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 – all photos taken with a point & shoot camera from the crowd
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