Festivals
Republic Live Announces New Pop-Punk And Alt Festival ‘All Your Friends Fest’ For Summer 2024
From the team who created Boots and Hearts Music Festival, Wayhome Music and Arts Festival, and Canada Rocks with The Rolling Stones, the internationally acclaimed and multi-award winning Canadian live entertainment company, Republic Live, announces a brand new pop-punk and alternative rock festival, ‘All Your Friends Fest,’ for summer 2024. The two-day event, complete with camping and RV options for attendees, will take place at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte, Ontario on August 23rd and 24th and feature over 20 acts.
Dedicated to bringing fans the best in live entertainment, Republic Live has tapped some of the biggest names in the genre to play the new festival including Friday (8/23) Main Stage headliners, JUNO Award-winning group Billy Talent, and highly decorated rock band, The All-American Rejects will headline the Second Stage. GRAMMY® Award-nominated rock band, Fall Out Boy, will headline the Saturday night (8/24), as well as revered alternative emo rock bands, Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional.
“Building upon our legacy of creating unforgettable moments, ‘All Your Friends’ Fest promises to captivate music fans by merging the nostalgic essence of the past with the electrifying energy of the present,” says Eva Dunford, Co-Founder of Republic Live. “This inaugural event aims to shake things up in the festival landscape in Canada and we are committed to pushing the boundaries and changing the game when it comes to how we bring fans and live music together. This festival is a celebration of the spirit and energy of a genre of music that has powerfully influenced generations.”
Also set to perform on the Friday are Canadian heavy hitters Silverstein, GOB, LØLØ, Lights, and The Honest Heart Collective, as well as American rap/rock band Gym Class Heroes, pop-punk band Mayday Parade, and alternative/indie group We The Kings. Saturday will feature a stacked lineup including Plain White T’s, grandson, Charlotte Sands, The Maine, Fefe Dobson and Stereos.
“With the introduction of a new sound to Burl’s Creek, we are ecstatic to continue to expand on how Republic Live curates unique and unforgettable experiences for music fans. Following in the footsteps of past artists like Shania Twain and Nickelback at Burl’s Creek, it’s exciting for us to continue amplifying Canadian music while celebrating such iconic bands that have influenced multiple generations,” shares Brooke Dunford, Director of Talent Buying & Business Development for Republic Live. “As we welcome ‘All Your Friends Fest’, we are thrilled to uphold our reputation for hosting dynamic music festivals where we continue to foster genuine artist-fan connections and celebrate the vibrant community that surrounds it.”
With additional acts to be confirmed, the full lineup by day is below.
Friday August 23 – Main Stage
Billy Talent (CAN)
Silverstein (CAN)
Mayday Parade
GOB (CAN)
LØLØ (CAN)
Friday August 23 – Second Stage
The All-American Rejects
Lights(CAN)
Gym Class Heroes
We The Kings
The Honest Heart Collective (CAN)
Saturday August 24 – Main Stage
Fall Out Boy
Jimmy Eat World
Plain White T’s
grandson (CAN)
Charlotte Sands
Saturday August 24 – Second Stage
Dashboard Confessional
The Maine
Fefe Dobson (CAN)
Stereos (CAN)
Starting at $119 plus taxes for general admission passes, $249 plus taxes for VIP passes, and a layaway option of $69 plus taxes, tickets will be available for purchase on Friday, March 29tth at 10 AM ET. Continuing with the tradition of providing ticket holders with the ultimate festival experience, Republic Live is extending the camping opportunity to ‘All Your Friends Fest‘ for the weekend, with tent and RV packages for purchase. For more information and to purchase tickets, patrons can go to www.allyourfriendsfestival.com.
Festivals
WATERBOMB Festival Is Coming to Toronto in 2027
Toronto is getting a taste of one of South Korea’s biggest summer music festivals. WATERBOMB, the popular event known for its mix of K-pop performances, hip-hop, EDM and massive water fights, has announced plans to make its Canadian debut in 2027.
Organizers revealed the news through a newly launched Toronto Instagram account, sharing the message: “TORONTO, IT’S TIME.” The announcement has already generated plenty of excitement among Canadian K-pop fans, with the account attracting thousands of followers before any performers or event details have been confirmed.
Interested fans are being encouraged to sign up for the festival’s newsletter to receive early updates and information about tickets. The Toronto website is already live, featuring photos and promotional footage from previous editions of the festival.
For anyone unfamiliar with WATERBOMB, this is far from a traditional music festival. First launched in Seoul in 2015, the event combines live performances with large-scale water battles, giving audiences water guns to use while powerful cannons spray the crowd. Its programming spans K-pop, hip-hop and electronic dance music, making the festival as much about the atmosphere and audience participation as the performers on stage.
WATERBOMB has grown into an international event, with previous editions taking place in cities including Busan, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. Its Korean lineups have featured major names such as TWICE’s Nayeon & Jihyo, aespa’s Karina, Jeon Somi, J.Y. Park and 2NE1. None of these artists have been announced for Toronto, but fans are already making their wish lists.
Names appearing in the Toronto announcement’s comments include ATEEZ, MONSTA X and Wonho. Whether organizers will let fans vote on their preferred performers remains to be seen. The Seoul edition has introduced an artist wishlist that allows attendees to vote for acts they would like to see, and its 2027 edition is scheduled for July 24 and 25.
There are a few details prospective attendees should know before making summer plans. WATERBOMB has confirmed Toronto as a 2027 destination, but the exact dates, venue, lineup and ticket prices have yet to be revealed. The festival’s Toronto website indicates that the event will be 19+, with government-issued photo identification required for entry.
The organizers are advising attendees to dress comfortably and prepare to get soaked. Personal water guns will be permitted if they meet festival safety guidelines, and planned amenities include changing areas, lockers, food vendors and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The event is expected to proceed rain or shine, though severe weather could affect programming.
There is some reason for fans to approach the announcement with cautious optimism. WATERBOMB had previously outlined plans to expand into North America with events in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Those dates were postponed due to operational difficulties. Las Vegas, originally scheduled for September 2026, has since been moved to June 2027, while a new date for Los Angeles has not been announced.
Toronto is now part of the festival’s North American plans, though the success of the expansion will depend on organizers delivering the promised events.
For now, Canadian fans will have to wait for more information. If the Toronto edition brings the same combination of major K-pop acts, summer weather and water-filled chaos that made the festival popular in South Korea, it could be a very different kind of festival experience for the city.
WATERBOMB Toronto 2027: What We Know
- When: 2027, exact dates to be announced
- Where: Toronto, venue to be announced
- Age requirement: 19+
- Music: K-pop, hip-hop and EDM
- Lineup: Not yet announced
- Tickets: Prices and sale dates to be announced
- More information: Head to WATERBOMB Toronto website or sign up for the official newsletter.
Festivals
Coachella 2027 Announces Lineup With Dua Lipa, Tame Impala and SZA Headlining
Coachella has revealed its 2027 lineup, with Dua Lipa, Tame Impala and SZA set to headline the festival across two weekends next April. The announcement brings together a mix of pop heavyweights, electronic music favourites, indie acts and returning festival regulars for the annual event at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
Each headliner will close out a different night. Dua Lipa will take the main stage Friday, April 9, marking her first full performance at Coachella. Her only previous appearance at the festival was as a guest during Martin Garrix’s set in 2017, before the release of her debut album.
Saturday belongs to Tame Impala, who will return for their second Coachella headlining appearance after topping the bill in 2019. The Australian project, led by Kevin Parker, previously performed at the festival in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
SZA will close out Sunday night, rounding out a headline trio that brings three very different sounds to the top of the poster.
The lineup has plenty of other big names competing for attention. Madonna is among the festival’s most prominent bookings, appearing in the dance tent rather than as a headliner. Phoebe Bridgers, Weezer, Robyn, Zara Larsson, Steve Lacy, Peggy Gou, Kehlani, Tiësto, Kygo, Don Toliver, Dom Dolla, Four Tet and The Neighbourhood are among the other notable acts.
There are plenty of additional names worth checking out, including Måneskin, Jisoo, Caroline Polachek, Remi Wolf, Tove Lo, MUNA, Underworld, Chase & Status, Victoria Monét, Leon Bridges, Magdalena Bay, Freddie Gibbs, The Avalanches, Social Distortion, American Football and The Damned. Pinegrove will make an appearance after spending much of the past few years on hiatus.
One of the more unexpected bookings comes from Daddy Yankee, who has been given a special “In the Desert” billing. The festival will have another attraction away from the main stages, too. Following last year’s Radiohead installation, the bunker will feature a Justice exhibit titled Blinded By The Lights.
Coachella 2027 will run April 9-11 and April 16-18, with the same lineup performing across both weekends. The festival will once again partner with YouTube for its livestream, marking the 15th year of the partnership. Viewers will be able to watch selected performances from both weekends online.
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 13, at 12 p.m. PT. General admission passes for both weekends are listed at Tier 2 pricing, starting at $779, with a three-day shuttle pass included. VIP passes start at $1,399 for Weekend 1 and $1,349 for Weekend 2.
For tickets, camping options, hotel packages and additional festival information, visit the official Coachella website.