Written by Scott Simpson on 29.07.14

The Osheaga Music and Arts Festival is the little Canadian festival that could. In the 9 short years since its inception in 2006, it has carved itself a reputation as one of the most important outdoor music festival due to its wide-ranging lineup, picturesque landscape on the Île Sainte-Hélène, easy accessibility, and top-notch organization. Last year’s edition broke its previous attendance record, with 135,000 music revellers hitting the Parc Jean-Drapeau, 70% of which are from outside Québec. Every year’s lineup justifies why Osheaga is consistently ranked as a top festival in North America as well as worldwide, even outranking its Chicago counterpart Lollapalooza in Consequence of Sound’s 2014 power ranking. This year’s addition of a 6th stage, the Valley Stage, only makes deciding an itinerary even harder, but thankfully we’re here to help you make it a little easier.

Big Ticket Acts

Every year Osheaga manages to snag quite a few headliners and even though many are shared with Lollapalooza, such as the newly reunited Outkast, precocious New Zealand popstar Lorde, and UK favourites Arctic Monkeys, it still manages to keep a few treats for itself. Revered American alt-rocker Jack White is only playing a handful of festivals including Osheaga on Saturday, alongside legendary Aussies Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds making a rare North American stop. Saturday also sees a trio of popular American indie acts, including the HAIM sisters, Californian 5-piece Local Natives and early 2000s favourites Modest Mouse. Friday’s top tier lineup is particularly eclectic, with the two main stages (River Stage and Mountain Stage) hosting Pumped Up Kicks singers Foster The People and local hero Sam Roberts’s band. Oh yeah, there’s also this little known DJ named Skrillex taking over the Mountain Stage for a 90 minute set; there might be a couple of people there. Or head over to the Green Stage where electro-funk duo Chromeo and alt-country rock band Band of Horses will be performing. Sunday sees influential alternative rock band The Replacements continue their string of reunion gigs, local favourites Half Moon Run returning after their triumphant set in 2012, and Swedish songstress Lykke Li.

Roundup

Friday, August 1st:
Sam Roberts Band / 4:35pm – 5:35pm / River Stage
Foster The People / 6:35pm – 7:35pm / River Stage
Chromeo / 7:30pm – 8:30pm / Green Stage
Skrillex / 7:35pm – 9:05pm / Mountain Stage
Outkast / 9:05pm – 10:45pm / River Stage
Band Of Horses / 9:15pm – 10:45pm / Green Stage
Saturday, August 2nd:
Local Natives / 3:40pm – 4:25pm / River Stage
HAIM / 5:15pm – 6:05pm / River Stage
Modest Mouse / 6:05pm – 7:05pm / Mountain Stage
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds / 8:05pm – 9:05pm / Mountain Stage
Jack White / 9:05pm – 10:55pm / River Stage
Sunday, August 3rd:
Half Moon Run / 6:30pm – 7:20pm / Mountain Stage
The Replacements / 7:20pm – 8:20pm / River Stage
Lorde / 8:20pm – 9:20pm / Mountain Stage
Arctic Monkeys / 9:20pm – 10:50pm / Arctic Monkeys
Lykke Li / 9:55pm – 11:00pm / Green Stage

Canuck Pride

One thing Osheaga always does well is promoting Canadian artists, especially up-and-coming ones, proving they always have their finger on the pulse of the emerging music scene. Friday is host to a number of Montreal artists who’ve made a splash locally and internationally, including slack rocker Mac DeMarco, synth pop act Dear Frederic, and indie pop rockers Le Trouble. Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew kicks off Saturday on the River Stage to perform songs from his most recent solo album Darlings, Toronto folk artist and Polaris Prize shortlist nominee Basia Bulat will be performing on the Green Stage for an evening set, and local electro folk artist Jimmy Hunt will serenade the crowds at the Green Stage. FOXTROTT has been making waves performing her blend of electro/R&B/pop and is not to be missed on Sunday; Montreal export Tiga brings his live show back to his hometown, and local “franglais” rap group Dead Obies have made quite the names for themselves this past year, with reason, and are sure to make quite the scene while closing off the festival on the Tree Stage.

Roundup

Friday, August 1st:
Le Trouble / 1:00pm – 1:40pm / Tree Stage
Dear Frederic / 1:40pm – 2:20pm / Valley Stage
Mac DeMarco / 9:50pm – 10:50pm / Tree Stage
Saturday, August 2nd:
Kevin Drew / 1:00pm – 1:40pm / River Stage
Jimmy Hunt / 3:55pm – 4:40pm / Tree Stage
Basia Bulat / 6:20pm – 7:20pm / Green Stage
Sunday, August 3rd:
FOXTROTT / 1:40pm – 2:20pm / Tree Stage
Tiga / 7:15pm – 8:30pm / Piknic Stage
Dead Obies / 10:10pm – 10:55pm / Tree Stage

Hip Hop Flavour

Every year Osheaga outdoes itself with its hip hop lineup, always managing to book a great combination of established and newer acts. Friday alone sees Outkast, Donald Glover’s hip hop persona Childish Gambino, and Pusha T (better known as half of rap duo Clipse) all performing. Saturday, not to be outdone, boasts Roc Nation artist J. Cole, Fool’s Gold signee Danny Brown, and Pro Era leader Joey Bada$$. Sunday hosts a duo of rap underdogs including Kanye-approved Travi$ Scott and L.A.’s Kid Ink.

Roundup

Friday, August 1st:
Pusha T / 4:20pm – 5:10pm / Green Stage
Childish Gambino / 5:35pm – 6:35pm / Mountain Stage
Outkast / 9:05pm – 10:45pm / River Stage
Saturday, August 2nd:
J. Cole / 7:05pm – 8:05pm / River Stage
Danny Brown / 8:05pm – 9:05pm / Green Stage
Joey Bada$$ / 9:45pm – 10:45pm / Tree Stage
Sunday, August 3rd:
Travi$ Scott / 2:35pm – 3:20pm / Green Stage
Kid Ink / 7:20pm – 8:05pm / Tree Stage

Piknic Électronik Stage

The Piknic Électronik Stage is the kind of stage you can stop by at any given moment during any day and never be disappointed. Where else can you catch Nova Scotia native Ryan Hemsworth, Wedidit crew leader Shlohmo, Australian DJ superstar Flume, local electronic pioneer Jacques Greene and British duo Chase & Status all perform on the same stage? And this is just Friday’s lineup. Saturday doesn’t slow down for a second, with Montreal producer and prolific remixer Kaytranada, the insanely talented UK musician Four Tet, electronic dance producer and fellow Brit Jon Hopkins, and French DJs Gesaffelstein and Laurent Garnier playing back to back. Sunday’s lineup is decidedly more eclectic, with Swiss DJ Cyril Hahn hitting the decks, followed by popular UK dance producer Duke Dumont and American electronic trio The Glitch Mob finishing up the day.

Roundup

Friday, August 1st:
Ryan Hemsworth / 3:00pm – 4:00pm / Piknic Stage
Shlohmo / 4:00pm – 5:00pm / Piknic Stage
Flume / 7:00pm – 8:00pm / Piknic Stage
Jacques Greene (Live) / 8:00pm – 9:00pm / Piknic Stage
Chase & Status / 9:30pm – 10:55pm / Piknic Stage
Saturday, August 2nd:
Kaytranada / 3:30pm – 4:30pm / Piknic Stage
Four Tet / 5:30pm – 6:30pm / Piknic Stage
Jon Hopkins / 6:30pm – 7:30pm / Piknic Stage
Gesaffelstein / 7:30pm – 8:55pm / Piknic Stage
Laurent Garnier / 8:55pm – 10:55pm / Piknic Stage
Sunday, August 3rd:
Cyril Hahn / 4:00pm – 5:00pm / Piknic Stage
Duke Dumont / 5:00pm – 6:00pm / Piknic Stage
Tiga / 7:15pm – 8:30pm / Piknic Stage
The Glitch Mob / 9:40pm – 10:55pm / Piknic Stage

The British Are Coming

The U.K. pumps out great music at a prolific pace, so it should come as no surprise that Osheaga is chock-full of artists originating from our neighbours across the pond. From electronic-veering artists such as SBTRKT, Breach, London Grammar, and Glasgow’s CHVRCHES, to more rock-influenced acts Royal Blood, The Kooks, and Bombay Bicycle Club, you’re bound to get your UK fix.

Roundup

Friday, August 1st:
London Grammar / 5:55pm – 6:45pm / Green Stage
Saturday, August 2nd:
Breach / 4:30pm – 5:30pm / Piknic Stage
SBTRKT / 9:50pm – 10:55pm / Green Stage
Sunday, August 3rd:
Bombay Bicycle Club / 2:25pm – 3:10pm / River Stage
The Kooks / 3:10pm – 4:00pm / Mountain Stage
CHVRCHES / 4:50pm – 5:40pm / Mountain Stage
Royal Blood / 6:35pm – 7:20pm / Valley Stage

Tips and Tricks

  • While the 3-day passes and Sunday tickets are sold out, you may still purchase Friday or Saturday tickets here;
  • Get there early to avoid large lines;
  • Familiarize yourself with the site map below: it’ll make your life so much easier;
  • Print the daily schedules: Friday; Saturday; Sunday;
  • Sunscreen’s your best friend;
  • Don’t forget a rain poncho and Ziploc bags to protect your phone if it rains;
  • Pick a few key meeting spots with your friends in case you separate;
  • Wear comfortable shoes; nobody really cares what you’re wearing;
  • Don’t be tacky: avoid Indigenous headdresses, floral crowns, and inflatable animals. They never have and never will be cool;
  • Just enjoy yourself and take in as much music as you can.

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