Festivals
The Artists We’re Most Excited to See at Osheaga Music Festival 2025
Osheaga always throws one of the best parties of the summer, and 2025’s lineup is stacked from top to bottom. It’s got legends, rising stars, genre-benders, and artists in the middle of major moments. Whether you’re heading to Parc Jean-Drapeau for the headliners or just to discover your next favourite artist, there’s something for everyone this year. Here’s who we’re keeping an eye on and why you’ll want to catch their sets.
The Killers
Hard to think of a better way to kick things off than with The Killers. They’ve been festival royalty for nearly two decades, but they’re not just coasting on Hot Fuss nostalgia.
Their live shows are a full-body experience. Brandon Flowers still struts across the stage like he owns the world, and honestly, he kind of does when he’s performing “Mr. Brightside.” Expect a mix of classics, new material, and a crowd singing along at the top of their lungs. Perfect way to set the tone for the weekend.
Doechii
Following her Best Rap Album win at the GRAMMY this year, Doechii is a star in motion. Since breaking out with “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake,” she’s kept her momentum with bold, genre-defying tracks and a style that refuses to be boxed in. Her latest album Alligator Bites Never Heal proved she’s not afraid to experiment, and her live shows are packed with charisma and controlled chaos.
With her energy, sharp flows, and a whole lot of unpredictability, her Osheaga set will be a must-see. She’s fun, fierce, and on the cusp of something big. Catch her now before she levels up again.
Glass Animals
After Dreamland and the surprise global success of “Heat Waves,” Glass Animals could’ve coasted. Instead, they’ve released I Love You So F***ing Much, leaning darker and weirder in the best way.
They’ve always delivered slick visuals and crowd-friendly grooves. This time, they’re bringing a more mature vibe, but still keep it danceable. Expect sweaty singalongs and a lot of jumping. A great act to catch as the sun sets on day one.
Dominic Fike
Dominic Fike is having a weird, wonderful career. He’s part indie rocker, part pop star, and part TV crush. His second album, Sunburn, came out swinging with confessional lyrics and beachy guitar lines. He had to cancel his Osheago performance last year due to health reasons, so we’re stoked to see him back on the lineup this summer.
He’s unpredictable on stage, in a good way. Some songs hit like backyard jams, others like full-blown arena anthems. If you like your sets a little messy but full of heart, don’t miss him.
Tyler, The Creator
A festival pro at this point, Tyler, The Creator is bringing his one-of-a-kind creative vision back to the festival. His set will likely focus on his latest release Chromakopia with a mix of his previous albums like Call Me If You Get Lost or Igor.
He’s one of the most inventive artists of his generation, mixing rap, jazz, soul, and surreal visuals. Even if you’ve seen him before, he never repeats himself. This is the one to plan your Saturday night around.
Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams has gone from bedroom-pop buzz to stadium opener for Taylor Swift in just a few years. Fresh off her own headlining tour, Gracie Abrams has built a massive following with her deeply personal songwriting. Her soft, melancholic indie-pop sound (think “Where Do We Go Now?” and “I Know It Won’t Work”) is perfect for a sunset Osheaga moment.
She’s known for emotionally raw performances, and her voice is even more affecting live. Showcasing her new album The Secret of Us, this could be a huge breakout set for her. If you love Phoebe Bridgers or Lana Del Rey, don’t sleep on this one.
TV on the Radio
One of the most respected indie bands of the 2000s, TV on the Radio doesn’t play out often anymore, which makes this set a big deal. Their last album dropped nearly a decade ago, and they’ve been quiet ever since. But they’ve recently reunited for a handful of dates and Osheaga scored one.
If you’ve never seen them, now’s your chance. Their sound blends art rock, soul, and fuzzed-out electronics, and their live shows are always passionate and unpredictable. A rare gem on the lineup.
Tommy Richman
Tommy Richman’s breakout single “Million Dollar Baby” exploded this spring, and now he’s on every tastemaker’s radar. With his slick falsetto and retro-infused production, he lands somewhere between Prince, Steve Lacy, and something totally his own.
He’s got the swagger and the sound to own a late afternoon slot. Expect a cool crowd and a lot of people trying to Shazam every song. If you’re into rising stars before they hit big, circle this one.
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo is closing out the festival, and it’s the perfect ender. GUTS proved she’s more than a teen idol, she’s a rock star. Her tour has been selling out arenas and earning serious praise for blending punky angst with pop smarts.
Her set will be cathartic, theatrical, and loud. She’s got the stage presence, the vocals, and the catalog to bring Osheaga to a full-on scream-along climax. It’s going to be a moment.
Cage The Elephant
Cage The Elephant are back after a long break and a health scare for frontman Matt Shultz. Their new album Neon Pill came out last summer, and it’s raw, catchy, and a little unhinged.
They’re one of those bands that give 110% on stage. Shultz flings himself around like a man possessed. It’s sweaty, wild, and always memorable. Don’t be surprised if this ends up being the set people talk about all weekend.
The Beaches
Toronto’s own The Beaches have been on a killer run. Their latest record Blame My Ex was full of punchy hooks and big feelings, they’ve been packing venues across Canada, and just won a JUNO Award for Group of the Year!
They’re funny, relatable, and play like a band that’s been touring for year, which they have. If you want crunchy guitars, catchy choruses, and real “let’s scream this together” energy, this is your stop.
There are a ton of other acts worth checking out, but these are the ones we’re building our schedule around. Bring sunscreen, drink water, and catch as many sets as you can. This year’s lineup is stacked. Don’t sleep on the early acts either!
For more info, head to Osheaga’s website.
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.