Turnstile, Tate McRae & Little Simz Lead an Unforgettable Osheaga Day 2
Photos by Daniel D’Souza & Eric Brisson
If Friday set the bar high, Saturday somehow found a way to clear it. With even larger crowds filling Parc Jean-Drapeau, Osheaga‘s second day celebrated everything that makes the festival one of North America’s premier music destinations—a wildly diverse lineup, unforgettable performances, and fans who refused to let unpredictable weather dampen the mood.
Nova Scotia’s Baby Nova showcased the kind of haunting, cinematic songwriting that has already earned comparisons to Lana Del Rey, while Stella Lefty delivered one of the day’s most joyful performances, closing with an unforgettable rendition of Boston.
Australia’s Ecca Vandal exploded onto the stage with relentless energy, and Montreal favourites Wolf Parade, riding renewed momentum following Heated Rivalry, reminded hometown fans exactly why they’ve remained indie rock royalty for two decades.
From Ireland’s Kingfishr and Italy’s Bar Italia to England’s AJ Tracey, whose charismatic performance became one of the day’s best discoveries, the festival’s international flavour was impossible to ignore. Finn Wolfhard proved he’s far more than a television star, bringing genuine rock credentials to the stage, while Party of 2 kept the momentum rolling.
One of the weekend’s biggest surprises came from Quebec’s Angine de Poitrine. Already carrying the reputation as “the hottest band in the world,” they lived up to every bit of the hype, delivering a chaotic, exhilarating set that had the home crowd embracing every second.
As the evening unfolded, the performances only grew stronger. Little Simz delivered a breathtaking masterclass that stood as perhaps the most accomplished performance of the entire weekend, while Sweden’s Viagra Boys were gloriously confrontational, loud, and unapologetically themselves.
Sombr quietly delivered one of the festival’s finest sets, creating an emotional connection that lingered long after the final song. Then came Turnstile, whose explosive hardcore energy transformed the crowd into a sea of movement before Tate McRae brought Day 2 to a spectacular close. Backed by stunning visuals, flawless choreography, fireworks, and a dramatic finale that saw her drenched in gold, the Canadian superstar delivered a headlining performance worthy of the moment.
Beyond the music, Saturday highlighted Osheaga’s remarkable diversity, with artists representing Ireland, Australia, Sweden, Canada, England, and beyond sharing stages throughout the day. Despite the heat and intermittent rain, the energy in front of every stage never faded. If anything, the festival felt even busier than Friday. Food lines stretched across the grounds, while one curious trend stood out—the bar lines remained surprisingly short. Whether that’s a reflection of rising prices or changing habits among younger festival-goers, it was hard to ignore.
Unfortunately, inclement weather on Sunday, coupled with illness, meant we couldn’t cover the festival’s final day firsthand. By all accounts, fans embraced the rain, and Lorde delivered a show-stealing headline performance that closed the weekend in style.
With more than 150,000 fans attending across three days, Osheaga 2026 was an undeniable success. Once again, the festival proved its ability to balance blockbuster headliners with exciting emerging talent from around the world, creating one of the summer’s most rewarding musical experiences.
The countdown is already on for the next edition, returning July 30 to August 1, 2027. Presale tickets are already available, with General Admission starting at $425.
For more photos from the festival, head to our Facebook page! Daniel D’Souza Eric Brisson