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
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – Kx5 and SG Lewis
The FIFA Fan Festival™ shifted into concert mode on July 17 as Vancouver welcomed one of the festival’s Signature Concert nights. After weeks of blending live music with FIFA World Cup action, Friday’s schedule focused entirely on the evening lineup, giving fans a chance to enjoy a full night of electronic music at the amphitheatre.
The gates opened at 5 p.m., with Shades of Day kicking things odd. Vancouver artist Grayson Repp followed at 6:30 p.m. Repp did exactly what an opening act should do, warming up the growing crowd and setting the tone for the night. As more fans poured into the festival grounds, the atmosphere steadily built toward the evening’s headline performance.
SG Lewis started at 7:30 p.m., bringing his signature mix of house, disco, and electronic pop. His smooth production and dance-friendly set kept the energy climbing, with the audience fully embracing the chance to dance in the new amphitheatre. By the end of his performance, the venue had transformed into a massive outdoor dance floor.
The night’s main attraction arrived at 9 p.m. as Kx5 took over the stage. The collaboration between Deadmau5 and Kaskade has become one of the biggest names in electronic music, and their performance lived up to the anticipation. Massive visuals, pyrotechnics, synchronized lighting, and booming production turned the FIFA Fan Festival into a festival within a festival. Fans packed the amphitheatre from the floor to the lawn, singing along when vocals appeared and raising their hands as the bass echoed across the PNE.
Unlike many of the FIFA Fan Festival days that balanced football broadcasts with music throughout the afternoon, July 17 belonged entirely to the concert experience. From Grayson Repp‘s early set to SG Lewis‘ polished performance and Kx5‘s high-powered finale, the Signature Concert delivered one of the biggest musical highlights of the Vancouver Fan Festival.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Kx5
SG LEWIS
GRAYSON REPP
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
Phillips Backyard Music Festival – Day 3 Recap & Photos
The final day of Phillips Backyard Music Festival brought another full afternoon and evening of music, giving fans one last chance to enjoy one of British Columbia’s best summer festivals. After two successful days, the crowds returned in large numbers, and there was little sign that anyone was running out of energy.
Darrian Gerard opened the Main Stage, welcoming early arrivals with an upbeat performance that got the final day started on the right foot. Shortly afterward, Amulet began the Music BC Stage programming before Fake Shark took over the Main Stage. The Vancouver rock band got the audience moving quickly, as usual. Their fast-paced set injected fresh energy into the afternoon and produced one of the liveliest crowds of the day.
The Music BC Stage remained busy with performances from Infidelity, the highly anticipated Angine de Poitrine, Chopping Spree, and Runner. One of the strengths of Phillips Backyard has always been its commitment to showcasing artists from British Columbia alongside nationally recognized names, and Sunday’s schedule reflected that balance well. Fans who wandered between stages were rewarded with several impressive discoveries throughout the afternoon.
Wolf Parade returned to Victoria with a performance that reminded everyone why the band continues to hold such an important place in Canadian indie rock. Their songs translated well to the outdoor setting, and longtime fans sang along throughout the set. The band sounded tight, confident, and completely in control, making their performance one of the standout moments before the headliner.
Modest Mouse closed the festival with exactly the kind of performance many fans had been waiting all weekend to see. Their set mixed well-known favourites with deeper cuts, keeping longtime listeners happy while giving newer fans a chance to experience one of indie rock’s defining live acts. The band’s sound filled the festival grounds, and the audience stayed engaged until the final notes.
As the last songs ended, it was clear that Phillips Backyard had delivered another successful edition. The festival once again struck the right balance between established touring artists and homegrown talent, giving both equal opportunities to connect with the audience. Combined with excellent weather, smooth organization, quality food and drinks, and a relaxed setting that encouraged people to stay all day, the festival closed its 2026 edition on a high note.
Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery! You can find our recap and photos of Day 1 here and Day 2 here.
MODEST MOUSE
WOLF PARADE
RUNNER
CHOPPING SPREE
ANGINE DE POITRINE
INFIDELITY
FAKE SHARK
AMULET
DARRIAN GERARD
FESTIVAL
All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell