As a proud Canadian and a devoted music lover, I’m ashamed to admit that this year will be my first time experiencing Canada’s iconic, three-day-long, 110-band festival, Osheaga.
I’m dipping my toes into the Osheaga waters by taking in only one day of the festival. On Sunday, August 3rd, (the day that coincidentally hosts my absolute, must-see bands), I will be reveling in Parc Jean-Drapeau, where the sun, music, crowds and the beautiful city of Montreal will make for an ideal long weekend.
The dilemma, however, that every music-festival goer faces is the decision between fighting the masses of perspiring groupies to catch as many artists in one day as possible. OR cutting your losses and cherry-picking the must-sees that will fit into a well-rounded festival day. Although the schedule corresponding with my favourite acts might have me lightly jogging running from one stage to the next, there are at least five Osheaga must-sees that I wouldn’t stand to miss. No matter how many groupies I have to crush to get there.
1) VANCE JOY
I don’t care when Riptide was released, Vance Joy’s little masterpiece has recently worked its way on to my personal summer playlist. Wave after wave of melodic ukulele notes make this ditty the perfect summer anthem and, to me, no summer music festival would be complete without hearing it in the flesh.
Hoping to hear:
2) CHVRCHES
It was only last year when I fell in love with Chvrches but based on the style, sound and direction this band has taken since then, I’m certain their performance at Osheaga will be remarkable. Though many of their songs are shaped by saddening lyrics, their electro-pop rhythms make Chvrches the perfectly danceable music festival act.
Hoping to hear:
3) PORTUGAL. THE MAN.
For me, certain sounds are for certain places. The latest album by Portugal. The Man fell upon my ears last summer and the months of summer is where Portugal. The Man will always stay. His chaotic album, Evil Friends, had me hooked in June and July of 2013 and I would love nothing more than to see them, a year later, performing on a summer’s day.
Hoping to hear:
4) CYRIL HAHN
Mr. Hahn doesn’t frequent my playlists. Nor are his songs a part of my morning shower repertoire. But, there is one reason why I believe a talent like his is not be missed at Osheaga. Anyone who remixes Destiny’s Child’s Say My Name into a groovy tune like this one, gets a golden festival star.
5) CHERUB
Despite the adolescent and arrogant onstage presence that I can only imagine is embodied by this duo, their funky, electro-pop melodies are reason enough to peep these guys in action. I’m not certain I’ll buy into their onstage antics, but among the haze of music festival revelry, a hit of Doses and Mimosas will be just what the crowd is calling for.
Hoping to hear:
See you there, groupies.
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