Festivals
Summer Smash Festival 2025 Unveils Lineup Feat. Future, Don Toliver & Yeat, And Young Thug’s Return
Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash Festival returns for its seventh year, bringing some of hip-hop’s most anticipated performances to SeatGeek Stadium in the Chicago area from June 20-22, 2025. This year’s headliners include Future, the world debut of Don Toliver & Yeat as a duo, and Young Thug’s first live performance since his release from jail.
“I feel lucky to be able to throw the party of the year with my best friends,” said Cole Bennett, Summer Smash Festival co-founder and Lyrical Lemonade founder. “May this be the best one yet. Lucky No. 7.”
The festival will kick off on Friday, June 20, with Don Toliver & Yeat’s exclusive joint set, along with Trippie Redd, Ski Mask the Slump God, NLE Choppa, Nettspend, DC the Don, Molly Santana, Karrahbooo, and more.
Saturday, June 21, will feature Future, supported by Sexyy Red, Lil Tecca, Destroy Lonely, SahBabii, Soulja Boy, Osamason, BabyTron, Plaqueboymax, Famous Dex, and 1900Rugrat.
The festival will close on Sunday, June 22, with Young Thug’s highly anticipated return, alongside Lil Yachty, Quavo, Nav, G Herbo, Saba, Insane Clown Posse, Bktherula, Skaiwater, TiaCorine, and a special set from Chance the Rapper.
Thug’s performance follows last year’s headline-making moment when Chief Keef made his first Chicago appearance in 12 years. After spending much of 2024 in a state RICO trial, Thug pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years probation on October 31, 2024. Though he has appeared on tracks with Lil Baby (“Dum, Dumb & Dumber”) and Playboi Carti (“We Need All Da Vibes”), this will be his first major live performance in years.
Head to the festival’s website for more information.
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts Announce 2026 Lineup
Vancouver’s summer concert calendar is locking into place. The annual Summer Night Concerts are set to return to the Pacific National Exhibition from August 22 through September 7, bringing live music back to one of the city’s biggest seasonal events.
This year carries a bit more weight than usual. The series will debut at the brand-new Freedom Mobile Arch, a 10,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre built for large-scale performances. The venue promises better sightlines, improved sound, and a more immersive setup for fans. It’s a major shift for the fair, which spent much of last year dealing with construction that limited its footprint and contributed to a drop in attendance.
Now, with the full site back in action, organizers are aiming for a reset. The 2026 lineup leans into that idea, mixing legacy acts with newer names across genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic.
Headliners include Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, The Beaches, Nelly, and Zedd, alongside artists like Mt. Joy, Train, and Barenaked Ladies. Special performances include Cynthia Erivo backed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearances from Punjabi Virsa, Weird Al Yankovic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pierce the Veil, Sarah McLachlan, and Boy George & Culture Club.
The full schedule runs nightly:
- Aug. 22: Blue Rodeo
- Aug. 23: The Guess Who
- Aug. 25: The Beaches
- Aug. 26: Nelly
- Aug. 27: Zedd
- Aug. 28: Mt. Joy
- Aug. 29: Cynthia Erivo with VSO
- Aug. 30: Punjabi Virsa
- Sept. 1: Train
- Sept. 2: Barenaked Ladies
- Sept. 3: Weird Al Yankovic
- Sept. 4: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Sept. 5: Pierce the Veil
- Sept. 6: Sarah McLachlan
- Sept. 7: Boy George & Culture Club
Tickets start at $49 plus fees and include admission to the PNE Fair. Presale began April 19, with general on-sale launching April 20 through TicketLeader.
New venue, full fairgrounds, and a lineup that leans both nostalgic and current. After a quieter year, the PNE looks ready to feel busy again.
Festivals
Phillips Backyard Festival Returns With Chance the Rapper, Father John Misty, and Modest Mouse
Victoria’s summer concert calendar just got a major boost. The Phillips Backyard Music Festival is back, and this year it’s packing everything into one tight, three-day run from July 10–12 at Phillips Brewing & Malting Co..
After spreading across multiple weekends in past years, the 2026 edition trims things down to a single stretch, but the lineup is anything but smaller. Each night is led by a Grammy-winning or nominated act, with Chance the Rapper opening Friday, Father John Misty taking Saturday, and Modest Mouse closing things out on Sunday.
Chance’s booking is a big one. The Chicago artist has never played Victoria before, so expect a rush when tickets drop. Meanwhile, both Father John Misty and Modest Mouse are making long-awaited returns, with neither having played the city in over a decade.
The supporting lineup fills out nicely across the weekend. Friday leans upbeat with Duckwrth, Sophia Stel, Nicky MacKenzie, and DACEY. Saturday brings a mix of local and global names, including Sudan Archives and Victoria favourites Jon and Roy. Sunday wraps with indie staples like Wolf Parade, alongside Angine de Poitrine, Fake Shark, and Darrian Gerard.
Organizers are promising a smoother experience this time around. The space is getting an upgrade, the raised stage is staying, and RFID wristbands are out. There’s even more still to come, with additional artists set to be announced for the returning Music BC stage.
Tickets go on sale March 25 at 10 a.m., with single-day passes at $125 and full weekend access priced at $325. If past years are any indication, waiting is a bad idea.
More information on the festival’s website.
