Full Escapade lineup including Tiesto, Alan Walker, Crankdat, Hi-Lo, Illenium, Fisher, Slander + More!

Escapade, one of the top tier festivals in Canada, will take place in Ottawa from June 26th to the 28th, 2026. This year’s lineup is packed with a variety of top headliners like Tiesto, Illenium, Fisher, while trance fans will be pleased with Cosmic Gate, bass fans with Crankdat, and more.

There’s a lot to be chew at with this lineup as it exhibits a depth of talent rarely seen in other festivals as of late which will make you want to get there as the gates open as you don’t want to miss what’s coming up next.

From old but still relevant names like Nicky Romero to new upcoming talent like Knock2, Escapade will have something for everyone. Escapade is always a fan favourite and the 2026 edition is expected to delight fans with such a robust lineup.

For ticket details, click here.

No Looking Back: How FVDED 2026 Signals a New Era for Blueprint

By Ryan Hayes

A Festival Leaning Into Momentum

After returning for two years, FVDED’s 2026 lineup feels less like a course correction designed to secure the festival’s future and more like a confident affirmation of what it was always meant to be. In hindsight, the signs were already there—2025 began nudging in this direction—but the progress was necessarily incremental after a dazzling, mainstream-heavy 2024. With 2026, Blueprint finally puts all its cards on the table.

“Fisher and Dom Dolla are, by far, the safest and most bankable bets on the poster”

— Ryan Hayes

Next year’s lineup is built around momentum—dominated by artists actively shaping the current moment rather than living off past peaks. Blueprint’s booking philosophy is clear: the dance floor comes first, and artists with viral, grassroots-grown fandoms eclipse the importance of traditional commercial success. 2026 is unapologetically tuned to what’s moving diehard EDM fans right now—the kind who book flights for thoughtfully curated events. It’s a reaffirmation that Blueprint is once again dialed in to where EDM’s true fanbase has always lived—on the outskirts of mainstream culture.

The lineup marks a shift back towards Blueprint’s historic highs, when their bookings were consistently ahead of the curve instead of chasing it. It’s a clear message to the public: FVDED is now established enough, after a two-year rebirth, that it no longer needs to pander to commercial legacy. To some, 2026 may read as a year with less obvious star power—but it’s one of the most accurate reflections of the current scene the festival has presented in at least a decade. You may not recognize every name on the poster yet, but trust FVDED. Trust Blueprint. Buy tickets. Explore the breadth of the roster. Prepare over the six months leading into the weekend. This lineup is it.

The Headliners: A Statement of Intent

While Fisher and Dom Dolla are, by far, the safest and most bankable bets on the poster—and that’s not a criticism—their combined 22.7M monthly Spotify listeners stand in sharp contrast to last year’s top two billings, which totaled 50.2M, more than double the global reach. That said, Fisher and Dom are perfect representations of modern house at its most accessible, recognizable, and festival-ready. They may cast a narrower net than past headliners, but their fanbases are more active—and far more likely to show up. A higher level of commercial recognition no longer guarantees higher ticket sales, just as radio hits no longer make or break an artist. The landscape has shifted, and these headliners reflect that shift—the next generation of headliners will ensure FVDED remains commercially viable without feeling regressive.

FVDED’s new philosophy continues with Mau P, Knock2, and Disco Lines—all artists who have risen to prominence in the 2020s. Whether it’s Mau P’s groove, Knock2’s chaotic, bass-driven enthusiasm, or Disco Lines’ unforgettable hooks, these bookings point directly to where younger audiences are gravitating. They represent true crossover—digital discovery that translates seamlessly into physical turnout—and it’s exactly what modern festivals need to survive.

“Big shoutout to Nia Archives, who—until FVDED’s lineup dropped—had eluded my knowledge but now stands out as a particularly bold booking.”

— Ryan Hayes

Then there’s GRiZ—a personal favourite and perhaps the biggest headliner gamble. It may be a stretch, but for a loyal group of diehards, he’s the emotional anchor of the entire lineup. Returning after a two-year hiatus, his presence carries a surprising amount of weight. There’s been a clear push to reintroduce him to the scene, acting as a soft rebrand that positions him as a universal headliner. With releases dating back fifteen years—longer than anyone else on the 2026 roster—he now occupies the legacy slot. But that stature is new for GRiZ, and he bends the norms of a classic golden-age headliner. Sonically, he blends bass music with soul, funk, and genuine charismatic warmth. He brings heart, and a deeply dedicated fanbase. He may not carry the same sway as names that have historically topped a FVDED poster, but he has the talent—and you’ll undoubtedly walk away a fan.

The New Wave: What the Rest of the Lineup Says

Beyond the headliners is where FVDED 2026 truly comes into focus. The depth of the lineup is proof of a mission statement rooted in cultural relevance, and this is where Blueprint’s future-thinking approach crystalizes.

Artists like Marlon Hoffstadt, Odd Mob, OMNOM, Notion, & Linska represent the festival’s bracket of rising house and techno stars—the talent is global, the soundscape is diverse, and each artist has cut their teeth and proven they’re built to handle dense crowds at high-energy stages.

Nia Archives, Hedex, MPH, and Oppidan stand out as Blueprint’s deliberate embrace of UK-influenced bass and genre-bending artists. If you aren’t already familiar with their work, dive in and dig around—it will surely reward your curiosity. These bookings push beyond bland, North America–centric festival norms. Big shoutout to Nia Archives, who—until FVDED’s lineup dropped—had eluded my knowledge but now stands out as a particularly bold booking. She’s described her sound as a blend of chaotic, intense jungle with deep emotion; it didn’t exactly clear anything up for me, but it feels perfectly apt—and her vocals add a soulful layer to every production.

Levity B2B Wooli is a big swing and a calculated risk. The acts stand on the opposite ends of the bass music spectrum, and their set is sure to prove a collision of thick dubstep basslines, distorted growling drops, and melodic bass bounce. Purposeful chaos designed to accentuate the interplay between tension and euphoria.

TroyBoi stands out as a wildcard, having made his FVDED debut a decade ago in 2016. His style has continued to evolve, proving him to be an artist who refuses to be boxed in. He may be a legacy act at this point, but one content to operate on the fringe—constantly exploring sonic variation.

A Different Bet — FVDED vs the rest

When viewed alongside the only other major Canadian EDM festival to have fully announced its 2026 lineup—VELD—FVDED’s strategy stands in sharp contrast. VELD leans on proven star power and legacy bookings to cast the widest possible net—the standard festival formula. FVDED, by comparison, is making a more deliberate, future-facing bet on momentum, relevance, and fan trust—though it remains to be seen whether the broader festival-going audience is ready for that shift.

This isn’t a knock on VELD; it’s simply a different philosophy. Much like Shambhala, which routinely sells out without relying on top-heavy star power, FVDED is solidifying its boutique identity and betting that vibe, curation, and community loyalty matter more than instant name recognition. By prioritizing artists with active, invested fanbases and a lineup that rewards exploration, FVDED isn’t just protecting its legacy—it’s ensuring it evolves with the scene. VELD may be the more bankable play today, but FVDED’s 2026 is clearly attempting to build the kind of trust that can sustain a festival for the next decade.

What This Lineup Says About FVDED’s Future

Everyone talks about the “golden age” of EDM, but the fixation, propelled by aging fans missing the good old days, dilutes the current scene. FVDED 2026 isn’t chasing nostalgia, it’s staking a forward-facing claim that it understands where electronic music is going with the wide-eyed hope that the “golden age” lives.

Dominated by a diverse array of house, sprinkled with poignant bass acts, and amplified by UK and European club culture influences. This is a lineup designed for movement, for crowds that want to dance, not just film drops.

FVDED separates itself from the pack—not by playing it safe, but by betting on the future. This is a new wave of curation that returns Blueprint to its heights, and a clear signal of where the brand is headed next.

2026 isn’t about who was the biggest ten years ago—it’s about who matters right now.

And that’s a very good place for FVDED to be.

The Escapade Music Festival in Ottawa is almost sold out!

The Escapade Music Festival, which is set for June 21st to 23rd at the beautifully located Lansdowne Park, is almost sold out! With 93% of all of the tickets sold, there are only a few left and will for sure sell out by the time summer rolls around.

Escapade will be one of the most popular festivals on the EDM circuit and one can see why all of the hype is generated as the lineup represents a little for everyone. Whether you like bass, trance, house, or the biggest headlining acts, Escapade has it for you.

This year’s crop of artists include the legend Armin Van Buuren, Illenium, and includes a special Gouryella performance by Ferry Corsten, and the ever popular B2B with Tchami and Malaa. This is an EDM lovers festival as you are guaranteed to be electrified for all 3 days.

Don’t wait, get the last remaining tickets here.

FVDED IN THE PARK returns this year and the lineup is HUGE!

FVDED in the Park makes a huge comeback after taking some time off with a massive lineup which will no doubt get the EDM fans into a frenzy. Swedish House Mafia rarely ventures into the festival circuit so it’s a real treat that they’re coming to FVDED. KX5, which is a union between Deadmau5 and Kaskade, and they give their Vancouver festival debut.

Combine this with the likes of John Summit, who has been on an absolute tear in the last few years, and the likes of Chris Lake, Diplo, Zeds, Dead, Slander and more - I believe FVDED has done this lineup right with a renewed focus on EDM which will hopefully be recognized by the fans once it’s ready to buy tickets.

There are currently no tickets available but you can sign up for presale access here.

Get hyped for Alison Wonderland's Wonderverse happening this Friday

By Ryan Hayes

As 2020 comes to a close the majority of us are looking back at a year with little to no live entertainment memories.  With the pandemic continuing its relentless push forward the unfortunate reality is that 2021 will remain event free for quite some time. While the freeze on live events has meant the loss of a fundamental fragment of identity for many fans with deep roots within the music community, it has resulted in the complete loss of livelihood for many of our favorite artists and their teams. The fallout has been catastrophic for much of the music industry, and our support is more important than ever.

When artists stand up, and, through sheer force of will, creatively adapt to the wide array of obstacles they are currently facing; there is still space for them to present fans with unique experiences. As fans of an artist it is our job—if you are able—to jump on board and support the acts who are now trying to find new ways to reach out and appeal to their base. They have given us so many memories—it’s time to make some new virtual ones.    

Friday February 5th Alison Wonderland is stepping in to the WONDERVERSE for a one of the kind immersive experience. The event is set to take place in a “fantastical underworld forest,” and will be performed live, in real time, with Wonderland interacting with fans. The interactive show promises to be “filled with magic, awe-inspiring spells, and transformative visuals.” As a “one-of-a-kind immersive event where virtually anything can happen,” fans should expect the unexpected.

Perhaps most importantly Wonderland has promised a set riddled with new music, exclusive behind the scenes access, and the ability to interact directly with her throughout the event.

Wonderverse is being held in collaboration with Wave; a live and immersive media company that embraces technology to provide “interactive concert experience to help fans and artists more deeply connect with each other and express themselves in innovative ways.” Previously they have hosted events for The Weeknd, Rezz, Jauz, and Galantis.

Tickets to Wonderverse are $15 and the event runs from 6-9pm PST on February 5th.