This summer, Canadian music fans are spoiled for choice: wherever you look on the map, there are amazing music festivals taking place, from humble indie events that highlight the local scene to multi-day blockbusters featuring some of the world's most famous headliners.
With so much going on, our staffers picked some of our favourite acts playing Canadian music festivals this summer — both the standout artists we're excited to catch again, and the new favourites who we can't wait to check out for the first time.
Read our picks below, and be sure to see who the Canadian artists themselves picked as this year's must-see performances.
Kaelen Bell, Reviews Editor
Mannequin Pussy
Pure ecstasy and rage, Mannequin Pussy come alive on stage — though their excellent recorded output is no slouch either — whipping crowds into a frenzy of open-hearted energy with their massive riffs and frontperson Missy Dabice's gravitational pull.
Playing: Sled Island Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB, June 21–25)
Mulligrub
A still-somehow-underrated Winnipeg institution, Mulligrub are bringing their prickly, punky guitar pop to Manitoba's Real Love Festival, where they're set to remind everyone of their inimitable songwriting.
Playing: Real Love Summer Fest (July 28–30)
Colin Stetson
Colin Stetson's stirring latest record, When we were that what wept for the sea, was "recorded live, no overdubs/loops," and this is your chance to witness the saxophonist's menacing magic in the flesh.
Playing: Ottawa Jazz Festival (Ottawa, ON, June 23–30), TD Toronto Jazz Festival (Toronto, ON, June 23–July 2)
Water from Your Eyes
Impish masters of off-kilter art-pop, Water from Your Eyes's scrappy digital junkyard is likely best experienced live, where you can truly lose yourself in the bright-eyed onslaught of unpredictable melodies and jagged riffs.
Playing: Sled Island Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB, June 21–25), Real Love Summer Fest (July 28–30), POP Montreal (Montreal, QC, September 27–October 1)
Colin Stetson photo: Kyle Laurin
Sydney Brasil, Social Media Manager
Altın Gün
The endless groove of these psychedelic Anatolian rockers will soundtrack a hazy summer evening superbly. I'm a sucker for dual bandleaders, so it's safe to say Altın Gün's dynamics will make for a can't-miss set.
Playing: Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
Metric
Seeing Metric is always a good time. With enough hits to keep a high-energy crowd going, it's apparent that many years performing together has not stripped their love for it.
Playing: AREA 506 (Saint John, NB, August 4–6), Riverfest Elora (Elora, ON, August 18–20)
Mother Tongues
Mother Tongues' sets are a constant apex of the Toronto music scene's nightlife. Their entrancing performances swallow their spectators, so the anticipation for their move to larger audiences is lofty.
Playing: Lawnya Vawnya (St. John's, NL, June 7–10), Sled Island Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB, June 21–25), Sappyfest (Sackville, NB, August 4–6), POP Montreal (Montreal, QC, September 27–October 1)
The Smile
The first time I ever travelled for a show, I saw Radiohead at Osheaga 2016, and it was deeply formative for me. Suffice to say, Yorke and Greenwood's latest project will be just as monumental.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16)
U.S. Girls
With a new band in tow, Meg Remy has proven her knack for transforming her recorded tracks for a live setting. Having seen her first show in three years recently, it became clear that her current iteration is still just beginning.
Playing: Hillside Festival (Guelph, ON, July 28–30), Rifflandia (Victoria, BC, September 15–17)
U.S. Girls photo: Morgan Harris
Allie Gregory, Online Editor
Alex G
I still have his end-of-year-list-topping 2022 album God Save the Animals on heavy rotation for its genre-fluid songs, which will offer something for everyone on the festival circuit this summer.
Playing: Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
Fleet Foxes
There's nothing more serene than watching Fleet Foxes perform "Ragged Wood" with the setting sun as a backdrop, not to mention that Robin Pecknold and co. are festival vets and essential viewing for new and old fans.
Playing: RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16), Halifax Jazz Festival (Halifax, NS, July 11–16), Reverb at the Phillips Backyard Festival Series (Victoria, BC, August 11–13)
The HIRS Collective
If you're sticking around Toronto for Osheaga weekend, be sure to check out the DIY-forward New Friends Fest headliners the HIRS Collective, whose 2023 album We're Still Here found the group filling a G.L.O.S.S.-shaped hole in our hearts, and uniting the star power of Shirley Manson, Frank Iero, Full of Hell and more.
Playing: New Friends Fest (Toronto, ON, August 4–6)
Meet Me @ the Altar
For a dose of Warped Tour energy without all the controversy, check out pop-punk revivalists Meet Me @ the Altar's high-energy live show, and be sure to watch those elbows when you're push-moshing to "Say It (To My Face)."
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16)
Shania Twain
Yee-fuckin'-haw, y'all. The Queen (of Me) is back. Having regained her voice — literally and figuratively — on her latest album, the Ontario-born leading lady of country is sneaking in a headlining Canadian festival performance amid her continent-spanning tour plans.
Playing: RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16)
Meet Me @ the Altar photo: Stephen McGill
Alex Hudson, Editor-in-Chief
Alvvays
What makes Alvvays such a special live band is their almost supernatural ability to recreate their album arrangements on stage. In particular, Molly Rankin's voice is spot-on every time.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16)
Feist
Feist's immersive Multitudes performance was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, so I'm excited to see how that multimedia experience translates into a more traditional festival setting.
Playing: Ottawa Jazz Festival (Ottawa, ON, June 23–30), Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), Mariposa Folk Festival (Orillia, ON, July 7–9), Halifax Jazz Festival (Halifax, NS, July 11–16), Riverfest Elora (Elora, ON, August 18–20)
JPEGMAFIA
Peggy's Danny Brown collaboration SCARING THE HOES is a wild, weird and noisy masterpiece. Danny isn't scheduled to be there, but JPEGMAFIA remains a must-see.
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
Lil Yachty
The rapper's psych-rock reinvention on this year's Let's Start Here. was as unexpected as it was excellent. He worships at the altar of Pink Floyd without losing his own style.
Playing: Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
The Weather Station
Ignorance was one of my favourite albums from the deepest, darkest depths of the pandemic, so I'm excited to finally catch Tamara Lindeman touring behind it.
Playing: Festival International de Jazz de Montreal (Montreal, QC, June 29–July 8), Mariposa Folk Festival (Orillia, ON, July 7–9), Calgary Folk Music Festival (Calgary, AB, July 27–30), Regina Folk Festival (Regina, SK, August 11–13)
Alvvays photo: Chris Gee
Ben Okazawa, Staff Writer
Arkells
You can't go wrong with catching a set from seasoned performers like Arkells, who have experience lighting up big outdoor venues from shows at Budweiser Stage and festivals.
Playing: CityFolk Festival (Ottawa, ON, September 13–17)
Ashanti
Even though Ashanti hasn't released an album in nearly a decade, hearing "Foolish," "Baby" and "Always on Time" live will inspire the nostalgia to make her a must-watch for any 2000s R&B head.
Playing: TD Toronto Jazz Festival (Toronto, ON, June 23–July 2), Rock the Park Music Festival (London, ON, July 12–15)
Maggie Rogers
A pure artist of Rogers's ilk is a no-brainer to catch live, especially after the strength of her latest offering, Surrender.
Playing: Sommo Festival (Cavendish, PE, July 14–15)
Pitbull
BYOBC (bring your own bald cap) to shred your vocal chords screaming along to any one of Mr. Worldwide's earworm pop hits.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16)
Vivek Shraya
Shraya's debut album, Baby, You're Projecting, is filled to the brim with pop cuts that will make you want to dance — and if the music doesn't, her boundless confidence on stage will.
Playing: Hillside Festival (Guelph, ON, July 28–30)
Arkells photo: Matt Forsythe
Calum Slingerland, Print Magazine Editor
Maya Jane Coles
Having followed Coles since before the "Truffle Butter" sample, I reckon heading to British Columbia's interior for her transcendent mixing to take hold is the only way to go deeper.
Playing: Shambhala Music Festival (West Kootenay, BC, July 20–24)
Dominique Fils-Aimé
Having caught ears from coast to coast with her award-winning trilogy of albums, expect Fils-Aimé to bring new material to festivals this summer before Our Roots Run Deep arrives this September.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), River & Sky, Calgary Folk Music Festival (Calgary, AB, July 27–30), Edge of the World Music Festival (Haida Gwaii, BC, August 11–13)
Shaggy
I'm always ready to hold down any friend picking "It Wasn't Me" at karaoke by singing Rik Rok's hook. What better summer plans than to head west and try to land a spot onstage with Mr. Boombastic himself?
Playing: Laketown Shakedown (Cowichan Valley, BC, June 30–July 2), Cowboys Music Festival (Calgary, AB, July 6–16), TD Halifax Jazz Festival (Halifax, NS, July 11—16)
The Smile
Between rave reviews from those who caught their prior North American shows and news that they've been at work on new music, I fully expect the Smile to leave me grinning ear to ear.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16)
The Sun Ra Arkestra
The wealthy rocket men blasting into space are fools, as with the legendary Arkestra's Canadian tour, interplanetary travel is both cost-effective and steps away from my door this summer.
Playing: Suoni Per Il Popolo (Montreal, QC, June 1–23), TONE Festival (Toronto, ON, June 2–28), EVERYSEEKER (Halifax, NS, June 14–18), Sled Island Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB, June 21–25), Ottawa Jazz Festival (Ottawa, ON, June 23–30), Vancouver International Jazz Festival (Vancouver, BC, June 23–July 2)
The Smile photo: Stephen McGill
Megan LaPierre, Associate Online Editor
The Beaches
The relentlessly on-the-road Toronto quartet know how to put on a rock show. They'll safely be in top form this festival season to satisfy every bit of leftover teen angst with new, slacker energy-infused tunes ahead of their first independent album.
Playing: Norfolk County Fairgrounds Festival (Simcoe, ON, June 9–10), SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival (Saskatoon, SK, June 30–July 9), AREA 506 (Saint John, NB, August 4–6)
Dizzy
The crown jewel of Oshawa, Dizzy crest with an unassuming power. Even if you don't count yourself among the deeply-connected fanbase they've cultivated, there's no resisting the lush pop dreamscapes of their emotionally blistering coming-of-age anthems.
Playing: Springtide Music Festival (Uxbridge, ON, June 9–11), POP Montreal (September 27–October 1)
DEBBY FRIDAY
With debut album GOOD LUCK serving as an electrifying journey through the multiverse of genre and self-discovery in equal measure, I would definitely be most fortunate to catch the Nigerian-Canadian explode a festival stage with her enthralling, mercurial energy.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), Hillside Festival (Guelph, ON, July 28–30)
Carly Rae Jepsen
Live and die by the inscription in the sword: thou shalt not ever miss an opportunity to be taken to emotion; to go all the way. The jubilant, life-affirming ecstasy of a CRJ set is, without fail, a taste of pure euphoria.
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
Kendrick Lamar
Even the furthest removed from hip-hop culture would probably co-sign this humble suggestion to see a Pulitzer Prize-winning, all-time great close out Osheaga under the stars.
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
Kendrick Lamar photo: Geoff Fitzgerald
With so much going on, our staffers picked some of our favourite acts playing Canadian music festivals this summer — both the standout artists we're excited to catch again, and the new favourites who we can't wait to check out for the first time.
Read our picks below, and be sure to see who the Canadian artists themselves picked as this year's must-see performances.
Kaelen Bell, Reviews Editor
Mannequin Pussy
Pure ecstasy and rage, Mannequin Pussy come alive on stage — though their excellent recorded output is no slouch either — whipping crowds into a frenzy of open-hearted energy with their massive riffs and frontperson Missy Dabice's gravitational pull.
Playing: Sled Island Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB, June 21–25)
Mulligrub
A still-somehow-underrated Winnipeg institution, Mulligrub are bringing their prickly, punky guitar pop to Manitoba's Real Love Festival, where they're set to remind everyone of their inimitable songwriting.
Playing: Real Love Summer Fest (July 28–30)
Colin Stetson
Colin Stetson's stirring latest record, When we were that what wept for the sea, was "recorded live, no overdubs/loops," and this is your chance to witness the saxophonist's menacing magic in the flesh.
Playing: Ottawa Jazz Festival (Ottawa, ON, June 23–30), TD Toronto Jazz Festival (Toronto, ON, June 23–July 2)
Water from Your Eyes
Impish masters of off-kilter art-pop, Water from Your Eyes's scrappy digital junkyard is likely best experienced live, where you can truly lose yourself in the bright-eyed onslaught of unpredictable melodies and jagged riffs.
Playing: Sled Island Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB, June 21–25), Real Love Summer Fest (July 28–30), POP Montreal (Montreal, QC, September 27–October 1)
Colin Stetson photo: Kyle LaurinSydney Brasil, Social Media Manager
Altın Gün
The endless groove of these psychedelic Anatolian rockers will soundtrack a hazy summer evening superbly. I'm a sucker for dual bandleaders, so it's safe to say Altın Gün's dynamics will make for a can't-miss set.
Playing: Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
Metric
Seeing Metric is always a good time. With enough hits to keep a high-energy crowd going, it's apparent that many years performing together has not stripped their love for it.
Playing: AREA 506 (Saint John, NB, August 4–6), Riverfest Elora (Elora, ON, August 18–20)
Mother Tongues
Mother Tongues' sets are a constant apex of the Toronto music scene's nightlife. Their entrancing performances swallow their spectators, so the anticipation for their move to larger audiences is lofty.
Playing: Lawnya Vawnya (St. John's, NL, June 7–10), Sled Island Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB, June 21–25), Sappyfest (Sackville, NB, August 4–6), POP Montreal (Montreal, QC, September 27–October 1)
The Smile
The first time I ever travelled for a show, I saw Radiohead at Osheaga 2016, and it was deeply formative for me. Suffice to say, Yorke and Greenwood's latest project will be just as monumental.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16)
U.S. Girls
With a new band in tow, Meg Remy has proven her knack for transforming her recorded tracks for a live setting. Having seen her first show in three years recently, it became clear that her current iteration is still just beginning.
Playing: Hillside Festival (Guelph, ON, July 28–30), Rifflandia (Victoria, BC, September 15–17)
U.S. Girls photo: Morgan HarrisAllie Gregory, Online Editor
Alex G
I still have his end-of-year-list-topping 2022 album God Save the Animals on heavy rotation for its genre-fluid songs, which will offer something for everyone on the festival circuit this summer.
Playing: Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
Fleet Foxes
There's nothing more serene than watching Fleet Foxes perform "Ragged Wood" with the setting sun as a backdrop, not to mention that Robin Pecknold and co. are festival vets and essential viewing for new and old fans.
Playing: RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16), Halifax Jazz Festival (Halifax, NS, July 11–16), Reverb at the Phillips Backyard Festival Series (Victoria, BC, August 11–13)
The HIRS Collective
If you're sticking around Toronto for Osheaga weekend, be sure to check out the DIY-forward New Friends Fest headliners the HIRS Collective, whose 2023 album We're Still Here found the group filling a G.L.O.S.S.-shaped hole in our hearts, and uniting the star power of Shirley Manson, Frank Iero, Full of Hell and more.
Playing: New Friends Fest (Toronto, ON, August 4–6)
Meet Me @ the Altar
For a dose of Warped Tour energy without all the controversy, check out pop-punk revivalists Meet Me @ the Altar's high-energy live show, and be sure to watch those elbows when you're push-moshing to "Say It (To My Face)."
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16)
Shania Twain
Yee-fuckin'-haw, y'all. The Queen (of Me) is back. Having regained her voice — literally and figuratively — on her latest album, the Ontario-born leading lady of country is sneaking in a headlining Canadian festival performance amid her continent-spanning tour plans.
Playing: RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16)
Meet Me @ the Altar photo: Stephen McGillAlex Hudson, Editor-in-Chief
Alvvays
What makes Alvvays such a special live band is their almost supernatural ability to recreate their album arrangements on stage. In particular, Molly Rankin's voice is spot-on every time.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16)
Feist
Feist's immersive Multitudes performance was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, so I'm excited to see how that multimedia experience translates into a more traditional festival setting.
Playing: Ottawa Jazz Festival (Ottawa, ON, June 23–30), Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), Mariposa Folk Festival (Orillia, ON, July 7–9), Halifax Jazz Festival (Halifax, NS, July 11–16), Riverfest Elora (Elora, ON, August 18–20)
JPEGMAFIA
Peggy's Danny Brown collaboration SCARING THE HOES is a wild, weird and noisy masterpiece. Danny isn't scheduled to be there, but JPEGMAFIA remains a must-see.
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
Lil Yachty
The rapper's psych-rock reinvention on this year's Let's Start Here. was as unexpected as it was excellent. He worships at the altar of Pink Floyd without losing his own style.
Playing: Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
The Weather Station
Ignorance was one of my favourite albums from the deepest, darkest depths of the pandemic, so I'm excited to finally catch Tamara Lindeman touring behind it.
Playing: Festival International de Jazz de Montreal (Montreal, QC, June 29–July 8), Mariposa Folk Festival (Orillia, ON, July 7–9), Calgary Folk Music Festival (Calgary, AB, July 27–30), Regina Folk Festival (Regina, SK, August 11–13)
Alvvays photo: Chris GeeBen Okazawa, Staff Writer
Arkells
You can't go wrong with catching a set from seasoned performers like Arkells, who have experience lighting up big outdoor venues from shows at Budweiser Stage and festivals.
Playing: CityFolk Festival (Ottawa, ON, September 13–17)
Ashanti
Even though Ashanti hasn't released an album in nearly a decade, hearing "Foolish," "Baby" and "Always on Time" live will inspire the nostalgia to make her a must-watch for any 2000s R&B head.
Playing: TD Toronto Jazz Festival (Toronto, ON, June 23–July 2), Rock the Park Music Festival (London, ON, July 12–15)
Maggie Rogers
A pure artist of Rogers's ilk is a no-brainer to catch live, especially after the strength of her latest offering, Surrender.
Playing: Sommo Festival (Cavendish, PE, July 14–15)
Pitbull
BYOBC (bring your own bald cap) to shred your vocal chords screaming along to any one of Mr. Worldwide's earworm pop hits.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16)
Vivek Shraya
Shraya's debut album, Baby, You're Projecting, is filled to the brim with pop cuts that will make you want to dance — and if the music doesn't, her boundless confidence on stage will.
Playing: Hillside Festival (Guelph, ON, July 28–30)
Arkells photo: Matt ForsytheCalum Slingerland, Print Magazine Editor
Maya Jane Coles
Having followed Coles since before the "Truffle Butter" sample, I reckon heading to British Columbia's interior for her transcendent mixing to take hold is the only way to go deeper.
Playing: Shambhala Music Festival (West Kootenay, BC, July 20–24)
Dominique Fils-Aimé
Having caught ears from coast to coast with her award-winning trilogy of albums, expect Fils-Aimé to bring new material to festivals this summer before Our Roots Run Deep arrives this September.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), River & Sky, Calgary Folk Music Festival (Calgary, AB, July 27–30), Edge of the World Music Festival (Haida Gwaii, BC, August 11–13)
Shaggy
I'm always ready to hold down any friend picking "It Wasn't Me" at karaoke by singing Rik Rok's hook. What better summer plans than to head west and try to land a spot onstage with Mr. Boombastic himself?
Playing: Laketown Shakedown (Cowichan Valley, BC, June 30–July 2), Cowboys Music Festival (Calgary, AB, July 6–16), TD Halifax Jazz Festival (Halifax, NS, July 11—16)
The Smile
Between rave reviews from those who caught their prior North American shows and news that they've been at work on new music, I fully expect the Smile to leave me grinning ear to ear.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa, ON, July 6–16)
The Sun Ra Arkestra
The wealthy rocket men blasting into space are fools, as with the legendary Arkestra's Canadian tour, interplanetary travel is both cost-effective and steps away from my door this summer.
Playing: Suoni Per Il Popolo (Montreal, QC, June 1–23), TONE Festival (Toronto, ON, June 2–28), EVERYSEEKER (Halifax, NS, June 14–18), Sled Island Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB, June 21–25), Ottawa Jazz Festival (Ottawa, ON, June 23–30), Vancouver International Jazz Festival (Vancouver, BC, June 23–July 2)
The Smile photo: Stephen McGillMegan LaPierre, Associate Online Editor
The Beaches
The relentlessly on-the-road Toronto quartet know how to put on a rock show. They'll safely be in top form this festival season to satisfy every bit of leftover teen angst with new, slacker energy-infused tunes ahead of their first independent album.
Playing: Norfolk County Fairgrounds Festival (Simcoe, ON, June 9–10), SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival (Saskatoon, SK, June 30–July 9), AREA 506 (Saint John, NB, August 4–6)
Dizzy
The crown jewel of Oshawa, Dizzy crest with an unassuming power. Even if you don't count yourself among the deeply-connected fanbase they've cultivated, there's no resisting the lush pop dreamscapes of their emotionally blistering coming-of-age anthems.
Playing: Springtide Music Festival (Uxbridge, ON, June 9–11), POP Montreal (September 27–October 1)
DEBBY FRIDAY
With debut album GOOD LUCK serving as an electrifying journey through the multiverse of genre and self-discovery in equal measure, I would definitely be most fortunate to catch the Nigerian-Canadian explode a festival stage with her enthralling, mercurial energy.
Playing: Festival d'été de Quebec (Quebec City, QC, July 6–16), Hillside Festival (Guelph, ON, July 28–30)
Carly Rae Jepsen
Live and die by the inscription in the sword: thou shalt not ever miss an opportunity to be taken to emotion; to go all the way. The jubilant, life-affirming ecstasy of a CRJ set is, without fail, a taste of pure euphoria.
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
Kendrick Lamar
Even the furthest removed from hip-hop culture would probably co-sign this humble suggestion to see a Pulitzer Prize-winning, all-time great close out Osheaga under the stars.
Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal, QC, August 4–6)
Kendrick Lamar photo: Geoff Fitzgerald