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The Artists We’re Most Excited About at Lollapalooza Chicago 2025

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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

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, 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

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

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
Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer

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

All Things Go Toronto 2026 – Day One Recap & Photos

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All things Go Toronto Day 1

Kesha, The Beaches, Rachel Chinouriri and an all-women lineup make a statement at RBC Amphitheatre

The second edition of All Things Go Toronto arrived with a bit of uncertainty hanging over it. Weather forecasts throughout the week had threatened heavy thunderstorms for Saturday, and more than a few festivalgoers crossed the bridge to RBC Amphitheatre wondering whether the day would be spent dodging rain clouds. But instead, Toronto got lucky.

Strong winds rolled through the waterfront venue, but the storms never fully materialized. Under blue skies and warm temperatures, thousands of fans spread out across the lawn and seats, turning what could have been a washout into one of the most enjoyable festival days of the summer so far.

Between sets, fans wandered through activations from RBC, Monster and other sponsors, while food trucks lined the concourse. One standout quickly emerged for me: Alijandro’s Kitchen, which served some of the best food of the weekend.

What immediately stood out about Saturday’s lineup was something increasingly rare in the festival world: every artist performing was a woman. At a time when many major festivals still struggle with representation, All Things Go continues to build its identity around showcasing women and queer artists without making it feel like a gimmick.

Bella Kay at All Things Go Toronto 2026

Opening the festival was Bella Kay, who looked remarkably comfortable despite revealing that this was her first festival performance. If she was nervous, it never showed. Her viral track “iloveitiloveitiloveit” sparked one of the first big singalongs of the day, while a cover of Rihanna’s “Stay” connected immediately with the growing audience. By the end of her set, Bella Kay was all smiles and seemed genuinely moved as she thanked fans for making her festival debut such a memorable experience.

Sofia Camara at All Things Go Toronto 2026

Toronto’s own Sofia Camara followed and immediately reminded everyone why she’s becoming one of Canada’s most promising young pop artists. Early in her set, she introduced “Starlight” by joking that audiences normally use their phone flashlights during the song, but since it was still the middle of the afternoon, fans’ smiles would have to serve as the lights instead.

Camara repeatedly emphasized how much a hometown show meant to her, telling the crowd that Toronto always delivers the best audiences. One of the most memorable moments came when she sat down on the small advanced stage and introduced an unreleased song called “best friend.” She admitted she had been nervous about sharing new music and jokingly warned that she might cry while performing it. She didn’t, but the vulnerability resonated with the crowd. A cover of Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” earned a huge reaction, and by the time she closed with “Girls Like You,” the audience was jumping along.

Holly Humberstone at All Things Go Toronto 2026

Holly Humberstone shifted the mood slightly with a set built around atmosphere and emotion. Fresh off releasing her second album and launching a new tour, the British singer-songwriter delivered one of the day’s quieter performances, yet it never felt low-energy. Fans sang every word from the pit to the lawn, creating one of those festival moments where thousands of people seem locked into the same wavelength. Humberstone repeatedly expressed gratitude for being included on a lineup she clearly admired.

Rachel Chinouriri at All Things Go Toronto 2026

Rachel Chinouriri‘s set was one I had personally anticipated all day. Having somehow missed opportunities to catch her live before, I was eager to finally see what all the hype was about. She exceeded every expectation. From the opening song onward, Chinouriri brought infectious energy while constantly engaging with the crowd beyond just the barricade. She told fans she had performed at several All Things Go festivals in the United States and was thrilled to finally bring that experience to Toronto. Her message was simple but powerful: live fully, tell people you love them, and don’t take tomorrow for granted. It was the kind of moment that felt sincere rather than scripted.

The Beaches at All Things Go Toronto 2026

Then came hometown heroes The Beaches. The Toronto quartet received one of the loudest welcomes of the entire weekend. Before long, they were celebrating the fact that an all-women festival had become reality in their hometown, giving credit to the women behind the scenes who helped make it happen.

The band entered to audio from the now-viral Off Campus scene before launching into a set packed with fan favourites. Then came one of the weekend’s most perfectly timed moments. As The Beaches performed, a rainbow appeared above RBC Amphitheatre. Considering it was Pride Month and one of the festival’s defining themes was celebrating queer artists and fans, the visual almost felt too perfect to be real.

Their “Lesbian of the Year” competition became one of the day’s highlights. Fans had been encouraged throughout posters at the venue to register for a chance to participate, and three contestants ultimately joined the band on stage. After a series of questions and plenty of audience participation, one winner was crowned and awarded a trophy.

The Beaches even dusted off material from their Done With Dolls days, delighting longtime fans before closing with the always explosive “Blame Brett.” What I loved most was how few phones were in the air. Nearly everyone seemed focused on dancing, singing and actually experiencing the show.

Kesha at All Things Go Toronto 2026 – Photo Credit: All Things Go

Kesha then arrived to close the night with a performance that was both celebratory and deeply personal. Complete with dancers, elaborate choreography, lasers and multiple visual interludes, her 90-minute set centered on one recurring theme: freedom. Throughout the evening, Kesha reflected on reclaiming ownership of her music and career, explaining that she could finally perform songs she hadn’t played in over a decade after re-producing them herself. The announcement sparked one of the loudest cheers of the night.

The set balanced nostalgia with growth. New songs such as “Origami” sat comfortably alongside classics, while stories about writing music with her mother and collaborations from earlier in her career gave added context to songs many fans had known for years. Several VCR segments reinforced the evening’s message of resilience and self-determination. One particularly memorable line emphasized choosing vulnerability over simply existing without feeling.

As the show reached its conclusion, Kesha reflected on how both good times and difficult experiences shape a life worth living. The final message was clear: these were the Freedom years.

For the encore, she created one final unforgettable moment by inviting dancer UnsightedPoet onstage after seeing his social media campaign asking for the chance to perform with her.

It was the perfect ending to a day that felt larger than just a collection of great performances. All Things Go has built its reputation around creating a space where artists and fans can feel seen, and Saturday embodied that mission from start to finish. Between the music, the community and the atmosphere, it was definitely a celebration of exactly who it was built for.

Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

For more information about All Things Go Toronto, DC and NYC, head to allthingsgofestival.com.

KESHA

Photo Credit: All Things Go
Photo Credit: All Things Go
Photo Credit: All Things Go

THE BEACHES

RACHEL CHINOURIRI

HOLLY HUMBERSTONE

SOFIA CAMARA

BELLA KAY

ALL THINGS GO

Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer, unless otherwise noted.

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Festivals

Osheaga 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule

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osheaga 2025

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 PilotsThe 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 VillagerKingfishr, 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 MotherParis PalomaBillie 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 LarssonSG 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 RadioHorsegiirl, 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.

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