There are music festivals, and then… There’s the OSHEAGA Music and Arts Festival.
A staple of the Canadian music scene, OSHEAGA is one of the Great White North’s premiere music festivals; a three-day party at Parc Jean-Drapeau on Montreal’s picturesque Ile Sainte-Helene that just last year welcomed over three hundred thousand attendees in one weekend. Taking place from August 2nd to 4th, this year’s edition features an incredible lineup of artists that includes Romy, Chappell Roan, Gryffin, Justice, SZA, and more.
We’re stoked to bring exclusive OSHEAGA coverage to Nexus Radio, including interviews with some of the industry’s biggest artists and reviews of what we’re sure will be unforgettable performances. In anticipation of OSHEAGA 2024, we’re looking back at the festival’s history and some of its most memorable moments.
OSHEAGA: A Brief History
Founded in 2006 by Nick Farkas and Nick Rodrique, OSHEAGA began as a modest arts and music festival with the goal of uniting music lovers from around the globe. Taking its name from the Iroquoian word meaning “people of shaking hands”, OSHEAGA has quickly established itself as one of the premiere cultural events on the Canadian music scene, drawing in crowds in the hundreds of thousands from across the expansive country.
The inaugural edition of OSHEAGA featured performances from Sonic Youth and Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, while the subsequent years have featured The Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers, Coldplay, and Eminem, to name a few. With an increasingly genre-diverse lineup that includes everything from techno to indie folk, OSHEAGA offers something for every kind of music lover. This is especially true for those partial to dance and electronic music—just last year, OSHEAGA welcomed an impressive dance lineup that included Rufus Du Sol, Bicep, Sofi Tukker, and Fred Again as headliners.
In addition to its music offerings, another highlight of OSHEAGA is its lineup of local and internationally renowned artists, many of whom create exclusive installations and collections for the festival. If you’re planning on attending, make sure to check out one of the many murals being exhibited.
What’s In Store for 2024
This year’s edition of OSHEAGA promises memorable moments and a great time, with a stacked lineup that includes SZA, Melanie Martinez, Hozier, Green Day, Chappell Roan, Noah Kahan, Gryffin, Bladee, Mochakk, Justice and Jungle. The festival also includes some incredible after-parties in signature venues across the city as part of its after-hours series OSHEAGA After, with performances from Sofia Kourtesis, Confidence Man, Kaskade, and Soul Clap.
A Few Details
Thinking of attending OSHEAGA 2024? Here’s some useful info to have on hand:
- Transportation: Luckily, getting to and around OSHEAGA is a breeze. There are tons of options for finding your way to Parc Jean-Drapeau, including attendee-exclusive public transit passes and accessible bike routes. The closest metro stop is less than a 10-minute walk from the festival grounds.
- Hours: OSHEAGA’s main program runs from 1 to 11 P.M., with additional after-hours programming at Montreal’s most celebrated live music venues and clubs as part of Apres OSHEAGA afterparty series.
- Tickets: Tickets are still available for the 2024 edition, with weekend passes starting at $395 CAD. Single-day passes start at $165, and there are some great VIP options that include perks like skip-the-line privileges, access to the mainstage’sfront pit viewing area, and complimentary brunch.
We’re so excited to be bringing you a closer look at OSHEAGA 2024! Make sure to follow us @nexusradiodance for more in-depth coverage of dance music’s best festivals, as well as news and exclusive interviews with the biggest names in the industry.
