger, Sam Fender brought British indie rock energy to the Scene de la Riviere. His vocals were powerful and raw, especially during his last song “Seventeen Going Under,” which had the crowd singing along . Fender’s set was passionate and punchy.
CHELSEA CUTLER
Chelsea’s set was the audio equivalent of your favourite coming-of-age film. She managed to keep things intimate even on a big stage. “Your Shirt” hit particularly hard and was amazing to watch live.
GRACIE ABRAMS
Gracie’s afternoon set was a perfect balance of delicate and devastating. Her lyrics drew everyone in, and you could see people swaying with their eyes closed as she played “21” and “Feels Like.” She may be soft-spoken, but her ability to command a crowd was undeniable. It felt like discovering someone mid-bloom. Keep an eye on her!
ROYAL BLOOD
Royal Blood turned the Scene de la Rivière stage into a chaos zone. For a two-piece, their sound felt huge and gritty. They engaged the crowd all the time and didn’t hesitate to make fun of us in the front-viewing pit for pretending to be VIPs. The last two tracks “Out of the Black” and “Figure It Out” almost had mini mosh pits forming in the afternoon sun. Watching them up close from the front pit was incredible.
GLASS ANIMALS
Easily one of the most fun sets of the weekend. Glass Animals brought a neon-tinted, psychedelic energy (and pineapples) that had everyone dancing. As expected, “Heat Waves” was a hit and had everyone singing in unison. Frontman Dave Bayley did not stop moving one instant and brought us along for the ride.
DUA LIPA
The queen herself. Dua closed out the festival with a flawless, high-glam set complete with synchronized dancers, laser lights, confetti, fireworks and glittery outfits. From “Levitating” to “Don’t Start Now,” she showed how she evolved into a full-blown performer. Being just 20 feet from the stage, dancing with other Platinum attendees-turned-friends was the best way to end Osheaga 2022.
This was my first Platinum-tier festival experience, and as a millennial surrounded by other like-minded folks (mostly also avoiding porta-potties and lineups), I can confidently say that it was worth it. Every perk, from the mimosas to the front-pit access, enhanced the weekend without distracting from the music.
I would absolutely go Platinum again, but next time, I’m going all-in for the full three days!
Click here our recap of Day 2 here.
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
VANS Warped Tour Announces 2026 Full Line-Up!
Vans Warped Tour, one of the most iconic, successful, and longest-running music festivals in history is bringing its celebrated community-driven experience north of the border with a highly anticipated stop in Montréal, Canada. Set for August 21 + 22, the Montréal edition will take over the expansive grounds of Parc Jean-Drapeau, the city’s premiere outdoor festival destination located along the St. Lawrence River.
Just minutes from downtown and easily accessible by metro, Parc Jean-Drapeau offers sweeping skyline views and a vibrant summer atmosphere. Festivalgoers can explore nearby neighborhoods such as Old Montréal, the Plateau, and the Quartier des Spectacles, making the weekend an immersive cultural experience both on and off the festival grounds.
Keeping with tradition, the full line-up listed alphabetically, which keeps the focus on the collective experience rather than headliners, the stacked bill spans generations of alternative and punk music, from genre-defining favorites like Simple Plan and Bowling For Soup to pop-rock staples such as Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard, and Mayday Parade, alongside rising voices including Jutes and LØLØ. Additionally, the 2026 Vans Warped Tour in Montreal features a mix of international and regional talent, including Montreal-based deathcore band Despised Icon and punk outfit The Anti-Queens.
In partnership with Insomniac, the two-day festival will feature over 100 artists spanning rock, pop punk, alternative, emo, hip-hop, ska and beyond, alongside appearances from world-class skateboarders and elite action-sports athletes. This latest iteration builds on Vans Warped Tour’s legacy while embracing a broader, more global future for one of music and skate culture’s most enduring live platforms. With its scenic waterfront setting, rich musical heritage, and reputation as one of North America’s top festival cities, Montréal provides the perfect backdrop for Vans Warped Tour’s signature blend of nostalgia, discovery, and community—uniting fans across generations for an unforgettable summer weekend.
Furthering their mission of artist discovery and fan-first ideology, last month Vans Warped Tour launched the first look at the artists performing this year with multiple artists being announced daily over the past 30-ish days exclusively on Vans Warped Tour social platforms.
In addition to Montreal, Canada, Vans Warped Tour is expanding its footprint and cultural impact after last year’s three sold-out U.S dates, as the tour will deliver five two-day festivals returning to Washington, DC, Long Beach, CA, and Orlando, FL, including the launch of two all-new international editions in both Montreal, Canada and also Mexico City, Mexico, marking a powerful global expansion.
Founded by Kevin Lyman in 1995, Vans Warped Tour built a singular legacy as the definitive summer festival for rock and alternative music fans, shaping generations of artists and audiences alike. Founded in 1995, Vans Warped Tour was never just a concert series; it was a proving ground, cultural crossroads, and community-driven platform where established acts shared stages with emerging talent, often at pivotal moments in their careers.
Throughout the years, Vans Warped Tour helped introduce and elevate artists who would go on to define modern music, with past performers including Blink-182, No Doubt, Sublime, Beck, Katy Perry, NOFX, Limp Bizkit, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Eminem, Yellowcard, Bad Religion, and countless others.
What set Vans Warped Tour apart was its accessibility and ethos. Affordable tickets, all-day festivals, genre-fluid lineups, and an environment where fans could discover new artists, connect directly with performers, and experience music alongside skate culture, activism, and community engagement. That spirit of openness and discovery became central to Vans Warped Tour’s identity, cementing its place as one of the most influential live music platforms in modern music history. Vans Warped Tour remains committed to accessible pricing, with weekend passes that started at an all-inclusive price of $237.00 (processing fees included) and are currently available for purchase at https://www.vanswarpedtour.com/tickets.
Festivals
Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots, Mumford & Sons To Headline Oceans Calling 2026
Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots, and Mumford & Sons will headline the 2026 edition of Oceans Calling Festival on September 25-27 at the Ocean City, Maryland Boardwalk. The festival returns to Ocean City Inlet Beach with more than 40 artists performing across 3 stages including Ludacris, O.A.R., Yellowcard, Shaggy, Liz Phair, and more on Friday along with Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, All Time Low, 311, Dashboard Confessional, Violent Femmes, and more on Saturday, with Caamp, My Morning Jacket, The Head and The Heart, Hanson, OK Go, Susan Hoffs, Jet, and more performing Sunday. View the entire lineup by-day here.
Pre-sale Tickets will be available this Thursday, March 5, from 10 AM–11 AM ET, offering guaranteed lowest priced GA and 1-Day Tickets for one hour only.
Beyond the stages, Oceans Calling highlights the best of East Coast flavor with fan-favorite local food vendors and Boardwalk staples complemented by live culinary demos from renowned chefs Robert Irvine, Antonia Lofaso, and more celebrating the region’s vibrant food scene; all hosted by Jason Biggs.
Festival goers will also have access to the Ocean City Boardwalk and its businesses in residence as well as the iconic Jolly Roger at the Pier amusement park, both located inside the festival grounds, as admission will be included with the purchase of an Oceans Calling Festival ticket.
Oceans Calling Festival ticket types include 1-Day and 3-Day, General Admission, GA+, VIP, and Platinum tickets, and layaway payment plans start at $20 down. GA+ offers fans unlimited access to a private lounge with seating, air-conditioned restrooms, complimentary water, private bar with drinks for purchase, and a dedicated on-site hospitality team. VIP delivers an exclusive seated viewing platform at the Main Stage, as well as prime viewing areas at all stages, VIP Lounge at Main Stage with air-conditioned restrooms, private bar with drinks for purchase and complimentary water, lockers, and mobile charging units for rent, and more. Platinum includes front-of-stage viewing at all stages, complimentary all-day dining and full-service bars, access to two Platinum Lounges with relaxed seating, air-conditioned restrooms, complimentary lockers and mobile charging, dedicated festival entrance, plus all the amenities of VIP, GA+, and GA, and more.
New this year, the 3-Day Bungalow Package offers an elevated, private festival experience for up to 12 guests per day at Oceans Calling. Guests enjoy unlimited access to a dedicated shaded bungalow with sweeping views of the Sea Bright Stage and festival grounds, plus private bars with complimentary all-day beverages, grab-and-go snacks, air-conditioned restrooms, Wi-Fi, merchandise concierge service, and dedicated on-site hospitality staff, all while maintaining full access to VIP and GA amenities for the complete festival experience. For the full list of ticket amenities, and to purchase 1-Day or 3-Day Tickets, visit www.oceanscallingfestival.com/tickets.