Festival Preview: Osheaga 2025 Promises to Be a Festival Like No Other – and Atwood Has You Covered

Finally, peak summer has arrived – and you can see some of the biggest acts and future stars all on one island at Montréal’s 2025 Osheaga Festival!

**For me, it’s not truly summer until Osheaga weekend.**

Sure, it’s been nice for weeks and there’s been other events – it is August, after all – but Osheaga just feels like the start of the fun. It’s three days of magic, that also happens to kick off Montréal’s Pride Month. Let’s go.

Take place on the iconic Parc Jean-Drapeau and featuring some of the hottest touring acts of today, it’s a festival that never fails to blow us away. This years lineup, boasting the likes of Lucy Dacus, Olivia Rodrigo, and Cage the Elephant, will be no exception. But it’s not just the biggest names: Osheaga is an event in its own right, where new careers are crowned, memories are made, and summer tans are cemented. So read on to find out who to impress your friends with, who you can’t miss, and where to take that selfie that will make all your friends jealous.

1. Doechii’s Chappell moment

Last year’s rise of the Midwest Princess will struggle to be topped. Chappell Roan sold out Osheaga with her 3 PM Saturday headlining slot, like another notch on her 2024 bedpost of festival conquests. It was a top five moment in the history of Osheaga, and few events will ever top it. But let’s not ignore the Doechii victory lap that could be this year’s Roan moment. Poised to go on halfway through The Killers’ set (isn’t any question which stage I’ll be at), rap’s hottest new thing will be stealing away everyone who isn’t a Hot Fuss obsessive. Last year’s album, the near-perfect Alligator Bites Never Heal, is one of the best rap albums in recent times, and she’s only got better since then. I mean, did you see next month’s Vogue? Doechii is the star of the moment, and she will be this year’s can’t miss moment.

Osheaga 2024 Rocked, Sweated, and Belonged to Chappell Roan

:: REVIEW ::

2. Tyler, The Creator’s new album

So I don’t know if you heard, but this rapper dropped a surprise album recently: He’s called Tyler, The Creator and he’s kind of the biggest deal right now. Despite being on tour for CHROMAKOPIA—a powerful dissection of modern masculinity and new fatherhood—Tyler proves he never sleeps, dropping DON’T TAP THE GLASS. But this album has a different goal in mind: Bring back the dancing. Featuring addictive beats that will make the bootie shaking impossible to resist, and that classic Tyler flow, it’s another offering that hits his ridiculously high standards. And on Saturday night, you’ll get to see him perform it. Just make sure you put your phone away and move that body.

3. Atwood’s rising stars

What is a music festival without discovering that new undercard obsession, that name that you can’t wait to drag your friends to?! Don’t worry, Atwood has you covered this year!

Dua Saleh

One of the most interesting RnB stars around right now, Minnesota’s own Dua Saleh offers an experience that few others can. Their debut album, I SHOULD CALL THEMhas everything, from silky smooth vocals to staccato attacks, the vocal range is as stunning at the production is mesmerizing. Their track with serpentwithfeet feels like two cosmic souls colliding, and the world is a better place for it. Saleh is one of the genre’s biggest growers, so now is the time to catch them before they’re on the main stage in a couple of years

Mint Simon

It wouldn’t be a list without some local talent, and Mint Simon is some of the most exciting. They are pure ’80s magic, channelled through Harry Styles and LP. It’s total ecstasy, all neon lights and high vocals. Playing 5:15pm on Saturday, they’re the perfect launch into an evening full of great music. I dare you not to groove, not to sing along, and ultimately not to fall in love with Mint Simon.

salute

This pick is for my dancers out there: salute is pure EDM magic, reimagining our favourite classics and delivering modern beats that are impossible not to love. salute has everything: The technical skills, the contacts and the swag to be a great Dj, and all will be on show on Friday evening. It promising to be a no-miss show, the weekends chance to really let your hair down and dance.

4. That view of Montréal, am I right?!

Montréal is Canada’s cultural centre, and it’s also gorgeous to look at. While I could recommend a week’s worth of non-Osheaga entertainment in the city, the view of the skyline from Parc Jean-Drapeau is unparalleled. Head behind the main stage, past the vendors to the steps by the waterfront for that pic that will be the talk of your group chat. Bonus points if you can brave the lines—and the heights—for that extra special ferris wheel shot!