Fred again.., Kim Petras, Soccer Mommy, The Flaming Lips, Carly Rae Jepsen, Baby Keem: there will be something for everyone at 16e Osheaga Festival, from August 4 to 6. Dozens of names thus complete the programming, which already included the headliners previously announced, namely Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, RÜFÜS DU SOL, The National and Aya Nakamura.
Again this year, Osheaga offers nearly a hundred concerts by artists of eclectic styles, representing a diversity of musical genres and origins. Festival guests come from hip-hop or indie rock, afro pop or electro, disco or synth pop. Among them, some big names in the current music scene, such as Lil Yatchy, Fred again…, Central Cee, Japanese Breakfast or Kim Petras. Others, like The National or The Flaming Lips (who will perform the repertoire of their 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots), veterans accustomed to frequently stopping here, will return to meet the Montreal public.
Hip-hop keeps a large place at the festival. Rather than a day where most rap artists are gathered, we have scattered their names over the three days of the festival. Thus, Aya Nakamura and Joey Badas$$ will perform on Friday, Baby Keen, Lil Yachty and 070 Shake will be on stage on Saturday, while Kendrick Lamar, Osheaga’s biggest acquisition this year, will close the festivities on Sunday.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Kendrick Lamar during the 2015 edition of Osheaga
Indie pop rock, “which is part of the identity of the festival”, according to Camille Guitton, one of the chief programmers for Osheaga, is also in the spotlight.
We are anchored in this scene and we continue to be with artists of the new generation. With Soccer Mommy or Japanese Breakfast, we see that the genre is led by women.
Camille Guitton, co-head programmer for Osheaga
It is also “important for Osheaga to put women forward”, with Billie Eilish, Kim Petras (for her second presence in Montreal) or Aya Nakamura, in particular, says Camille Guitton.
IMAGE PROVIDED BY OSHEAGA
Poster of the 16e Osheaga-Festival
The festival seeks to open its musical borders – we note the presence of the king of afro pop, Rema, originally from Nigeria, the Japanese artist Rina Sawayama, as well as Bomba Estéreo, a Colombian band which has accumulated almost a billion plays on Spotify for his song Ojitos Lindoswith Bad Bunny.
The Quebec touch remains: Alicia Moffet, Sarahmée, Mindflip, Jonathan Roy and many others will represent the province and its music from August 4 to 6.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Quebecer Alicia Moffet
Completing a program in 2023
“There is no magic recipe. Each year, we start from scratch, we wonder what the trends are, which artists stand out, which ones are making a comeback, ”says Camille Guitton, in an interview with The Press.
One thing remains constant: the imperative to find headliners early. The presence of Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and RÜFÜS DU SOL was announced last fall, after several months of work. The team of six programmers then continued to work on the rest of their programming until… a few days ago. “It ended this week,” says Camille Guitton, a laugh in her voice.
It’s not uncommon for final programming details to be ironed out just before the unveiling. But this year is special. Current circumstances have put some obstacles in the way for the Osheaga team.
It’s been a fairly difficult year in terms of programming, due to specific issues: costs have increased, we’re in Canadian dollars and the exchange rate makes it complicated for us. So it may take more negotiation time to convince the artists.
Camille Guitton, co-head programmer for Osheaga
The Montreal festival, the largest of its kind in Canada, can count on its good reputation, she observes. And if the COVID-19 made the holding of events like Osheaga and the tours more complicated, “we came out of it stronger”, adds the programmer. “The dialogues are more open with the teams of artists. Agents have been there too. There are still major challenges, but I think there are more [bienveillance]. »
Some changes are to be expected for this 16e Osheaga festival. The City of Montreal having redesigned certain areas of Parc Jean-Drapeau, there will be one less stage. The Trees stage, “a playground for programmers”, who programmed emerging and local artists there, will not be there this year. “It’s also our role to constantly adapt to new challenges that arise and this year again we rolled up our sleeves to offer strong artists from 2 p.m. As always, our team will be able to highlight this site that we love and which is an integral part of the festival’s DNA,” says Camille Guitton.
Another difference to note: the Osheaga poster is unlike any previous one. “The artistic direction has changed, we want to put festival-goers forward by creating characters on the poster, says the programmer. We want to send the message that in Osheaga, you can show your colors. We are a fun place, a safe space. These values are found in the programming itself, she believes. “As much in terms of music as of origin or sexual orientation,” says Camille Guitton. It’s super important to us. We always want to open our borders, while remaining true to who we are. »
Day tickets for the Osheaga Festival go on sale March 11. Passes for the three days are already on sale.
Camille Guitton’s favorites to discover
- Rema- calm down
The new leader of global afrobeat - Saint Levant – From Gaza, With Love
An artist who symbolizes modernity through his musical influences and his multiculturalism - Gabriels- If You Only Know
A voice, chills: the new soul that will soon be on everyone’s lips - Kim Petras- Unholy (with Sam Smith)
The new modern pop icon - Bomba Estereo – Ojitos Lindos (with Bad Bunny)
Colombia conquering the world
The essentials of our journalist
- Kendrick Lamar- N95
Some thought the undisputed king of modern rap wouldn’t stop in Montreal on his tour. This presence in Osheaga is the occasion or never to see his genius on stage. - SOIL RÜFÜS – On My Knees
The Australian electronic music duo, which fans of the genre adore, promises a wild evening in Osheaga. - Aya Nakamura – Gift (with Tiakola)
A Franco R&B icon of modern times, the French artist promises to stir up many festival-goers, given his growing popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. - Billie Eilish- Happy Than Ever
The young artist, darling of her generation and regular in Montreal, is already returning to town, after a visit to the Bell Center which was canceled last year and an electrifying presence at Place Bell in 2019. - Fred again… Delilah (Me out of This sweater)
The British producer and DJ is not only a staple of the Osheaga festival, but also a staple of modern electronic music.