We are just about a week away from heading to Montreal for the OSHEAGA Music and Arts Festival. Taking place Friday, July 31, through Sunday, August 2, at Parc Jean-Drapeau, the three-day festival promises a weekend filled with music, art, and unforgettable moments.
This will be my first time attending OSHEAGA, and I am excited to experience the event often described as Canada’s answer to Coachella. Located on Île Sainte-Hélène in Parc Jean-Drapeau, the festival offers incredible views of the Montreal skyline and the St. Lawrence River, providing a beautiful backdrop for one of Canada’s biggest music festivals.
Twenty One Pilots, Tate McRae, and Lorde will headline this year’s festival, with Zara Larsson, Wet Leg, Turnstile, Sombr, and other fan favorites performing throughout the weekend. Featuring 89 artists across six stages, OSHEAGA brings together an eclectic mix of established acts and emerging talent.
More than 100,000 attendees are expected over the course of the weekend as Parc Jean-Drapeau transforms into a sprawling celebration of live music and art.
One of the qualities that makes OSHEAGA special is its commitment to spotlighting Canadian talent. This year’s lineup features 26 Canadian artists, including 14 from Québec, showcasing some of the country’s most exciting rising performers.
What to Expect
With six stages spread across the festival grounds, OSHEAGA offers plenty of performances to discover throughout the weekend. Deciding which sets to catch will not be easy.
From pop and indie rock to R&B, hip-hop, and electronic music, the schedule is packed with must-see performances. To help you plan your festival itinerary, I have selected some of the weekend’s standout sets and artists to watch.
Set Highlights
Friday, July 31
Avenoir | 2:30 p.m. | belairdirect Valley Stage
Canadian R&B artist Avenoir is one of my early picks to watch. Fans of Frank Ocean may connect with his atmospheric sound, and this could easily become one of those early festival sets that ranks among the weekend’s best discoveries.
Wolf Alice | 4:05 p.m. | Coors Light Mountain Stage
Wolf Alice is one of the acts I am most excited to see. Fans of Wet Leg or The Last Dinner Party should already have the British band on their playlists. Blending dreamy indie rock with explosive alternative anthems, Wolf Alice has long been near the top of my live-music wish list.
Amber Mark | 4:40 p.m. | Scotia Forest Stage
Amber Mark brings smooth R&B and soul to the lineup. Her effortless vocals and laid-back style should make for one of Friday’s standout afternoon performances.
Twenty One Pilots | 9:05 p.m. | Bell River Stage
Friday night belongs to Twenty One Pilots as the duo headlines the first night of OSHEAGA.
Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have spent the summer headlining festivals around the world and have built a reputation for delivering one of the industry’s most dynamic live shows. Their massive production, striking visuals, crowd interaction, and nonstop energy have earned them one of music’s most dedicated fan bases.
Fans travel around the world to see Twenty One Pilots, and the connection the duo shares with its audience is something few artists can match.
Saturday, August 1
Saturday continues with another exciting mix of established performers and emerging artists.
Finn Wolfhard | 4:05 p.m. | Coors Light Mountain Stage
Finn Wolfhard continues to establish himself as a musician with the release of his debut solo album. The project demonstrates that he is developing an artistic identity of his own beyond his acting work on “Stranger Things.”
Malcolm Todd | 5:40 p.m. | Coors Light Mountain Stage
Later in the afternoon, Malcolm Todd takes the stage as one of indie pop’s fastest-rising names. He blends alternative pop, R&B, and funk into a distinctive sound that continues to gain momentum. Fans of Dominic Fike should make sure Todd’s set is on their schedule.
Tate McRae | 9:20 p.m. | Bell River Stage
Saturday night closes with one of Canada’s biggest pop stars as Tate McRae takes over the Bell River Stage.
Having watched McRae perform at a festival several years ago, before she became one of pop’s biggest names, I am excited to see how much she has grown as a performer. Her choreography, live production, confidence, and artistic vision have all reached another level, making her set one of the weekend’s most anticipated performances.
Sunday, August 2
The final day of OSHEAGA offers one last opportunity to discover new artists before the weekend comes to a close.
VALLEY | 2 p.m. | Bell River Stage
Canadian indie-pop band VALLEY is one of Sunday’s early highlights and a group festivalgoers should have on their schedules. With songs such as “Like 1999” and “Never Mine,” the Toronto-based band brings upbeat melodies, emotional lyrics, and feel-good energy to the festival.
Spacey Jane | 4:05 p.m. | Coors Light Mountain Stage
Australian indie-rock favorites Spacey Jane promise an energetic afternoon performance filled with the soaring melodies and emotional songwriting that have helped the band build an international following.
Zara Larsson | 6:40 p.m. | Bell River Stage
Zara Larsson is having a major moment, and her OSHEAGA performance is one we are especially excited to see. The Swedish pop star has given fans hits including “Lush Life,” “Symphony,” and “Never Forget You,” while continuing to impress audiences with her powerful vocals, energetic choreography, bold fashion, and vibrant stage presence.
Lorde | 9 p.m. | Bell River Stage
Lorde will headline the final night of OSHEAGA. As she continues her Ultrasound World Tour in support of her latest album, “Virgin,” her performances combine emotional storytelling, thoughtful choreography, and striking visuals.
Each concert feels like an immersive work of art, making Lorde a fitting artist to close out the festival weekend.
Discovering New Artists at OSHEAGA
One of the best parts of a festival like OSHEAGA is discovering new artists. Although the headliners will draw some of the weekend’s biggest crowds, many of its most exciting moments may happen earlier in the day.
Arrive early, explore the stages, and take a chance on an up-and-coming performer. From the festival grounds and art installations to the food, atmosphere, and smaller acts, there is plenty to experience beyond the main stage.
Take it all in and enjoy the music, sunshine, and everything that makes OSHEAGA such a distinctive festival experience.
We will be covering OSHEAGA throughout the weekend, and we cannot wait to capture the live performances, festival memories, and unforgettable moments from July 31 through August 2.