Festivals
The Artists We’re Most Excited About at Lollapalooza Chicago 2025
Lollapalooza Chicago is throwing another four-day rager in Grant Park, and once again, the lineup is massive. Between the usual pop giants, gritty rock, and dance-floor chaos, there’s a lot to sort through. But we’ve been keeping tabs. Whether you’re pulling up for the first time or you’re a seasoned wristband veteran, here are the artists we can’t stop thinking about — and why you should care too.
Olivia Rodrigo
She’s still in her early twenties, but Olivia Rodrigo already has a generation in her grip. Guts proved she wasn’t a one-album wonder, leaning deeper into snarling guitar riffs and gut-punch lyrics. She’s toured the world, played the biggest stages, and hasn’t slowed down. Word is, new music is coming before summer’s out, and you can bet she’ll test a few of those tracks on the Lolla crowd.
Olivia’s shows are part confessional, part riot. Fans scream every word like it’s gospel. She’s emotional, unpredictable, and always in control. If you’re anywhere near her set and you hear the first notes of “vampire,” get ready to be swallowed by the sound of 100,000 hearts breaking at once.
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler live is a whole different beast. He doesn’t just run through a setlist, he creates his own world. Whether he’s performing in a pastel suit or climbing up set pieces mid-song, there’s always something to watch. His last record, Chromakopia, added even more layers to his catalog. It’s raw, full of flexes, and more reflective than ever.
He’s not dropping new music this year that we know of, but it honestly doesn’t matter. His shows are tight, his banter’s sharp, and his energy’s unmatched. You don’t want to miss him.
Twice
If you’ve never seen a K-pop group live, Twice is a great first. They’ve been in the game for nearly a decade and still move like they’re chasing their debut. Every routine is flawless, every outfit change on cue, and the vocals are live, polished, and powerful. They’ve become global superstars without losing their charm.
Their latest album Dive feels like a love letter to fans, and their newer material has taken a more mature turn. Expect dance anthems, glowing fan chants, and a synchronized wall of sound that’ll give you goosebumps.
Cage The Elephant
It’s been six long years since Social Cues, and they finally dropped Neon Pill last year. It’s weird, groovy, and as unhinged as you’d expect. Frontman Matt Shultz is back after a rough patch, and you can feel that rawness in their latest work.
Their live sets are electric. Shirtless chaos, guitars getting chucked, and the whole band running on some beautiful mix of anxiety and adrenaline. This is the kind of show you stumble into and walk out a fan. Don’t sleep on them.
Doechii
2025 is Doecchi’s year. There’s no one quite like her. She flips between rap, R&B, and electronic sounds without breaking a sweat. She’ll hit you with rapid-fire bars one minute, then drop into a melodic hook the next. Her performances are part performance art, part dance battle, and all attitude.
She released her album Alligator Bites Never Heal last summer, and she’s only getting louder. If you want to catch an artist right before she blows up even bigger, this is your window.
The Marías
Chill, dreamy, and a little seductive, The Marías bring a mood. Their 2024 release, Submarine, took their psych-pop roots and gave them a pulse. They’ve added more movement to their sound without losing the hazy magic that made them stand out in the first place.
If you’ve seen them opening for Billie Eilish on her lastest tour, you know their set will be a palette cleanser. Grab a drink, sway a little, and let frontwoman María Zardoya’s voice wash over you. Pure sunset-core.
Remi Wolf
Remi’s not interested in staying in one lane. Her latest tracks pull from funk, alt-pop, and a little punk chaos. It’s messy in a good way. Her lyrics are weird and wonderful, and her delivery feels like she’s fighting off a giggle half the time.
Live, she’s a total firecracker. No backing track safety net, just full-force vocals and a whole lot of cardio. Her shows are colorful, sweaty, and deeply fun. You won’t walk away bored.
Ravyn Lenae
Chicago’s own Ravyn Lenae is coming home, and her set is going to be special. Her debut album Hypnos was a stunner with slick production, buttery vocals, and a vibe that feels like neon lights reflecting off wet pavement. Since the, she’s dropped her second album Birds’ Eye.
Her performance style is smooth, but never sleepy. It’s R&B that knows how to move. If you want to slow it down without tuning out, find your way to her stage.
Magdalena Bay
This duo feels like the future of synth-pop. Their visuals are glitchy, internet-core weird, and completely hypnotic. Their album Mercurial World still holds up, and the follow-up Imaginal Disk is even stranger. Perfect.
They’re a full-package kind of act. The music slaps, the projections are trippy, and there’s this wink to everything they do. It’s art school meets dance party. If you like your pop smart and a little spooky, don’t skip them.
Role Model
Tucker Pillsbury, aka Role Model, makes sad-boy pop that cuts deeper than you’d think. His new stuff leans darker, with more texture and less polish. There’s growth here, both lyrically and musically, but he’s kept that sense of intimacy that made fans fall for him in the first place.
Live, he brings just the right amount of mess. Emotional but not melodramatic. The kind of performance that sticks with you after you leave the crowd.
There’s no way to catch everything, but if you hit even half of these sets, you’re in for a good time. The headliners will bring the flash, sure, but the real moments will be found in the in-between. Keep your ears open and your schedule loose. Lollapalooza 2025’s full of surprises.
Visit Lollapalooza’s website for all the details!
Festivals
Osheaga 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule
The annual ritual every Osheaga fan both loves and dreads has arrived. The festival has officially unveiled its daily schedule for the 2026 edition, giving attendees their first look at who will be playing when across Parc Jean-Drapeau from July 31 to August 2.
As always, the release of set times brings excitement, anticipation, and plenty of scheduling headaches. With major headliners, breakout stars, indie favourites, and hometown talent spread across six stages, fans will once again be forced to make some difficult decisions throughout the weekend.
Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest moments and potential conflicts from each day.
Friday, July 31
Friday eases festival-goers into the weekend before building toward a stacked evening lineup led by Twenty One Pilots, The XX, and The Neighbourhood on the Bell River Stage.
The day begins with performances from Super Plage, Wunderhorse, Wet Leg, and Moses Belanger before momentum picks up in the afternoon. One of the first notable clashes arrives when Kehlani takes the Mountain Stage while Amber Mark performs on the Forest Stage and Billie Marten appears on the Valley Stage.
The evening presents some particularly difficult choices. Fans of alternative rock will have to decide between The XX and rising Japanese sensation YOASOBI, whose set overlaps with portions of the night.
Another major conflict comes later when Brutalismus 3000 and JID perform simultaneously. Those looking for a high-energy electronic experience may head toward the Coca-Cola Stage, while hip-hop fans will likely be making a run toward the Valley Stage.
The festival’s opening night closes with Twenty One Pilots on the main stage, while Geese and Amelie Lens provide compelling alternatives elsewhere across the site.
Friday Highlights
- Twenty One Pilots
- The XX
- The Neighbourhood
- Kehlani
- YOASOBI
- JID
- Amelie Lens
- Wet Leg
- Wunderhorse
- Geese
Saturday, August 1
Saturday may feature the weekend’s most relentless run of performances from top to bottom.
The day starts with sets from Baby Nova, Wolf Parade, Stella Lefty, Laura Scavo, and Fanclubwallet before quickly transitioning into a packed afternoon. Fans of indie and alternative music will have several choices throughout the day, including Villager, Kingfishr, and AJ Tracey.
One of the day’s biggest talking points will be the overlap between Little Simz, followed by Franz Ferdinand’s set. Both artists are expected to draw large crowds and appeal to different corners of the Osheaga audience.
As night falls, things only get tougher. Punk fans will likely gravitate toward Viagra Boys and Turnstile, while electronic fans may be tempted by Odd Mob and Kettama. Meanwhile, indie pop fans will be trying to squeeze in as much of Sombr as possible before heading to the main stage.
The evening culminates with Canadian pop superstar Tate McRae closing the Bell River Stage, while electronic powerhouse Empire of the Sun headlines the Forest Stage.
Saturday Highlights
- Tate McRae
- Empire of the Sun
- Turnstile
- Franz Ferdinand
- Little Simz
- Viagra Boys
- Wolf Parade
- AJ Tracey
- Sombr
- Kettama
Sunday, August 2
The festival’s final day delivers arguably the strongest collection of pop talent across the entire weekend.
Things begin with Valley, Amble, Between Friends, and Tia Wood before the afternoon ramps up with performances from Mother Mother, Paris Paloma, Billie du Page, and Of Monsters and Men.
One of the biggest scheduling dilemmas of the weekend arrives during the evening stretch. Fans hoping to catch Zara Larsson, SG Lewis, and Gunna will need to carefully plan their route through the grounds, as several of the performances overlap.
The night’s final run is packed with major draws. Lorde headlines the Bell River Stage while Major Lazer closes the Forest Stage. At the same time, electronic fans can head to Space 92’s special Popof-presented Turbo Recordings set, while alternative music fans may find themselves torn between Not For Radio, Horsegiirl, and Subtronics.
Sunday offers a fitting finale to what looks like one of Osheaga’s most diverse lineups in recent memory.
Sunday Highlights
- Lorde
- Major Lazer
- Zara Larsson
- Gunna
- SG Lewis
- Mother Mother
- Of Monsters and Men
- Paris Paloma
- Valley
- Horsegiirl
Start Planning Now
With the daily schedule now available, fans can finally begin mapping out their weekends and preparing for the inevitable conflicts that come with a lineup this deep.
Whether you’re heading to Parc Jean-Drapeau for the headliners, discovering your next favourite artist, or trying to sprint between stages to catch a little bit of everything, Osheaga 2026 is shaping up to deliver another unforgettable weekend in Montreal.
Tickets and additional festival information are available through the official Osheaga website.
Festivals
Riot Fest 2026 Brings Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, and Twenty One Pilots to Chicago
Chicago’s beloved punk and alternative festival, Riot Fest, is back with another stacked lineup for 2026. The three-day event returns to Douglass Park from September 18-20, bringing together more than 100 artists across punk, rock, indie, metal, and alternative music.
Leading this year’s lineup are Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, Twenty One Pilots, and Pierce the Veil. The festival continues its tradition of mixing legendary names with newer acts and cult favorites.
Other major artists on the bill include Patti Smith and her band, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Santigold, Pixies, Rise Against, Bad Religion, Taking Back Sunday, Social Distortion, The All-American Rejects, and Bright Eyes.
Fans of heavier and more chaotic sets will have plenty to look forward to with appearances from GWAR, Chat Pile, Melt-Banana, and Insane Clown Posse. Riot Fest is also bringing together punk history with performances from Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter and Public Image Ltd.
The festival’s deep lineup stretches far beyond the headliners, with artists such as Pennywise, Descendents, Iggy Pop, Mom Jeans, The Format, Twin Peaks, Algernon Cadwallader, This Is Lorelei, and Jejune set to perform throughout the weekend.
Last year’s edition marked Riot Fest’s 20th anniversary, featuring returning favorites such as Green Day, Blink-182, and Weezer. This year’s lineup keeps that same mix of nostalgia, chaos, and genre-spanning energy that has made Riot Fest one of North America’s most recognizable alternative festivals.
Three-day passes are on sale now, including general admission, VIP, and deluxe ticket packages. Payment plan options are available for fans looking to spread out the cost of the weekend.
More information at riotfest.org.