Festivals
Republic Live Announces The Finalists For The 2025 Boots And Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase

Republic Live, the producers of the internationally acclaimed and multi-award-winning Boots and Hearts Music Festival, are thrilled to announce the eight finalists for the 2025 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase (EAS), set to take place at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds. The finalists will perform on Thursday, August 7th to open the Kick-Off party featuring Tyler Joe Miller and headliner Justin Moore.
This moment marks a significant milestone for these rising stars. Along with the chance to perform on the festival’s main stage, the winner of the 2025 EAS will receive a $10,000 cash prize, a single release with Universal Music Canada, artist development sessions with RLive Management, a Gibson J-45 Special guitar, and a VIP tour of the Gibson Garage in Nashville.
All remaining finalists will be awarded a complimentary one-year STRUT VIP membership—an exclusive platform designed to empower emerging artists with vital tools, industry access, and personalized support to accelerate their careers.
The 2025 Emerging Artist Showcase Finalists are:
Amanda Couture – Medicine Hat, AB
Annika Catharina – Deroche, BC
Jade Hilton – Toronto, ON
Lake Porter – Kingston, ON
Lowell Lawson – Toronto, ON
School House – Ottawa, ON
Sean Michael Ryan – Riverview, NB
Warren Hargraves – Komoka, ON
Republic Live is also thrilled to announce that Sarah Vanderzon, winner of the 2024 EAS, has joined the roster of RLive Management. Raised just outside of Montreal, Vanderzon charmed audiences with her relatable energy and storytelling. Following the success of her 2023 independent EP, Same Sad Eyes, and her breakout festival performances, Vanderzon returns to perform at Thursday night’s Kick-Off Party (8/7), alongside Tyler Joe Miller and headliner Justin Moore.
“Partnering with the powerhouse team at RLive is truly a privilege. I have deep admiration for their work ethic and their unwavering commitment to growing artists’ careers,” shares Vanderzon. “The journey through the music industry is rarely easy, but with the support of my newfound collaborators, the road ahead feels a lot less intimidating, and I can’t wait to bring my vision to life.”
“This is an exciting day for our entire team. To officially welcome the 2024 winner Sarah Vanderzon to the RLive Management roster, while announcing this year’s Emerging Artist Showcase finalists, is a true testament to our dedication to building, supporting, and developing the best of Canada’s rising stars,” says Kate Howse, Artist Manager at RLive. “With an overwhelming number of entries this year, our finalists represent the best of the best from across the country, and we can’t wait to see them perform at Boots and Hearts this August.”
Visit www.bootsandhearts.com for more information about artists, tickets, RV and tent camping, and parking.
Festivals
Olivia Rodrigo Announces New Music Festival, Daisy Chain Fields Featuring All-Women Lineup
Today, GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum artist Olivia Rodrigo announced Daisy Chain Fields, a new music festival bringing together women in music to support and uplift women and girls. The festival will celebrate the power of collective experiences to inspire new ideas, deepen understanding, and drive action. Taking place August 29 at Great Park in Irvine, California, the single-day event will bring together an all-women lineup of groundbreaking artists, women- and girls-focused nonprofit organizations, and a community rooted in creativity, connection, and collective impact. Net proceeds from the festival will benefit non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls.
The festival’s lineup features Bikini Kill, Chappell Roan, Die Spitz, Doechii, Eli, Garbage, KATSEYE, Mistki, Not For Radio, Olivia Rodrigo, Quiet Light, Rachel Chinouriri, Santigold, and The Breeders, all across two stages, along with special guests Karen O, Sarah McLachlan and Stevie Nicks.
“Daisy Chain Fields is built on the belief that joy, community, and creativity can inspire meaningful change,” says Rodrigo. “I’m so excited to celebrate this incredible lineup of women, and I’m grateful to all of our partners in helping us make this festival come to life. By bringing together women in music and organizations helping shape a better future for women and girls, I hope we can build a community that inspires hope and positive change.” See Rodrigo’s full mission statement for the festival at daisychainfields.com.
Beyond the music, Daisy Chain Fields will feature nonprofit activations, educational resources, community art experiences, local vendors, fan pop-ups, and immersive installations designed to foster connection and engagement. Festival attendees will have opportunities to learn about and support organizations working across reproductive rights, maternal health, economic empowerment, domestic violence prevention, and gender equity.
Some of the organizations Daisy Chain Fields is partnering with include:
- Baby2Baby
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance
- Center for Reproductive Rights
- FreeFrom
- Jhpiego
- Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health
- National Domestic Workers Alliance
- National Institute for Reproductive Health
- National Women’s Law Center
- Planned Parenthood
For more information on the organizations, head to daisychainfields.com.
TICKETS: The Festival Presale begins Wednesday, June 24 at 10am PT. Fans can sign up for a presale passcode via SMS or email at daisychainfields.comnow through June 24.
All tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Please check the festival website and social media for more news. For any additional ticket information please visit support.daisychainfields.com.
The festival announcement follows the release of Rodrigo’s third studio album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love out now via Geffen Records – listen/buy here. The new album is the biggest solo debut of 2026, with 485,000 units sold in the first week. The first single released from the album “drop dead”, made Rodrigo the first person ever to debut the first 3 singles off their first 3 albums at #1. Listen/watch here. The second single released from the album, “the cure” also hit #1 on several Billboard charts including the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, Hot Alternative Songs, and Alternative Digital Song Sales charts. Listen/watch here. Rodrigo also released the official music video for new track “stupid song”. Directed by Mitch Ryan and shot in New York City, the video was choreographed by and features Prima Ballerina Tiler Peck and other dancers from the NYC Ballet and American Ballet Theater – watch here. Limited-edition merchandise, curated collectibles, vinyl and more are available now.
Daisy Chain Fields is produced by C3 Presents and Live Nation.

Festivals
LASSO Montréal 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule for Fifth Anniversary Festival
The countdown to LASSO Montréal 2026 is on. With less than two months to go before the festival returns to Parc Jean-Drapeau on August 15 and 16, organizers have unveiled the full daily schedule for the event’s fifth anniversary, giving fans a chance to start planning their weekend.
Across two days, 36 artists will perform on four stages, from major country headliners to rising names and local talent. The festival will get an early start on August 14 with LASSO in the City, which will bring live country music and festival energy into downtown Montréal ahead of the main event. More details on that celebration are expected soon.
Saturday will kick off with Arpin Lépine opening the Coors Original Prairie Stage at 2 p.m., followed by sets from Laci Kaye Booth, James Barker Band, Max McNown, and Jon Pardi. Over on the Bell LASSO Stage, fans can catch Elizabeth Nichols, Chance Peña, The Band Perry, and Koe Wetzel, before Thomas Rhett closes out the night from 9:20 p.m. to 10:50 p.m.
The Coca-Cola Ranch Stage will showcase emerging talent throughout the day, including Tyla Rodrigues, Shawnee Kish, Léa Jarry, Noah Bridgen, and Waylon Wyatt. Fans looking for a more intimate experience can head to the SiriusXM Backyard Sessions, featuring performances from Krystel Mongeau, Theo Day, and Hayden Ryann.
Sunday follows a similar format, with Kalsey Kulyk opening the Prairie Stage before performances by Lily Fitts, Jonah Kagen, Cameron Whitcomb, and Old Dominion.
The Bell LASSO Stage will feature Just Jayne, Classe Moyenne, Carly Pearce, and Turnpike Troubadours, leading into the weekend’s final headlining performance from Mumford & Sons, who take the stage at 9 p.m.
The Ranch Stage lineup includes Blue Ridge Band, Morgan Griffiths, Zach Chico, Gab Bouchard, and Blake Whiten, giving fans plenty of opportunities to discover new artists throughout the day. The SiriusXM Backyard Sessions will spotlight Sorrene, Joël Vogt, and Paige Somerville, along with other emerging performers.
Beyond the music, LASSO will once again feature its popular line dancing tent, interactive activities throughout the grounds, family-friendly attractions, and plenty of food and drink options. As the festival celebrates its fifth edition, organizers are promising its biggest and most festive year yet, combining established country stars with the next generation of artists in one of Canada’s premier country music festivals.
Check out the schedule below or head to LASSO’s website for more information.


