Festivals
VANS Warped Tour Announces 2026 Full Line-Up!
Vans Warped Tour, one of the most iconic, successful, and longest-running music festivals in history is bringing its celebrated community-driven experience north of the border with a highly anticipated stop in Montréal, Canada. Set for August 21 + 22, the Montréal edition will take over the expansive grounds of Parc Jean-Drapeau, the city’s premiere outdoor festival destination located along the St. Lawrence River.
Just minutes from downtown and easily accessible by metro, Parc Jean-Drapeau offers sweeping skyline views and a vibrant summer atmosphere. Festivalgoers can explore nearby neighborhoods such as Old Montréal, the Plateau, and the Quartier des Spectacles, making the weekend an immersive cultural experience both on and off the festival grounds.
Keeping with tradition, the full line-up listed alphabetically, which keeps the focus on the collective experience rather than headliners, the stacked bill spans generations of alternative and punk music, from genre-defining favorites like Simple Plan and Bowling For Soup to pop-rock staples such as Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard, and Mayday Parade, alongside rising voices including Jutes and LØLØ. Additionally, the 2026 Vans Warped Tour in Montreal features a mix of international and regional talent, including Montreal-based deathcore band Despised Icon and punk outfit The Anti-Queens.
In partnership with Insomniac, the two-day festival will feature over 100 artists spanning rock, pop punk, alternative, emo, hip-hop, ska and beyond, alongside appearances from world-class skateboarders and elite action-sports athletes. This latest iteration builds on Vans Warped Tour’s legacy while embracing a broader, more global future for one of music and skate culture’s most enduring live platforms. With its scenic waterfront setting, rich musical heritage, and reputation as one of North America’s top festival cities, Montréal provides the perfect backdrop for Vans Warped Tour’s signature blend of nostalgia, discovery, and community—uniting fans across generations for an unforgettable summer weekend.
Furthering their mission of artist discovery and fan-first ideology, last month Vans Warped Tour launched the first look at the artists performing this year with multiple artists being announced daily over the past 30-ish days exclusively on Vans Warped Tour social platforms.
In addition to Montreal, Canada, Vans Warped Tour is expanding its footprint and cultural impact after last year’s three sold-out U.S dates, as the tour will deliver five two-day festivals returning to Washington, DC, Long Beach, CA, and Orlando, FL, including the launch of two all-new international editions in both Montreal, Canada and also Mexico City, Mexico, marking a powerful global expansion.
Founded by Kevin Lyman in 1995, Vans Warped Tour built a singular legacy as the definitive summer festival for rock and alternative music fans, shaping generations of artists and audiences alike. Founded in 1995, Vans Warped Tour was never just a concert series; it was a proving ground, cultural crossroads, and community-driven platform where established acts shared stages with emerging talent, often at pivotal moments in their careers.
Throughout the years, Vans Warped Tour helped introduce and elevate artists who would go on to define modern music, with past performers including Blink-182, No Doubt, Sublime, Beck, Katy Perry, NOFX, Limp Bizkit, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Eminem, Yellowcard, Bad Religion, and countless others.
What set Vans Warped Tour apart was its accessibility and ethos. Affordable tickets, all-day festivals, genre-fluid lineups, and an environment where fans could discover new artists, connect directly with performers, and experience music alongside skate culture, activism, and community engagement. That spirit of openness and discovery became central to Vans Warped Tour’s identity, cementing its place as one of the most influential live music platforms in modern music history. Vans Warped Tour remains committed to accessible pricing, with weekend passes that started at an all-inclusive price of $237.00 (processing fees included) and are currently available for purchase at https://www.vanswarpedtour.com/tickets.
Festivals
Phillips Backyard Music Festival – Day 1 Recap & Photos
The first day of Phillips Backyard Music Festival wasted no time getting into the music. Gates opened in the late afternoon, and fans steadily filled the grounds as the opening artists took the stage. With two stages running throughout the evening, there was always something happening, whether festivalgoers were catching a familiar act on the Main Stage or discovering someone new on the Music BC Stage.
Dacey opened the Main Stage and immediately set a positive tone for the weekend. There is always a challenge in being the first performer of a festival, but the crowd responded well as people filtered in with drinks in hand and found spots on the lawn. Over on the Music BC Stage, Bukola delivered an engaging set that showed exactly why she continues to build a strong following in British Columbia. Her soulful vocals stood out from the start and held the audience’s attention throughout her performance.
As the evening moved along, Nicky MacKenzie and Mikey Jose kept the energy moving before Cartel Madras took over the Main Stage. The Calgary duo brought one of the day’s most intense performances. Their stage presence demanded attention, and the audience responded with loud cheers throughout the set. They never let the pace slow down, making them one of the clear highlights of the afternoon.
Blush followed on the Music BC Stage with a polished indie rock performance before Duckwrth stepped onto the Main Stage as the sun began to set. His mix of hip-hop, funk, and rock translated perfectly to the outdoor setting. He spent much of the set moving across the stage, interacting with the crowd and feeding off their enthusiasm. By this point, the festival grounds were packed, and it was clear the audience was ready for the night’s headliner.
Chance the Rapper closed out opening day with a confident performance as one of hip-hop’s strongest live performers. His set balanced newer material with fan favourites, giving longtime listeners plenty of moments to sing along. He controlled the stage from beginning to end without relying on flashy production to keep the audience engaged. Instead, his personality and connection with the crowd carried the show.
The first day established exactly what Phillips Backyard does well. The schedule moved smoothly between established artists and emerging talent, giving every performer a chance to shine. Fans moved freely between both stages, sampled local food and Phillips Brewing beer, and settled into an atmosphere that felt relaxed without losing the excitement that comes with live music. It was a strong opening to the weekend and set high expectations for the two days that followed.
Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
CHANCE THE RAPPER
DUCKWORTH
BLUSH
CARTEL MADRAS
MIKEY JOSE
NICKY MACKENZIE
BUKOLA
DACEY
FESTIVAL
All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Dallas Smith
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at PNE kept the excitement rolling on July 11, as football and live music once again proved to be a winning combination in Vancouver. With two FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on the schedule, thousands of fans packed the festival throughout the day before sticking around for another evening of Canadian music.
Earlier in the afternoon, England secured its place in the semi-finals with a victory over Norway, setting the stage for an even bigger showdown later in the day. That match delivered plenty of drama, as Argentina defeated Switzerland to book a semi-final meeting with England. The final whistle sparked loud celebrations around the festival grounds, with Argentine supporters waving flags, chanting, and soaking in the moment before the evening concerts began.
As the football excitement settled, attention shifted to the Amphitheatre Stage, where Dallas Smith closed out the day’s musical lineup. One of Canada’s biggest country stars, Smith had no trouble keeping the energy high after an emotional afternoon of football. Fans packed tightly around the stage, singing along from the opening song and matching his enthusiasm throughout the set. Smith’s mix of country hits and rock-influenced sound made for a perfect festival performance.
The day also featured performances from DJ Sherry Freeze, The Matinee, The Heels, and Blue Moon Marquee, giving visitors plenty to enjoy between the two quarterfinal matches.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
DALLAS SMITH
ARGENTINA FANS
All Photo Credit: