Montreal’s Osheaga Festival had a lot to say this year. From breakout solo acts and electrifying visuals to weather delays and a packed final set by Olivia Rodrigo, the 18th edition of Montreal’s landmark festival balanced crowd-pleasers and proved why it still leads the national circuit.
Each August, Parc Jean-Drapeau becomes the setting for one of the country’s most anticipated cultural gatherings. Osheaga’s 18th edition brought in over 140,000 attendees across three days. With six stages stretched across the site, the lineup was carefully balanced: international headliners, emerging voices, and homegrown talent were all given space to make their mark. The Killers, Tyler, the Creator, Gracie Abrams, and Olivia Rodrigo led the bill, drawing massive crowds to the Bell River and Coors Light Mountain stages. But the festival’s identity was also shaped by something other than star power. From large-scale visual installations to local food vendors and a strong showing of Canadian artists, including 12 from Quebec, Osheaga offered a comprehensive experience that blended music with atmosphere and detail.
The festival is designed to reward both loyal fans and curious passersby; a casual onlooker might happen upon an impressive performance at the Scotia Forest stage just before reuniting with friends for a huge set. The event’s programming is what sets it apart, offering both moments of pure fun and a curated look at where music is headed, without losing sight of where it came from. The festival’s surroundings, which included everything from a Ferris wheel to the Musique Sur Papier tent, were just as much a part of the experience as the shows were. This year reinforced Osheaga’s position as Canada’s definitive entry on the global festival map.
Photos by Louis Alson
Text by Louis Alson & copyedited by Sarah-Eve Leduc
The festival kicked off strong on Day One with Sudanese-American artist Dua Saleh, who performed on the Belairdirect Valley stage. Originally from Minneapolis, Saleh is known for their experimental sound that fuses R&B, indie-pop, rap, and spoken word. Their long braids bounced with each gesture, a visual extension of their dynamic presence.
Later that day, the festival’s energy surged as Damiano David, frontman of the Italian rock-band Måneskin and a recently emerged solo artist, took the stage. Known for his theatrical stage presence and genre-fluid style, David performed solo at Osheaga following the recent release of his debut album, Funny Little Fears, which marks a significant shift from Måneskin’s glam-rock roots toward a more introspective, pop-driven sound. Dressed in loose, flowing attire that accentuated his every move, he commanded attention like silk drifting through smoke, framed by a striking backdrop of purple haze and orange light.
Following Damiano David’s performance, Finneas, Grammy-winning producer and longtime collaborator of his sister Billie Eilish, stepped onto the adjacent stage for his first solo headlining set at Osheaga. While he previously appeared at the festival alongside Billie in 2018 and 2023, this marked his official debut as a solo act. And it was well worth the wait: His set was clean and well-produced, mixing slower ballads with more upbeat tracks. He seemed at ease on stage and connected well with the crowd.
For the early evening acts, it was back to European artists, with French rapper, Luidji, and British R&B singer, Jorja Smith. Luidji’s take on French rap was refreshing thanks to his smooth delivery and more laid-back, melodic beats. He delivered strong visuals too, striking memorable poses throughout the set. Jorja Smith lit up the adjacent stage right after him, delivering a powerful performance that balanced emotional nuance with vocal precision. The visuals were strong here too, with the reds and oranges evoking both warmth and intensity, perfectly matching the soulfulness of her set.
The highlight of the first day came a bit after, with Doechii. The Florida-born rapper has been rising quickly thanks to her boundary-pushing style and viral singles. Performing for the first time in Canada, she brought raw energy to a jungle-themed stage. She jumped, twerked, ran across the stage, all while nailing her verses. Her confidence was magnetic, and the crowd matched her energy.
Day Two brought a mix of rising talent, established names, and a brief interruption from the weather. One of the early evening highlights was TV on the Radio, a critically acclaimed rock band from Brooklyn known for their politically engaged lyrics and atmospheric arrangements, allowing them to connect with the audience on a deep level.
Next up was Canadian rapper bbno$ was next, known for his offbeat humor and viral internet hits. Dressed like a circus ringmaster, he brought pure chaotic fun to the stage. With dancers and circus-inspired performers, he moved nonstop and peppered his set with meme references, Gen Z banter, and audience participation. The crowd went wild for tracks like “two” and “1-800,” and his down-to-earth presence made the performance feel like a party. He arguably stole the show on the second day.
As night fell, a huge crowd had gathered for The Chainsmokers. The American EDM-pop duo launched into their set with big visuals, massive drops, and familiar hits. Just as the momentum peaked, it started pouring, and the stage suddenly turned dark; nearby thunderstorms had forced the festival to take a temporary break.
As cheesy as it sounds, the show must go on, and at 10PM, the festival resumed, with one of the most anticipated acts of the weekend: Tyler, The Creator. The LA rapper transformed the Bell River stage into his own universe. He is well-known for his imaginative direction, character-driven albums, and dramatic performances. His set included material from his latest project, Don’t Tap the Glass. It’s his ninth studio album and serves as the follow-up to his 2024 release, Chromakopia. He gave a powerful, well-choreographed performance that was less like a standard rap set and more like a one-man play.
Day Three opened with Vancouver-based singer Jade LeMac, a rising Gen Z voice in pop music. She provided a vulnerable beginning to the day with her smooth vocals and emotionally open lyrics that touched on themes of queerness and self-discovery.
BigXthaPlug followed on the same stage with a completely different energy. Hailing from Dallas, the rapper brought bass-heavy beats and street-ready swagger to the Scotia Forest stage. Prior to his arrival, his DJ energized the audience, establishing the mood for a loud, no-nonsense performance. BigX delivered an explosive set that energized the growing afternoon crowd.
Later in the evening, Grammy-winning rock band Cage the Elephant tore up the stage with the kind of wild energy fans have come to expect from them. Frontman Matt Shultz leapt, got up close with the crowd, and danced across the Coors Light Mountain stage as pyro blasts and flashing lights heightened the chaos. It was everything you would hope for from a rock show: a performance that was sweaty, unpredictable, and utterly thrilling.
The final act of the weekend was pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo, performing her last stop on the Guts World Tour. The demographic shift at the festival was noticeable; younger fans crowded the site in anticipation. Rodrigo delivered a confident, emotionally charged performance that included fan favorites like “vampire.” Her stage presence was polished, but the emotion behind the lyrics still felt raw and authentic. It was a fitting finale to a weekend that balanced spectacle with substance.
Osheaga’s 18th edition showed once again why the festival remains a cornerstone of Canada’s live music landscape. Despite last-minute weather delays, the festival retained a clear focus: creating a dynamic, immersive experience that reflects the current landscape of music. Strong attendance, well-considered programming, and a wide demographic reach allow Osheaga to grow while maintaining its identity.
