Osheaga Festival Musique Et Arts
When: Friday, August 3rd until Sunday, August 5th, 2018
Where: Parc Jean - Drapeau, Montreal, QC.
Why you should go:
Osheaga can be declared as the best and most reliable festival in Canada every summer. This Montreal festival has been one of the leaders of bringing forward thinking lineups to Canada for years, as they always somehow book acts that get music aficionados all nodding in unison. The promoters almost always go out of their way to book a mix of big acts, up and coming artists, and a splash of underground names that have a good chance of becoming a part of the next big wave a few years down the road. This year's lineup offers a lot of familiar names like the always popular Odesza, Chromeo, San Holo, A-Trak, REZZ, and more. Osheaga is an excellent well-run festival that caters to the music lover in all of us.
Veld Music Festival
When: Saturday, August 4th until Sunday, August 5th, 2018
Where: Downsview Park, 1-35 Carl Hall Road, Toronto, ON, M3K 2B6
Why you should go:
In a few short years Veld has grown from a fresh on the scene festival to one of the largest in Canada. Set at Downsview Park north of the downtown centre, Veld again combines hip hop and EDM for their 2-day mega festival. This year's lineup has brought in the big names like DJ Snake, Marshmello, and Martin Garrix on the mainstage while the rest of the lineup is filled with well-known festival artists like Jauz, Markus Schulz, Aly & Fila, Loud Luxury, REZZ, and Seven Lions. Make sure to check out last year's festival recap, it's a must-see.
Chasing Summer Music Festival
When: Saturday, August 4th until Sunday, August 5th, 2018
Where: Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds, 1001 Barlow Trail SE, Calgary, AB.
Why you should go:
Alberta's largest electronic dance music festival returns to the Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds with huge headliners like DJ Snake, Martin Garrix, Kaskade, and Dillon Francis. RL Grime will bring the heavy trap while French future house producer Malaa will be giving those heavy house beats. The rest of the lineup is a mix of new and old with a special shout out to up and comers Brohug, and Whipped Cream. Don't sleep on Cash Cash as they dazzled at Contact Festival last December.
ÎLESONIQ Music Festival
When: From Friday, August 10th until Saturday, August 11th, 2018
Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau, 1 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, QC, H3C 1A9
Why you should go:
The ÎLESONIQ music festival is the only electronic music exclusive festival in Montreal as the organizers take great care to put together a mix of artistic talent that spans multiple genres for fans over 3 stages. The festival has well laid out stages, designated chill out areas, lots of food options, and a fantastic VIP area. Once you're on the festival grounds at the scenic Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal fades away among the trees as you delve into the ÎLESONIQ experience. A few exciting names added to the lineup that stand out from the rest includes Diplo, Steve Angello, Droeloe, Ganja White Night, the legend Paul Oakenfold, new comer Spencer Brown, and of course one of the best DJs in the world: Laidback Luke. ÎLESONIQ is set for another huge festival success.
Shambhala Music Festival
When: From Friday, August 10th until Monday, August 13th, 2018
Where: Salmo River Ranch, Salmo, B.C.
Why you should go:
Shambhala has a unique vibe with specially made stages that hosts some of the biggest names in bass/house music. It is a special festival that has carefully crafted their experience throughout the years with their unique stages, their vibe that has generated a legion of loyal fans. This year's lineup offers a more variety with the likes of Justin Martin, DC Breaks B2B Loadstar, Malaa, The Glitch Mob (DJ Set), REZZ, Stooki Sounds, and the talented Mr. Carmack. Shambhala isn't simply a festival, it's a full spectrum experience.
Cumberland WILD
When: Saturday, August 18th until Monday, August 20th, 2018
Where: Cumberland Village Park, 2815 Dunsmuir Avenue, Cumberland, B.C.
Why you should go:
From the creators of the Atmosphere Gathering, they invite you to their festival concept called Cumberland WILD 2018. They promote as a mix of live bands and electronic acts combined with forest camping and silent disco. Names like Calgary's Defunk and B.C's Moontricks will be leading Cumberland's first lineup.
Motion Notion Festival
When: From Thursday, August 23rd until Monday, August 27th, 2018
Where: Beaverfoot Lodge & Resort, 4220 Beaverfoot Road, Golden, B.C. (2.5 hours drive from Calgary, 8 hours from Vancouver)
Why you should go:
Motion Notion came under new ownership last year and brought together it's most ambitious lineup in its festival history. The festival is one among many in this region that sports a beautiful combination of nature and music. As we await its 2018 lineup, Motion Notion left an impression with fans in 2017 that I hope will continue this summer.
Electric Island
When: Sunday, September 2nd until Monday, September 3rd, 2018
Where: Hanlan's Point Stadium, Toronto Islands, Toronto, ON
Why you should go:
Electric Island is a summer event series that has been hosting the best of the underground scene at the Toronto Islands for the past few years. Almost anyone and everyone worthy of the Resident Advisor Top 100 Artist list has graced the Electric Island stage at some point along with the best artists within the Toronto scene. The September lineup has yet to be released but I'm sure it will deliver, as it almost always does.