Osheaga, July 31st to August 2nd, 2026, Be there!
Osheaga has always been about more than the headliners. Sure, the massive closing sets at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival will draw huge crowds from July 31st to August 2nd, 2026, but the real magic of the weekend often happens earlier in the day — when you stumble into a set that completely blows you away at Parc Jean-Drapeau.
This year’s undercard is stacked with artists pushing boundaries across indie rock, hardcore, hip-hop, folk, electronic, and experimental pop. Here are the 10 non-headlining acts I’m most excited to catch live at Osheaga 2026.
1. Geese
Few young bands feel as unpredictable and electric right now as Geese. Their live reputation has exploded over the last couple of years thanks to chaotic guitars, sharp songwriting, and frontman Cameron Winter’s wildly theatrical vocals. They move effortlessly between post-punk tension and jam-band looseness, which means their Osheaga set could go absolutely anywhere. If you like your festival performances messy in the best possible way, Geese is essential viewing.
2. Sombr
Sombr represents the newer wave of emotionally raw alternative pop artists who thrive on atmosphere and vulnerability. The studio recordings already feel intimate, but there’s something about these songs in a festival setting that could create a genuine moment. Expect huge singalongs from fans who discovered him online long before the mainstream caught up.
3. Turnstile
No band has redefined hardcore for modern festival audiences quite like Turnstile. Their blend of punk aggression, melody, funk grooves, and massive hooks has made them one of the most exciting live acts on the planet. Even people who don’t normally listen to hardcore walk away from a Turnstile set converted. The crowd energy at Parc Jean-Drapeau during this performance could become one of the defining moments of the entire weekend.
4. Clipse
The return of Clipse still feels surreal. Pusha T and No Malice helped define an era of razor-sharp hip-hop, and hearing those classic tracks live in 2026 is going to hit hard. Their catalog remains untouchable, packed with cold-blooded production and legendary verses. For hip-hop fans, this is one of the must-see bookings of the festival.
5. Max McNown
Every Osheaga lineup needs an artist who provides a quieter emotional counterweight to the chaos, and Max McNown might be that performer this year. His folk-influenced songwriting feels personal without being overproduced, and festival crowds tend to connect deeply with artists who can command attention without needing spectacle. Don’t be surprised if this ends up being one of the sleeper sets of the weekend.
6. Little Simz
Little Simz has spent the last several years proving she’s one of the most complete artists in modern hip-hop. Her live performances combine precision, charisma, storytelling, and incredible musicality. Whether she’s delivering introspective tracks or explosive bangers, she controls a stage like a seasoned headliner. Even on a lineup full of major names, she has the ability to steal the entire day.
7. Wolf Parade
There’s something poetic about seeing Wolf Parade perform in Montreal during Osheaga weekend. Their emotionally charged indie rock helped shape the sound of Canadian alternative music in the 2000s, and their songs still hit with urgency today. Expect longtime fans to lose their minds when the opening notes of I’ll Believe in Anything kick in across the park.
8. Trixie Mattel
DJ sets from Trixie Mattel are pure fun in the best festival sense of the word. Mixing pop chaos, dance tracks, camp energy, and crowd interaction, her performances feel less like traditional DJ sets and more like giant outdoor parties. Osheaga always benefits from artists who bring personality as much as music, and Trixie delivers both effortlessly.
9. Stella Lefty
One of the most exciting parts of Osheaga is discovering artists before they fully break out, and Stella Lefty feels like exactly that kind of booking. There’s an edge and confidence to her music that suggests much bigger stages are coming soon. Early afternoon festival sets often create future stars, and this could easily become one of those moments people talk about afterward.
10. Sofia Isella
Sofia Isella brings a darker, cinematic energy that stands out immediately. Her blend of alternative pop, poetic lyricism, and dramatic live presence could make for one of the most immersive performances of the festival. In a lineup packed with loud moments and huge crowds, she’s the kind of artist who can stop people in their tracks.
What makes Osheaga special every year isn’t just the giant headliners — it’s the discovery factor. It’s walking between stages at Parc Jean-Drapeau and accidentally finding your new favorite artist halfway through a set.
This year’s lineup feels especially strong beneath the top billing, with artists spanning generations and genres while still sharing that same fearless live energy.
Whether you’re diving into the chaos of Turnstile, soaking in the lyricism of Little Simz, dancing with DJ Trixie Mattel, or catching the emotional intensity of Wolf Parade at sunset, the undercard at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival 2026 looks ready to deliver some unforgettable moments.