Festivals
Rifflandia Festival 2025 Recap & Photos
There are few things as synonymous with September as the end of of summer, School starting up again, and the return of sweater weather . But in Victoria, the phrase “September Forever” rings especially true thanks to the yearly Rifflandia Festival. This iconic event draws a wide range of artists across countless genres, cementing it’s place as one of Vancouver Island’s premier music festivals.
Friday Festival go-ers were welcomed in with warm, open arms by the Australian folk group Hollow Coves, who kicked off the day with a foot tap’n performance packed with many wholesome sing a long moments. Their sound feels grounded in the very soil and sand that shaped their journey, painting vivid sonic landscapes rooted in adventure, the ocean, and living free- ideas that resonate deeply on the Island. The crowd was swept further into that spirit when they reached their hit single “Coastline”. The striking acoustic guitars accompanied by some contagiously groovy bass lines, sharp snare and kick drum that are enough to get your foot tap’n on the ground, your your hand on your thigh. But that’s when the duo, Ryan and Matt’s soaring, harmonized vocals and inspiring lyrics that truly warmed the soul, almost send you off on that cross country road trip you have always wanted to take!
First, Greeted with a cartoon version of herself on the big screen, the stage was then blessed with the presence of 2000’s R&B Sensation, Macy Gray, and what a sensation it was! Dressed to impress, and armed with her unmistakable raspy voice, she delivered a hit studded set list spanning her discography. Of course this included the multiple-platinum selling single “I Try”, sending the crowd into a collective sway as they sang along word for word. For a moment, everyone was transported back to the simpler days when the song ruled the airwaves. Nostalgia is a helluva drug, and we were all ridding high off her performance !
How do you follow Macy Gray? I’m not sure that’s a question with no easy answer, but blues rocker – Shakey Graves, had no troubles providing one! He began with his internet-famed “Roll The Bones” in his signature one-man band before being joined by the rest of his band to carve out an original thick cut of Texan rock n’ blue smothered in a dusty folk sauce! Each song sounds like the next chapter in a cowboy diary, written from the front porch with a guitar in hand. As the sun set behind the stage, the restless wanderer’s tales echo over the gazing crowd, pulling us into a journey through the Texan landscape, only to realize as the set came to an end, that we never actually left Victoria.
As the night edged closer to it’s peak, the energy needed one more spark before the the headliners, and The Funk Hunters were answered the call of duty! From the moment the hit the stage, bass was a pump’n, feet were a jump’n, and the energy was palpable! The crowd was in a frenzy! But this was only a little warmup! As quickly as the energy of the crowd rose, The Funk Hunters were joined by the highly respected, and long time collaborator Chali 2na. With his signature baritone voice flowing effortlessly over the thick bass lines and hard hitting synths, conscious rhymes were turned into high-energy, party anthems! This collaboration commands a presence on the dance floor, and the crowd of Rifflandia were all about it ! The table has been set, and the crowd was primed and ready for the main course!
If i were to continue that metaphor, this aged Wagyu was ready to be served! The viewing area was a tightly packed powder keg, awaiting it’s spark. There was an from the crowd, as the band took the stage, and Dj Jahi gave a quick history breakdown of Public Enemy before announcing “WE ARE PUBLIC ENEMY”. Flava Flav stormed the stage with his iconic catch phrase, before breaking into their 1988 smash hit “Don’t Believe the Hype”, and Trust me, the crowd DID believe the hype! The crowd erupted, fully engulfed in the moment before the legend, Chuck D himself appeared to complete the duo. With Dj Juice laying down the classic industrial soundscapes that have define their style, Flava Flav and Chuck D exchange thought provoking, powerful and politically charged messages that ring just as true today in the 1980’s. The crowd was not only listening, but engaging, and chanting right back! The back to Back hits were broken up by some brand new material, showing us that P.E. still had a lot to say! The sheer talent and passion that oozes out of these artist, lead to the pure masterclass of a performance, seeming as if P.E. had never taken a step away from the microphone, or the stage! The impact the words left on the crowd, was seen on the faces of every attendee, just as it has been etched into the DNA of hip-hop it’s self for decades!
As the crowd spilled out into the night, buzzing with excitement for what the next day would bring. Laughter echoed out while friends exchanged stories of their favourite moments from the day. Everywhere you looked festival merch was worn proudly, proof that not only is “September Forever”, but so too is the spirit and love for Rifflandia. When the final note of the weekend fade, the countdown for next year’s Riff- begins!
Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
PUBLIC ENEMY
FUNK HUNTERS
SHAKEY GRAVES
MACY GRAY
HOLLOW COVES
RIFFLANDIA 2025
All Photo Credit: Jordon Chatten
Festivals
KATSEYE, XG, Dabin.Kr and More Perform at Head In The Clouds Music Festival 2026
Fans Brave High Temps to Catch KATSEYE, XG and More at Head In The Clouds Music Festival
88 Rising’s Head in the Clouds returned to Pasadena’s Brookside at the Rose Bowl on August 8, 2026. The festival, a celebration of Asian music, brought global superstars XG, KATSEYE, rapper Dabin.Kr, Indonesian pop group no na, K-pop group LNGSHOT and more to the Los Angeles stage.
The festival, beginning in 2018, and spanning across Los Angeles, New York and Indonesia has made some changes over the years, this year’s bringing a stark contrast to years prior. Normally a two day Los Angeles festival, its usual large stages including catwalks with three dimensional stage design (usually featuring their mascot CLO), and large photo op installations were now condensed to one day, a rather barren main stage and a lonely bus as a photo op. As most people packed tightly toward the main stage, it left much of the festival grounds uncovered. The Music Den stage lay tucked away in a corner, where if you didn’t know it was there you could easily miss it.
As doors opened at 1PM, fans raced across the festival grounds to secure a spot at the barricade. Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT opened the festival, also promptly at 1PM, leaving many who were there to see the group either miss their ten-minute set entirely or arrive late to the stage. The group, consisting of Souma, Mizuki, Tsubasa, Reia, Ryota, Takeru, Yuga, and Neo rode full speed into hit hip-hop track “TOKYO DRIFT,” and their latest release “YANKEE SQUAT.”
Get on the angok! With another vehicular hit, Indonesian girl group no na hyped the crowd with dance-pop “honk!” off their upcoming full length album, island girl. LNGSHOT made their way through the crowd, exciting fans who had been waiting all day to see them – many sporting hand made signs and curated outfits dedicated to their favorite members. Though just rookies, the four member group, produced by Jay Park, has taken global audiences by storm with tracks like “Moonwalkin” and “Saucin’.”
With high anticipation, Dabin.Kr, previously known as DPR Live, took the stage. “Tonight, you’re meeting Dabin.Kr” he told the crowd. Just as the sun was beginning to set, Dabin opened up to the audience about the struggles he has faced the last several years and his journey of starting over, stating “a lot of us here right now, are still trying to figure ourselves out.”
“Who’s still sleeping on XG?” asks the global group before launching into their hit track “WOKE UP.” Seven member Japanese group XG turned HITC into their very own mini concert. Appearing atop a large scaffolding set and accompanied by a full band, the group performed songs like dance track “GALA,” and slower hip-hop number “PS118” before closing with a rock-infused version of “SHOOTING STAR.”
Who knew HITC was for kids? Many children filled the audience, their parents bringing them to risk heat stroke to catch a glimpse of their favorite girl group KATSEYE. With scorching temperatures and packed crowds, (the festival needed to provide free water to attendees, many stationed in large ice buckets just to keep it cool) along with people passing out left and right, this seemed like a less than ideal space for children. Many parents took off like Olympic sprinters, children in tow, to sardine themselves into the already tightly stuffed crowd as soon as XG left the stage. Many fans were visibly frustrated as parents tossed their children up on their shoulders, blocking the view of fans who had waited all day in the blazing sun to secure their spot earlier in the day.
KATSEYE, performing as four, opened with upbeat “Pinky Up!” before launching into 2024 debut release “Debut.” It’s hard to believe the group has only been around for two years, as they’ve amassed a worldwide fandom and have become a household name in a short time. Marking their second time as festival headliners were members Lara, Yoonchae, Megan and Daniela. Just several days prior, Sophia announced she would be on hiatus from the group to focus on mental health. The announcement follows Manon’s announced hiatus from the group back in February. Will she ever come back? We may honestly never know.
KATSEYE closed out the festival with viral sensation “GNARLY,” full dance break included.
A day full of music, art and culture concluded on an explosive high. With a diverse lineup, audiences were left adding new songs to their queues and left singing some of their favorites. Packed exits and lengthy chaotic parking lines left fans with plenty of time to relive the memories they made throughout the day.
Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
KATSEYE
XG
DABIN.KR
LNGSHOT
TIFFANY DAY
KIIKII
NO NA
WARREN HUE
BE:FIRST
FESTIVAL
All Photo Credit: Rebecca Rowe / @rowetookthese
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