FVDED 2026: Looking Beyond The Headliners - Four Essential Day One Sets

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Some festivals are built around the names at the top of the poster. FVDED has increasingly become something else entirely —a place where discovery and nostalgia coexist, where familiar favourites share space with artists on the verge of defining the next era of dance music. 2026 marks the beginning of FVDED’s confident new era, and there is no looking back.

As the festival returns to Holland Park for another summer, one thing feels certain: Blueprint continues to lean into curiosity. Beyond the marquee names lies a deep roster of artists shaping the current moment in dance music and hinting at where the culture is headed next. Unapologetically tuned to movement FVDED rewards those willing to arrive early, wander between stages, and trust the process.

Without further ado, these are the four artists we think deserve a spot on your day 1 schedule.

Champion

Champion

Having spent years at the forefront of the UK's underground dance scene, building a reputation around his unmistakable low-end basslines and rhythmic patterns, Champion easily lands at the top of our Day 1 recommendations. Moving effortlessly between House, UK-inspired Bass-Funk, and Grime influences, his productions are equal parts peak-energy weapons and a modern masterclass in communal groove. Champion's true distinguishing factor is his ability to push UK club music forward while remaining firmly rooted in the underground. Expect heavyweight bass, infectious rhythms, and a dancefloor that rarely stands still. Put Champion at the top of your Day 1 list.

Breakout Release: Lighter

On Repeat: Talk To Me

In his own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:

“Will be my first time ever in Vancouver & I’m so excited!
I’m coming with loads of new dubs for the set plus my collabs with
Sammy Virji, Interplanetary Criminal, Skrillex, Four Tet & more.
Expect high energy & loads of vibes!”
— Champion

Devault

DEVAULT

Right from the beginning DEVAULT has followed his own unique path. Looking back nearly a decade, many early fans first discovered him through his acclaimed remix of DJ Snake’s “A Different Way.” The remix plays as more of a reimagining shifting the emotional core of the original separating DEVAULT from the pack and highlighting his restraint as a producer to not simply chase drops. Since then, he has spent years refining his sound. Blending cinematic emotionally charged atmospheres, nostalgic synth work, and melodies with club-ready energy, DEVAULT’s set is required at viewing.

Breakout Release: A Different Way (DEVAULT Remix)

On Repeat: Feels Like Us


In his own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:

“My live set is where I get to bring my entire world to life. With a ton of new music on the way, this show will be one of the first chances to experience what’s next, alongside the records that got us here. If you’re looking to discover something new and be part of a moment before everyone else catches on, don’t miss it.”
— Devault

mph

MPH

Few UKG artists have generated as much momentum on the global stage as MPH. His sound effortlessly blends smooth grooves with high-energy bassline influences, resulting in tracks that are as infectious as they are energetic. Following sold-out tours across multiple continents and releases on many of the scene's most influential labels, MPH has firmly established himself as one of the scene’s most promising exports. If you want a glimpse of the mainstream future of UKG, MPH is one of the strongest bets on the entire lineup. The melodies are catchy, the grooves are undeniable, and his set should resonate with far more than just the UKG faithful.

Breakout Release: Control

On Repeat: Flex It

Layla Benitez

Layla Benitez

Layla Benitez's rise has been rapid, but she has been immersed in dance music her entire life. She possesses an unusually refined—almost classical—understanding of house music and what makes a dancefloor move. As her sets unfold, she builds atmosphere and maintains tension, forming an unspoken bond between the audience and her vision. Her sound is an amalgamation of indie dance, and melodic techno, combining 80s-inspired synth work, soulful basslines, and brooding undertones. The result is uniquely Layla. If you're looking to lose yourself in a journey rather than a drop, Layla Benitez is essential viewing.

Breakout Release: Fides

On Repeat: Broken Love

In her own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:

“This is my first time playing FVDED in the Park, so I’m really excited to bring my sound to Vancouver. It feels especially meaningful to do it in Canada since my mom is Canadian.

My sets are a reflection of where I’m at right now as an artist: melodic, emotional, a little darker, but still built for big dancefloor and festival moments.

More than anything, I’m excited to connect with the crowd and make the set feel like something people will really remember.
”
— Layla Benitez

FVDED 2026 is about more than just checking headliners off a list. It's about discovery, connection, and the moments you never saw coming. This year, give yourself permission to wander. Catch the artist whose name you've never heard, follow the crowd toward a stage you weren't planning to visit, and trust your curiosity. The future of dance music isn't found in a single set—it reveals itself across an entire weekend of unexpected moments. Whether you're there for the music, the community, or the collective escape that only festivals can provide, FVDED 2026 is an opportunity to experience something new. Your weekend, built one set at a time.

For more info on FVDED 2026 - including tickets - click here!

Soulrise Arrives: Anyma's Canadian Debut Is A Landmark Moment for Vancouver Dance Music

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By Ryan Hayes

Some events feel like another stop on a tour. Others feel like a statement.

Soulrise Music Festival’s inarguable outing falls firmly into the latter category.

On August 29, 2026 Soulrise is set to transform Ambleside Park in West Vancouver into an open-air celebration of melodic techno and immersive audio-visual storytelling. The vision is simple, pair Anyma, the figurehead of dance music's most significant of the moment movement, to a breathtaking seaside location. Add a talented roster of support…

Impeccable.

Why Soulrise Matters

Dance music is constantly evolving. The cultural cachet of both genres and artists within the fickle world of dance music ebb and flow with each festival season. But every so often an artist breaks through and emerges as an enduring symbol of a particular moment within the culture.

Right now, that artist is Anyma.

Leading the boom in melodic techno Anyma’s performances have evolved beyond DJ sets. They are experiences. A fusion of technology & storytelling interwoven into a tapestry of techno.

Soulrise matters because it marks Anyma's first-ever Canadian performance & only his thirteenth AEDEN showing. Outside of the Coachella premiere Soulrise is currently his only remaining 2026 show in all North American.

That’s impactful.

Fans are known to travel across borders to see his headline appearances. Entire vacations are planned around his shows. We have no doubt that Soulrise will be an international affair with attendees converging from across Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

The setting only amplifies the booking. As mountains begin to silhouette against the evening sky, and crisp air cuts the summer heat, Anyma will take the stage to a backdrop that is singular.

The Supporting Cast

While Anyma may be the gravitational center of the festival, the rest of the lineup showcases some of the most influential and fastest-rising names in melodic house and techno. ARGY and Kevin de Vries bring the powerful, cinematic sounds that have helped define the genre's modern era. Korolova has become one of the scene's breakout stars, earning a global following through uplifting, melodic productions and tracks like "Be Strong." Son of Son arrives with serious momentum, earning production credits on Anyma's "Voices In My Head" and contributing to several of ARGY's most celebrated releases. Their sound blends atmospheric textures, rich melodies, and driving grooves.

Bottom line…don't wait

Between Anyma's first Canadian appearance, the beautiful ocean side location, and the growing international attention surrounding the supporting artists, demand will be high.

Presale begins Monday, June 8 at 12:00 PM PT, with the general on-sale following on Tuesday, June 9 at 12:00 PM PT.

For Vancouver, Soulrise is a proof of concept. It signifies that the city can, and should, host globally significant dance music events aimed at attracting attention far beyond Canada's borders.

For fans, it's a chance to witness a defining artist, at a defining moment, in a setting that feels almost impossibly beautiful.

See you by the water.

to buy tickets, click here

Osheaga's Electronic Field Guide 2026

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By Ryan Hayes

For dance music fans with eclectic tastes and an ear for discovery, Osheaga is less than two months away and loaded with a genre-blurring lineup that stretches from bubbling Canadian talent to globally recognized superstars. Beyond the marquee names like Twenty-One Pilots, Tate McRae, and Lorde lies a deep roster of electronic acts and dance-adjacent artists that offer more than enough value to justify the price of admission. Whether you're chasing your next favourite artist or looking to step outside your comfort zone, Osheaga remains one of the best festivals in North America for musical exploration. Dive in with us and let the process of discovery begin. It is sure to be a weekend you won’t soon forget.

Day 1:

Amelie Lens lands at the top of our list to start your weekend off right. Recently she has become one of techno's defining figures, and it’s for good reason. Blending relentless energy with a hypnotic precision that blurs the line between trance she that keeps her audiences dialed in from start to finish—and we promise you will walk away a fan.

While not as commercial MPH represents the new generation of UK garage, delivering punchy basslines, infectious vocal hooks, and nonstop momentum. Currently his style of production is experiencing a massive resurgence across clubs and festivals worldwide. If you aren’t already familiar with his work, dive in and dig around—it will surely reward your curiosity. This booking pushes beyond bland, North America–centric festival norms and represents Osheaga’s holistic booking philosophy.

Canadian based Bob Moses occupy a unique space between indie & electronic music. Their live sets pair instrumentation with deep grooves and emotionally charged songwriting. Its authentic, infectious and personal while still perfectly attune to a festival stage.

Day 2:

For us KETTAMA tops day two. His sound is hard to pin-down but it fused old-school rave sensibilities with modern house and just a splash of techno. His diverse array of influences ensure his sets feel raw, euphoric, and unpredictable—perfectly capturing the spirit of today's underground explosion.

Odd Mob represents rising a new era of rapidly rising talent with a sound that is global & diverse. He has cut his teeth with a flurry of sets and proven he is built to handle dense crowds at high-energy stages.

It's Murph has quickly emerged as a festival favourite thanks to his blend of euphoric melodies, gritty basslines, and expansive soundscapes. Pulling from tech house, bass music, and melodic dance influences, his productions strike a sweet spot between emotional depth and crowd-moving energy, making him a perfect soundtrack for sunset sets and peak summer memories.

Day 3:

Subtronics reigns supreme on day 3. Hot off of setting attendance records for his sets at EDC Vegas & Coachella Subtronics is leading a bass music renaissance with a magnitude not felt in over a decade. His set promises to be an hour of absolute madness. The key ingredient is his ability to blend accessible mainstream anthems with thundering abrasive originals and VIPS, all chopped up and mixed at breakneck pace.

SG Lewis will shine as an accessible electronic act. He effortlessly blurs the line between electronic music and modern pop, weaving together house, disco, funk, and soulful R&B influences into a sound anchored in infectious grooves & lush synth work.

Bambii brings the focus back home. As a rising Canadian talent she has built a sound that pulls from dancehall, jungle, UK bass, & hip-hop. Expect a creative-vibrant, genre-defying set.

EDM Adjacent:

While not traditional electronic acts, The xx, Empire of the Sun, and Zara Larsson all share strong ties to dance music culture. From The xx's influential production style to Empire of the Sun's synth-driven anthems and Zara Larsson's dance-pop crossover hits, each offers dance music fans a familiar entry point beyond the genre's traditional boundaries.

At its core, Osheaga succeeds because it refuses to be confined by genre, making it a festival built for EDM fans with a wide breadth of musical sensibilities. Whether you're diving headfirst into techno with Amelie Lens, exploring the resurgence of UK garage through MPH, embracing the bass-fuelled chaos of Subtronics, or stumbling upon your next obsession somewhere deeper on the bill, the opportunities for discovery are endless. The headliners may sell the tickets, but it's the depth, diversity, and unexpected moments that will define the weekend. Come curious, stay open-minded, and let the music do the rest.

to buy tickets to Osheaga 2026 - click here!

Spring in Motion with Foundation Series—Disclosure Sets the Tone, Charlotte De Witte and Peggy Gou Finishes the Journey at Open Radius

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By Ryan Hayes

From the very beginning, Blueprint’s Foundation Series has thrived on a simple mission: earn trust, reward curiosity. The flagship house music platform has gradually guided fans toward the deep end, cultivating a welcoming, open-minded community around the genre. Year three of Open Radius, returning May 16-17th, now feels like the clearest expression of that philosophy. If Charlotte de Witte and Peggy Gou serve as the emotional anchors of the weekend, the rest of the lineup shows that confidence runs far deeper than two headliners.

With 22 artists across two days, Open Radius isn’t chasing excess—it’s refining a curated experience. The balance of pressure and play, tension and release, is perfectly executed, with headliners setting the tone and the wider lineup shaping the weekend’s journey.

Find out why Charlotte de Witte and Peggy Gou are a headliner masterstroke. To read my extensive piece of Charlotte De Witte and Peggy Gou’s impact at Foundation, click here.

Day One Preview Highlights:

Eli Brown stands out immediately. His industrial, high-octane techno sits perfectly in Charlotte’s world. With dark, driving basslines and the relentless pacing of tracks like Be The One and Diamonds On My Mind, he is the ideal primer for De Witte.

The energy continues with Layton Giordani, whose collaboration with Eli Brown, When I Push, is another techno masterclass—seamlessly anchoring the day’s soundscape.

Playing off Giordani’s more melodic, progressive edge, Salute brings a fast-moving, emotionally charged sense of euphoric energy to his headlining spot at the Propagate Stage. One of the most exciting bookings on the entire lineup, Salute deviates from the expected, delivering a unique flavor of UK garage, house, and festival-ready energy—it’s time to let a new artist sneak up on you, because his tempo and groove may end up defining your weekend.

Further down the bill, 49th & Main offer texture and variation, bringing a live-leaning, indie-dance crossover feel that adds a different emotional tone to day one. Their genre-fluid, atmospheric house acts as a palate cleanser from the heavier techno styling of the night.

Day Two Preview Highlights:

If day one’s programming largely leans into pressure, day two playfully opens things up. Prospa B2B Josh Baker is a groove forward pairing—two artists dialed into the modern global house movement with an ear for rhythm-first selections. Their collaboration represents a push and pull between classic rave sensibilities and minimal-house groove. Together the forgo the stereotypical rise and fall of mainstream acts favouring a steady, hypnotic climb that keeps crowds locked in a state of constant motion. A spot-on pairing for open duties leading in to Peggy’s infectious sense of joy.

Max Styler & Omar+ are set to sink everyone into the vibe, lift the energy, and get day two flowing. Styler’s recent run of groove-forward, tech-leaning house productions (Every Night, You & Me, & One More) have positioned him as one of the scenes most reliable crossover acts right now. Most importantly—he is undeniably effective in a festival setting. Omar+ is the tone-setter for the night crafting a steady rhythm empowered by nuance. Dail in with Back of the Club, Open Your Eyes, & Back It Up.

If you’re looking for a splash of Euro energy at a higher BPM MALUGI has you covered at the Propagate stage. Progressive, playful, and laden with hooks he brings just the right amount of mainstream energy while maintaining— well earned—underground club sensibilities.

This year Open Radius feels extremely intentional. The Propagate stage has taken a massive step forward in curation and artistry. There is no filler. Every artist has a role, and that is exactly what you want to see at a Foundation Series branded event.

Setting the Tone: Disclosure Returns

Before Open Radius even kicks off, Disclosure are bringing a DJ set to the PNE Forum on April 18th, alongside AYYBO and bushbaby. The duo needs little introduction, at this point their status proceeds them and this one is a guaranteed sell out.

Disclosure were a personal defining act of FVDED 2025—their set was effortless, groove-driven, and deeply communal. Their latest single, The Sun Comes Up Tremendous is a breath of fresh air in the dreary rainy months. Light, effervescent, and oozing warmth it feels destined for heavy summer rotation.

Show up early for AYYBO, a self-taught Tik-Tok era producer packing dark-driving tech house that he artfully infuses splashy playful hooks.

As a prelude to Open Radius, Disclosure feel perfectly at home, and it is surprising it has taken 13.5 outings to bring them into the Foundation fold.

Over three years in and Foundation Series is Blueprints most consistent brand. Built on mutual trust and a loyal fanbase of growing house fans it guides you in, then let you discover the rest. Disclosure & Open Radius are the perfect one two punch to get springtime moving.

to buy tickets to foundation ft. disclosure - click here
to buy foundation open radius ft. charlotte de witte and peggy gou - click here

Four Festivals, Four Philosophies — One Scene in Motion

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By Ryan Hayes

This year Canada’s tentpole festivals feel less like they are competing with one another and more like they’re running in tangent. FVDED in the Park, VELD, Escapade, and Ilesoniq may share similar audience pools and some artists, but they represent four distinct visions of what a successful dance music weekend should look like.

Who the Lineups Are For

FVDED stakes its claim on momentum. After two years of careful recalibration, Blueprint’s flagship event emphasizes artists actively shaping the current moment rather than relying on legacy or nostalgia. Yes, Fisher and Dom Dolla are bankable ‘mainstream’ acts, but the buck stops there. Most of their lineup relies on rising and mid-tier artists—Mau P, Knock2, Disco Lines, Marlon Hoffstadt, Odd Mob, MPH, Notion, and OMNOM—all signal a booking philosophy where active grassroots fandom outweighs past peaks. At first glance the lineup may appear lighter on star power to casual festivalgoers, but it’s one of the most accurate reflections of the current scene FVDED has presented in a decade.

Ilesoniq is Eastern Canada’s most ambitious festival experience as it attempts to straddle both momentum (like FVDED) and mass appeal (like VELD). There is a balance between polished mainstage acts and side quests meant to reward attendees who dig deep. Headliners like Above & Beyond, Chris Lake, Dom Dolla, Deadmau5, and Rezz provide large-scale credibility, and stage mastery, while supporting artists—AYYBO, Bullet Tooth, KLEED, LYNY, ¥ØUSUKE YUK1MATSU, Marco Strous, and Kattana —highlight the festival’s bet on discovery. It all comes together to ensure that every hour is full of sonic texture regardless of your stylistic preferences.

VELD leans heavily into scale and safety with a clear trance throughline that is backed by bass music. More than any other festival its 50-artist lineup emphasizes instant recognition, and a juxtaposition of emotional payoff and communal peaks. Headliners like Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren, Kx5, and Charlotte de Witte guarantee unifying progressive emotional spectacle, while bass-heavy acts like Subtronics, Slander, Illenium, Black Tiger Sex Machine, and Ray Volpe promise high-energy communal peaks. The message here is the most direct of the big four: comfort, familiarity, & marketability. A weekend of escapism.

Escapade is the only festival to stretch itself over a three-day period and because of that it operates on its own wavelength. A scattershot a maximal volume with a simple mission: touch every corner of under the EDM umbrella. Its sprawling roster of over 70 artists—including Tiësto, Illenium, Alan Walker, FISHER, GRiZ, Slander, Loud Luxury, and Svdden Death—cohesion is secondary; the focus is choice and grandiose spectacle.

Most Prominently Featured Genres & Overlaps

Across Ilesoniq, FVDED, VELD, and Escapade, house and tech-house emerge as the connective tissue of Canada’s 2026 festival circuit. Groove-forward mainstage acts like FISHER, Dom Dolla, and Chris Lake dominate, while crossover-friendly digestible festival house (Disco Lines, Mau P) and darker club-leaning variants (Odd Mob, OMNOM) round out the spectrum. Even festivals with strong bass or trance identities pad out their programming with four-on-the-floor accessibility.

The most shared artists across the four festivals are FISHER, Dom Dolla, Disco Lines, and Crankdat—underscoring a house music focus. Crankdat’s dominating presence is a bass-driven high-energy anomaly that suggests promoters see him as a bridge between house and heavier festival bass—a wildcard that could potentially unify diverse crowds. But with Crankdat’s bombastic sensibilities it may not pan out that way.

Regardless, in 2026 house isn’t just present—it’s foundational. In an ever-shifting fickle musical landscape house is the current king.

As far as direct comparisons go Escapade and VELD share the highest percentage of crossover. Sharing eight of the same artists—Illenium, Slander, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Frank Walker, Odd Mob, Disco Lines, Maddix, and Crankdat—the festivals reflect a shared focus on high-recognition, peak-energy festival acts.

Despite have two very different philosophies FVDED and VELD share the most interesting overlap. Here there are six crossover artists—FISHER, Disco Lines, Effin, Mau P, Levity, and Crankdat. Despite their differing booking styles—FVDED leaning momentum-driven and VELD leaning legacy-focused—the overlap reveals a shared belief in the dominance of current wave of house and bass artists.

Sonic DNA

  • FVDED: House-forward, with curated bass and UK/European club influences. Acts meant to push the boundaries of North American festival norms, asking audiences to trust curation. This festival will reward your curiosity. A boutique experience at its very best.

  • VELD: Has an emotional architecture built around trance & an influence throughout the genres full spectrum with bass serving as a secondary audience release. Yes, the lineup minimizes risk with reliable headliners, but the emotional core of Veld’s 2026 is bold—trance is timeless, its impact felt throughout EDM—but focusing on headliners with this level of classic resonance is a nuanced choice.

  • Escapade: Genre saturation reigns supreme in this three-day behemoth. Bass, golden era big-room, festival house, tech-house, techno, and a splash of trance. Cohesion is secondary; for Escapade variety is the spice of life.

  • Ilesoniq: House dominates main stages while bass stakes its own territory. The trick? Balancing globally recognized headliners with rising talent. The weekend feels seamless despite its genre breadth, and the payoff is cohesion, discovery, and spectacle in equal measure.

The Bottom Line: Four Paths, One Scene — No Wrong Answers

What 2026 makes clear is that Canada’s major EDM festivals are no longer fighting for the same identity. They’re more concerned refining their own legacies.

  • FVDED is doubling down on momentum, relevance, and cultural alignment. A festival for those either very involved in the scene or fans who trust curation over familiarity and believe the dancefloor should reflect what’s happening now, not five years ago.

  • Ilesoniq stands as the bridge between ambition and accessibility: scale, curation, and cohesion. Spectacle meets discovery in Eastern Canada’s most calculated and confident offering. It’s big enough to impress, but thoughtful enough to guide.

  • VELD remains the pillar of mass appeal and mainstream certainty. It delivers reliability and scale as a service to fans—trance-laced architecture, bass-fueled peaks, and the comfort of instant recognition.

  • Escapade embrace volume, breadth, and sheer spectacle to define its ethos. Choice over cohesion, abundance over restraint. Something for everyone, with the commercial names to back it all up.

Across all four festivals, Canadian EDM in 2026 doesn’t feel fractured—it feels diversified. House and tech-house anchor the entire circuit, acting as the connective tissue between cities and audiences. From boutique momentum to sprawling mainstream spectacle, there is no single strategy for success—and no wrong answer for fans deciding where to spend their summer. The scene isn’t shrinking or splintering. It’s evolving. Layered. Intentional. And in its current form, stronger than ever.