From a band that seems so effortlessly cool, one might expect a certain degree of aloofness from the members of Boston-based dream rock project Roy Juno. Seated around a plastic table in a dusty canvas tent, however, all four members were positively glowing with pride following their Aug. 2 performance[Read More…]
Tag: osheaga
In the kitchen, and on stage, with Munya
Osheaga 2019 saw no shortage of exciting acts from around the world, so Québécoise singer Josie Boivin, better known by her moniker Munya, found herself at home at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Hailing from Saguenay, Quebec, Boivin trained professionally in opera, and then briefly in jazz voice at the Université de Montréal[Read More…]
Overlooked at Osheaga: Four acts you shouldn’t miss
With big acts such as Tame Impala and Kaytranada gracing the Osheaga main stages, it is easy to overlook the lesser-known artists who are playing the afternoon slots. All the while, this year’s lineup boasts a breadth of up-and-coming artists covering diverse genres and styles, and it would be remiss[Read More…]
How Osheaga fell prey to gentrification
Pulling big names like Arctic Monkeys, Florence + the Machine, ODESZA, Travis Scott and Tyler, the Creator for their 2018 edition, it’s cliché (but pretty much obligatory) to say that this is not the hippie-driven, muddy-camping festival envisioned by Woodstock’s creators. Since transferring ownership to Evenko for its fifth edition[Read More…]
South African musician takes centre stage: St. Lucia on fame and the beauty of pop music
If you are drawn to synth-pop beats, reminiscent of 80s music, your ears would have perked up as St. Lucia kicked off their set at Osheaga. In the sweltering afternoon heat, frontman Jean-Phillip Grobler emerged on Osheaga’s Green Stage, situated at the end of a large dusty field overlooking downtown[Read More…]
Playing it cool: A conversation with Best Coast at Osheaga
Best Coast, a band made up of the striking odd-couple Bobb Bruno and Bethany Cosentino, rose to prominence with their 2010 debut album Crazy For You. Crazy for You is a collection of odes to chilling, smoking, falling in love, and becoming very confused. Their third and latest studio album, California[Read More…]
Osheaga all-Canada round-up
Half Moon Run (Montreal) Indie rockers Half Moon Run struck it big this year with a third row mention on the Osheaga lineup poster. The band’s biggest performance challenge will be proving that they are not Walk The Moon. Grimes (Montreal) Ex-McGill student Claire Boucher is returning to the Osheaga[Read More…]
Seoul steps out of the shadows
For any up-and-coming band, the first festival performance is a big deal—it solidifies their role in the music world and confirms that the effort they put into their music is worth it. This experience was no different for Montreal-based band Seoul, who cheerfully reiterated during their performance that playing at[Read More…]
Afie Jurvanen (Bahamas) talks indie music and the perplexity of the Canadian music scene
At Osheaga, the sunny grounds were filled with a dazzling array of musical talents from a multitude of different sounds. Out of these, the easygoing and dreamy indie sound of Afie Jurvanen—the Toronto-native behind the stage name Bahamas—could be easily picked out. His newest album Bahamas is Afie (2014), is[Read More…]
CRi looks at the present and the past
Montreal-based duo CRi just passed another milestone for local artists: Performing at Osheaga. Comprised of Christophe Dubé and Ourielle Auvé (during live performances), the electronica group formed in 2013. Their sound is reminiscent of early James Blake, with clipped audio samples looping over synth beats and droning organs. There’s an[Read More…]