Festivals
Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 – July 17 Recap & Photos
Day 6 of Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 brought a full-body workout disguised as a music festival. Between the relentless grooves, chilled-out jams, and occasional downpour, Thursday night at LeBreton Flats Park was a ride. Dancehall king Sean Paul made sure it ended in a sweaty, joy-filled mess.
Sean Paul took the RBC Stage under a Jamaican flag, hypeman in tow, and made it very clear: Ottawa still knows how to party. Even as the rain returned midway through his set, the crowd didn’t flinch. Armed with decades of hits like “Get Busy,” “Temperature,” “Baby Boy,” and “Like Glue,” he spun a high-energy, nostalgia-filled set that kept the crowd bouncing. The vibe was somewhere between high school dance and full-blown Caribbean carnival.
He shouted out the “sexy ladies” at least a dozen times but also gave a nod to moms because “they bring forth life… and they sexy too.” A true gentleman. At one point, he asked if Ottawa was ready to show the world it could still party, and judging by the jumping and screaming in the pit, the answer was yes. Newer songs didn’t land quite as hard but the diehards up front held it down.
Earlier in the night, Kardinal Offishall took his warm-up duties seriously with a lively main-stage set that was added after G-Eazy pulled out. Kardinal brought the fun, dropping hits like “Dangerous” and “Numba 1” while poking fun at Americans and questioning whether Ottawans had rhythm. He brought out Karl Wolf and even premiered a new track “SOAK, which had a sultry, summer-night energy that might’ve hit harder if the weather hadn’t cooled off so much. Still, it was a big win for the festival to have a Canadian hip-hop legend fill in.
Opening the RBC Stage was local duo DYSTOH, who set the tone early with a blast of rhythm, horns, and Afro-Latin fusion. Ray Tabana on baritone sax and Phil Motion on percussion were locked in from the first beat, blending soulful grooves and electronic textures into something that felt both deeply rooted and totally fresh. They even dropped a few SoulJazz Orchestra tracks, a nod to their shared musical past, but DYSTOH is very much its own thing.
Across the grounds, there was plenty more to catch. Over on the River Stage, Toronto’s LILYISHTHATYOU brought punchy alt-pop and Gen Z energy to her early set. She broke out with “FMRN” on TikTok back in 2021, but her newer songs like “No Favors” showed off a more confident, layered sound that’s built for big stages.
Alicia Moffet followed with something more reflective. The Quebec singer and former reality TV star leaned into the emotional material off her new album No, I’m Not Crying. Her smooth vocals and synthy ballads were a nice cooldown before the storm.
Peach Pit closed the River Stage with a jangly, lowkey set that pulled a massive crowd, including, apparently, Prime Minister Mark Carney, who tweeted that he was there. The Vancouver band mixed fan favourites like “Tommy’s Party” and “Alrighty Aphrodite” with newer material from Magpie. They’ve always walked the line between indie slacker charm and big-stage confidence, and on Thursday, they leaned into both. A few technical hiccups didn’t throw them off. They laughed them off, cracked a couple of dry jokes, and kept going.
At the LeBreton Stage, things took a more atmospheric turn. Harry Manx returned to the festival 20 years after his first Bluesfest appearance, and his set was just as hypnotic as ever. Blending Indian ragas, blues, and a bit of gospel, his performance was meditative. He was joined by singer and keyboardist Geneviève Jodoin, whose vocals added an ethereal texture. Between songs, Manx cracked jokes with deadpan delivery.
Moontricks followed with a much different kind of fusion: folk instrumentation paired with electronic beats. They’ve been refining this sound for years, and their set on Thursday showed how far they’ve come. Fans swayed, some danced, others just stood there soaking it all in. It was a vibe.
After nearly a week of sweltering heat, the cooler breeze and occasional drizzle felt like a gift. And despite the rain, Thursday might’ve been one of the most energetic days yet. From DYSTOH’s opening grooves to Sean Paul’s full-blown dance party, Day 6 of Bluesfest thrived in the weather.
Head to Ottawa Bluesfest’s website for more info on the rest of the festival.
Check out our favourite photos of Day 6 below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
SEAN PAUL
KARDINAL OFFISHALL
DYSTOH
LILYISHTHATYOU
ALICIA MOFFET
PEACH PIT
HARRY MANX
MOONTRICKS
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport
Festivals
All Things Go Toronto 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule Ahead of June Festival Weekend
All Things Go Toronto 2026 has officially shared the daily schedule for its 2026 edition, giving fans a closer look at how the weekend at RBC Amphitheatre will unfold on June 6 and 7.
The festival, which expanded into Toronto in 2025 after building a strong following in the United States, is bringing a lineup packed with indie pop, alternative, and rising Canadian talent. Doors for both days open at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday’s lineup is headlined by Kesha, who closes out the night with a set running from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Before that, hometown favourites The Beaches will take over the stage from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. The day will also feature performances from Rachel Chinouriri, Holly Humberstone, Sofia Camara, and Bella Kay.
Sunday shifts into a more indie-rock-heavy close with Lorde headlining from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The lead-up includes a stacked evening featuring Wet Leg and Del Water Gap. Earlier in the day, fans can catch sets from Jade LeMac, MOMMA, and Flower Face.
The schedule reveal arrives after months of anticipation surrounding the festival’s Toronto return. Lorde’s appearance comes during a major stretch for the singer following renewed live activity and growing excitement around her next era, while Kesha continues her recent comeback run that has leaned into a more independent and celebratory direction onstage.
With set times now locked in, fans can officially start planning their festival weekend, whether that means camping out for barricade spots, bouncing between artists, or preparing for what could easily become one of Toronto’s biggest music weekends of the summer.
Find more information on the All Things Go Toronto website.
Festivals
Charli XCX, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Skrillex, Kings Of Leon And The xx To Headline The 25th Anniversary Of Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026
In celebration of its 25th Anniversary, Austin City Limits Music Festival has delivered an electrifying 2026 lineup featuring headliners Charli xcx, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Skrillex (W1), Kings of Leon (W2) and The xx. The powerhouse lineup also includes Turnstile, Labrinth, Lola Young, The Chainsmokers, Geese, Young Miko, Bleachers, SOFI TUKKER, Parcels, The War On Drugs, Leon Thomas, Brandon Flowers (W1) and much more. The nine-stage, two weekend celebration of music and community will take place October 2-4 and October 9-11. 3-Day Tickets for both weekends will go on sale at 12pm CT today at www.aclfestival.com.
Austin City Limits Music Festival’s stages are where the next generation of headliners are born, and where music fans can discover the latest surge in up-and-coming talent. This year’s lineup features an incredible array of ones-to-watch talent, including Sienna Spiro (W2), Audrey Hobert, Bella Kay (W2), STELLA LEFTY (W1), Paris Paloma, Skye Newman, Claire Rosinkranz, Rochelle Jordan (W1), Charlotte Lawrence (W2), Molly Santana (W1),Faouzia, Britton (W1), Cassandra Coleman (W2), Sasha Keable (W2), Izzy Escobar (W1), Chelsea Jordan (W2), and more. 2026 also brings an amazing group of Latin artists to Zilker Park, including Young Miko, rusowsky, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Paloma Morphy, Damaris Bojor (W2), Rubio (W1), and more.
For 25 years, ACL Fest has delivered exceptional fan experiences and world-class lineups, all while honoring its Texas roots. This year’s proud homegrown artists include Bo Staloch (W1), World Famous Pets (W2), Calder Allen, Solya (W1), Asleep At The Wheel (W1), DJ Cassandra (W1), Cure For Paranoia (W1), NIGHT TRAVELER (W1), Grocery Bag (W1), Coleman Jennings (W1), lluvii (W2), Montclair (W2), Almost Heaven (W2), Left Lucid (W1), The 4411(W1), The Moriah Sisters (W1), and the Huston Tillotson University Jazz Collective (W2).
Relive 25 years of ACL Fest with us when you channel surf on aclfestival.com/25years!
3-Day General Admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum Tickets, Hotel + Festival Experience, and Group Hospitality Packages will go on sale today at 12pm CT at www.aclfestival.com. Layaway plans are available. 1-Day Tickets will be available at a later date. Music fans ages 8 and under are welcome free of charge to all general admission areas with a ticketed adult. Austin Kiddie Limits programming information will be announced later this summer.
GA+ includes unlimited access to the GA+ Lounge with air-conditioned restrooms, dedicated food for purchase, private bar with drinks for purchase, on-site hospitality team, and a jumbo screen livestreaming festival stages and top sports games. VIP guests will enjoy access to two lounges, which feature viewing decks with elevated sightlines of the two main stages, complimentary all-day beer, seltzer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages, complimentary WiFi and mobile chargers, dedicated food vendors for purchase, access to an air-conditioned lounge with relaxed seating and an Official Festival Merchandise store within the VIP East Lounge. Platinum guests will enjoy access to an air-conditioned lounge with relaxed seating, complimentary full-service bar and all-day dining in the Lounge, front-of-stage viewing at 6 stages with complimentary beer and seltzers, golf cart transportation between Platinum festival entrances, Platinum Lounges, and front-of-stage viewing areas, and so much more. A full list of GA, GA+, VIP, and Platinum amenities can be found at www.aclfestival.com/tickets.
Break away and unwind in a dedicated Bungalow located above the VIP viewing deck and overlooking the T-Mobile Stage, complete with lounge seating, complimentary beverages and all-day snacks and dinner buffet, complimentary WiFi, merchandise concierge with festival merchandise delivered directly to your Bungalow, and views of the T-Mobile Stage. The Bungalow package includes 10 tickets with full access to VIP. More information can be found at www.aclfestival.com/tickets.
The newest member of ACL Fest’s Group Hospitality Packages is The Speakeasy Lounge. This premier option allows your group to step into your own private, air-conditioned lounge on the festival grounds, providing an exclusive gathering space for 25–75 guests designed for unforgettable moments. Whether you’re hosting a private celebration, entertaining clients, or gathering your team for the day, this intimate yet vibrant setting offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and energy just steps away from the buzz of the festival, with access to VIP amenities included. More information can be found at www.aclfestival.com/tickets.
While experiencing all that ACL Fest has to offer, come hang awhile in the shady grove where Bonus Tracks brings the biggest party to the smallest stage at Zilker Park. A haven for culture and connection, the Bonus Tracks stage has become a must-see for festival goers. You can expect all kinds of entertainment from artist interviews, podcast recordings, cooking demos, drag performances, and creative ways to move your body and recharge your mind. Pasthighlights include Brené Brown in conversation with Matthew McConaughey, Dave Grohl and Brett Goldstein, intimate chats with Billie Eilish, Noah Cyrus, Antonio Porowski, Japanese Breakfast and The Beaches, surprise acoustic sets with featured artists from the lineup, high-energy dance parties and line-dance lessons with Bob’s Dance Shop, and the best of Austin Drag hosting bingo and unforgettable shows. Stay tuned for the 2026 lineup and expect the unexpected!
Disney+ and Hulu are the official streaming destinations for this year’s ACL Festival. Catch three days of select live performances, interviews, and much more during Weekend One, October 2-4. Full broadcast lineup and schedule to be announced later this summer.
This year, Spotify and ACL Fest are teaming up to give fans the ultimate festival flex. A new in–app experience will showcase the unique overlap between user listening history and the 2026 ACL Fest Lineup, a custom “Festival Persona” based on their unique listening habits and generate a bespoke playlist that intelligently pairs a fan’s top artists on the lineup. This new partnership brings the best of Spotify to ACL Festival goers who are looking to personalize their festival journey and find their next favorite artist before the first note even hits the stage. Head to Spotify to discover your personalized ACL Festival experience and listen to the Official ACL Festival Playlist here to get yourself ready for the best start to your fest.
Austin City Limits Music Festival is proud to call Zilker Park home. Since 2006, ACL Festival, in partnership with Austin Parks Foundation, has generated more than $79 million towards improvements to Zilker Park and parks across Austin. In 2025, through a percentage of ticket sales, fans of ACL Fest contributed $8.5 million to improving Austin’s public parks, trails, and green spaces. In the coming year, APF will utilize ACL Fest funds to help design and complete park improvement projects across Austin including projects at Chestnut Pocket Park, Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park, and Onion Creek Metropolitan Park in addition to funding sport court improvements across multiple districts. For more information about Austin Parks Foundation’s work in the Austin community and how fans have contributed to Austin’s parks, please visit https://austinparks.org/acl-music-festival/.
Fans can sign up for the ACL Fest SMS and Email Lists to be the first to get new information at www.aclfestival.com and follow social media to stay in the loop on all festival announcements.