Osheaga 2024: A Weekend of Musical Discoveries

The 17th edition of Osheaga is kicking off this weekend at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, bringing together music lovers for three days filled with great performances.

Camille Guitton, one of the festival’s programmers, shared her excitement about the lineup, highlighting ten artists to check out beyond the big names. She mentioned how challenging it can be to balance different musical styles while staying true to current trends.

“It’s always important for us to be eclectic while remembering our indie rock roots since 2006,” Guitton said. This year, she feels they’ve managed to reflect that balance well.

One act to look out for is Wild Rivers, an indie folk group from Toronto. Known for their beautiful harmonies between singers Devan Glover and Khalid Yassein, their soothing music is perfect for enjoying some sunshine.

On the electronic side, Romy, a member of the British band The xx, will perform solo. After releasing her debut album, Mid Air, in 2023, she recently teamed up with Jessie Ware for a track that echoes the 1990s vibe.

Skepta is another exciting act. This British rapper has been a trailblazer in the London grime scene for over 20 years, known for his dark sound and energetic vocal style. His latest work, Ignorance is Bliss, came out in 2019.

The Linda Lindas, an all-girl pop punk band formed in Los Angeles, are also making waves at this festival. Despite their young ages, ranging from 13 to 19, they continue to impress after releasing their first album, Growing Up, in 2022.

Another rising artist is Chapell Roan, who got her start on YouTube. Known for her 80s synth-pop sound, she just dropped her album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, this year.

Keeping the energy high, DVTR represents the new wave of Quebec punk, featuring members JC Tellier and Laurence Giroux-Do. Their latest work includes a fresh micro-album and some cheeky tracks that have caught attention.

The Blue Stones, a blues rock duo resembling The Black Keys, are also on the list to watch. Their dynamic performances prove that great music doesn’t always require a big band.

Clay and Friends, who are finally making their Osheaga debut this year, are expected to bring a lot of energy to the stage, showcasing songs from their album, Stunt.

Not to be missed, Australian band Amyl and the Sniffers brings a mix of punk and garage rock to the festival, while the rising Belgian rapper Hamza is generating buzz with his recent album, Sincèrement.