Can’t attend Osheaga this weekend? Never fear, The Gazette is onsite at Parc-Jean-Drapeau and combing social media to keep you informed on the surprises, celebs and viral moments from this year’s edition.
Photos: Twenty One Pilots play pyro and confetti-heavy headlining set
Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Twenty One Pilots fans sing along to the band’s set at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Twenty One Pilots close night one of the festival by razzing the VIP section
Frontman Tyler Joseph poked fun of the VIPs perched in the elevated section next to the main stage. “Who are they,” he said, before admitting it’s a “dope spot” to watch a show. “That’s why we don’t like them.”
Joseph also doubted the crowd in the Coors Light section knew the lyrics to the next song.
Japanese duo Yoasobi say they’re the first J-pop band to play Osheaga
The XX’s Oliver Sim sings to a baby in the crowd
Oliver Sim of the xx performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Photos: The Neighbourhood perform in t-shirt weather
Zachary Abels, left, and Jesse Rutherford, lead singer of The Neighbourhood perform at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Jesse Rutherford, lead singer of The Neighbourhood performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Jesse Rutherford, lead singer of The Neighbourhood performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Jesse Rutherford, lead singer of The Neighbourhood performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Could Charli XCX join Lorde in Montreal?
Lollapalooza in Chicago and Osheaga are typically on the same weekend, and share many artists. Lorde is Sunday’s headliner in Montreal but on Thursday she performed in Chicago, where she brought out Brat hitmaker Charli XCX. Could history repeat itself in Montreal?
Photos: Wet Leg hit the main stage right before the rain
Rhian Teasdale of Wet Leg performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Rhian Teasdale of Wet Leg performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Rhian Teasdale of Wet Leg performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Rhian Teasdale of Wet Leg performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
‘Clear’ bag rule in effect: How are festivalgoers faring?
Some festivalgoers had to change their packing plans after the festival announced that bags above a certain size needed to be clear.
A few waited nervously in the lineup to enter the outdoor venue, unsure if they properly complied with the regulations.
“I went to other festivals, and this thing wasn’t like that. So it was a surprise for me, and I don’t know if they will accept my bag,” said Chiara Italiano, who brought a red backpack.
She was worried without her bag, she couldn’t bring in her medicine in case she gets a headache.
Meanwhile, Michael Waterston, who came with his daughter Julia, had a clear bag.
“We’re fine with it,” he said about the new policy. “I think it’s nice to be able to bring in things that are, uh, you need during the day.”
They bought the bag online.
Photos: Leon Bridges tests out Happiness Anytime
The American R&B chameleon played a rare 2026 set in preparation for the release of his upcoming album, Happiness Anytime. Four are currently available on streaming and the full 12-track album drops Sept. 25.
Evenko VP Nick Farkas said the late addition came together quickly, with Bridges’ agent reaching out three weeks before.
So far, Bridges has previewed his newest material sparingly in a pop-up format. His label, Sony Canada, said he’s done pop-ups in Paris, Cannes, Los Angeles, Montreux Jazz Festival and London at The Jazz Cafe.
Leon Bridges performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Leon Bridges performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Leon Bridges performs at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. (Evan Buhler / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
La Banquise makes Osheaga debut
For the roughly two-thirds of Osheaga festivalgoers who come from out of province, the event is just as much a chance to try the city’s culinary scene as the music.
Local restos have been a mainstay here, with returning businesses like Mandy’s, but this year, poutine hotspot La Banquise is available to satisfy tourists who can’t make it to the singular location on Rachel St. E.
How does it compare in prices? A $17.95 price tag for a bacon poutine splits the difference between the medium ($13.25) and the large ($21.50). And they didn’t skimp on the size either.
Photos: Local artist Super Plage opens fest on main stage
Super Plage, Jules Henry, is the first artist to perform at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Super Plage, Jules Henry, is the first artist to perform at Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal on Friday, July 31, 2026. Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Tate McRae posters pop-up downtown
Tate McRae fan account T8HQ has posted a list of addresses downtown where fans can find posters promoting her upcoming Osheaga appearance. These were snapped by The Gazette’s Allen McInnis on St-Jacques St.
Cryptic posters by Tate McRae have been posted around Montreal, on Friday, July 31, 2026. Allen McInnis / Montreal Gazette
Cryptic posters by Tate McRae have been posted around Montreal, on Friday, July 31, 2026. Allen McInnis / Montreal Gazette
Leon Bridges a late addition, another “surprise” act set for Saturday
Fans are astute when it comes to identifying empty slots in the lineup. One was filled days ago when American singer-songwriter Leon Bridges was a late addition to Friday’s lineup. His new tour, Leon Bridges presents Happiness Anytime, will hit the Valley Stage at 3:55 p.m., an early time for an artist of that stature.
“When his agent called three weeks ago, I thought it was for him to play in 2027,” said Nick Farkas, Evenko VP.
“So when you get that kind of opportunity, you’re not going to say no to Leon Bridges.”
Like a high-profile comedian performing at a small club, Bridges is testing out new material from his upcoming album on a side stage. Four tracks are already available on streaming. He’ll replace UK rapper Jim Legaxcy, who bowed out from this year’s fest.
Farkas promised another surprise for festivalgoers on Saturday.
“Saturday, same thing. We had a cancellation. We’re like, ‘Okay, we know the day’s already sold out with Tate (McRae). Let’s give people a surprise when they come in.’”
Farkas didn’t reveal the name, but CHOM 97.7 FM is speculating this year’s jazz fest heroes Angine de Poitrine could perform. They have a hole in their schedule at 4:55 p.m. on the Valley stage that would allow for it.
New clear bag policy in effect
Festivalgoers this year will need to comply with a new backpack policy or risk not being allowed to bring in their supplies.
Osheaga announced on Instagram this month that while bags up to a maximum size of 23 x 15 x 10 cm can be non-transparent, larger bags up to 30 x 30 x 23 cm must be transparent.
Any bags that do not comply with these dimensions are not permitted.
Montreal indie rock heroes Wolf Parade find new fans with Heated Rivalry moment
When Wolf Parade was contacted by director Jacob Tierney to request permission for use of one of their songs in a new series he was working on, the queer hockey romance Heated Rivalry, “it was a complete no-brainer for us,” singer-guitarist Dan Boeckner recalled recently.
Read more about how the band is riding the Heated Rivalry “global phenomenon” to this year’s Osheaga.
Tate McRae hints at new era with Instagram posts
Unlike many acts who hit Montreal mid-tour, Calgary-born pop star Tate McRae has only two shows currently on the docket: Chicago’s Lollapalooza and Osheaga. Because of the exclusivity, fans are expecting a few surprises with these two sets.
And so far, McRae is whetting their appetites with cryptic messages and posters in both cities. “Montreal. Chicago. See u soon,” she posted four days ago.
A day later, she posted “can’t wait to see u guys again.”
McRae performs in the headlining slot Saturday. It was the first of the three days to sellout.
STM offers weekend pass for festivalgoers taking public transit
It costs $21.25 and offers unlimited travel from Friday at 5 a.m. to Monday at 5 a.m
[@osheaga] ?? Have you heard of the special #OSHEAGA Unlimited Weekend fare?
? $21.25
? Unlimited travel from Friday 5 a.m. to Monday 5 a.m.
?️ Zones A, B, C, and D
? Valid on the bus, métro, REM and train
Available at every métro stations until closing time tonight. pic.twitter.com/kRWOLG7C4j
— STM (@stminfo) July 31, 2026
It can be purchased right from the kiosk.
On the yellow line, due to the festival, dogs and bikes are prohibited from noon onward.
[Restrictions] ⛔?? Due to @osheaga near ?Jean-Drapeau, bicycles and pet dogs are prohibited today:
? From noon until the métro closes
? On all trains of the ? line
? In all stations of the ? line pic.twitter.com/ccDZmN6j1o
— Ligne 4 – Jaune (@stm_Jaune) July 31, 2026