The Anglophone alternative music festival community just doesn’t give enough credit to those events held outside their sphere. To be fair, North America (QRO Festival Guide), U.K. (QRO Festival Guide), and Down Under (QRO Festival Guide) all have a ton of festivals – but one of the best, in any language, on any continent, is Osheaga, in Francophone Montreal.
Now with a fully established third day, Osheaga can go toe-to-toe with any festival out there – so come see why, Friday-Sunday, August 3rd to 5th:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3RD
| Riviére StageJustice, 9:35 PM – 10:45 PM
One of the biggest breakouts in the recent dance-rock craze has been France’s Justice (QRO photos at a festival), who followed up smash 2007 debut † with last fall’s Audio, Video, Disco, as well as expanding their live show (QRO photos), including at festivals (QRO photos at a festival). |
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| Florence & The Machine, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PMKnown for her yearning vocals and crooning howls (QRO photos), Florence & The Machine (QRO live review) have garnered the reputation of the world’s most renowned indie pop artists (QRO photos). However, their singles “Shake It Out” and “You’ve Got The Love” from last year’s Ceremonials (QRO review) are only a short glimpse of her haunting soundscape (QRO photos). |  |
| Franz Ferdinand, 5:50 PM – 6:40 PMPlaying the Riviére Stage Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (QRO review). The Scottish band broke out of their native Glasgow in 2005 with Franz Ferdinand and killer single “Take Me Out”, and even if their studio output since then hasn’t matched up, they’re still a great band live (QRO live review), and come to Osheaga while working on their fourth full-length. |  |
| Radio Radio, 4:15 PM – 5:00 PMThe electro hip hoppers leaped into the Canadian music consciousness with 2010 Polaris Prize short-listed Belmundo Regal, and fell right off the radar shortly thereafter. Lack of press coverage aside, they’ve been carving a massive fan base out of the continent with frantic touring and a new sound that encompasses everything from rap to blues. |  |
| fun., 2:45 PM – 3:30 PMOne of the most successful new pop/rock bands recently is New York’s fun. (QRO photos at a festival), who just scored a hit with Some Nights (QRO review) and an engaging (and yes, fun) live show (QRO live review).
Also: LP, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM |
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| Montagne StageSigur Rós, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Hands down, Sigur Rós (QRO live review) is one of the best bands to come out of the ‘90s. Few acts have emerged from that decade and been able to maintain even a career, let alone the longevity with grace and style that has been demonstrated by these boys from Iceland. Maybe that’s the big secret: they aren’t from America. Their music is the definition of beauty and brand new album Valtari (QRO review) was absolutely no exception. It’s their first in four years, and this rare Canadian show will surely give rise to fans that, in the intervening years, thought the band to be finished. With their share of some of the best and most affecting music of their time, and a live show fuelled by a newfound vigor, Sigur Ros is set to deliver one of the best performances of the festival. |
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| The Weeknd, 6:40 PM – 7:30 PMCheck out the latest highly hyped alt-hip-hop star, Canada’s own The Weeknd (QRO photos at a festival). |  |
| Amadou & Mariam, 5:00 PM – 5:50 PMIt may feel like ‘rich white guilt’ to think that modern music, like mankind itself, came out of Africa, as well as that those who cannot see have the best hearing in the world, but you can’t argue with Amadou & Mariam (QRO photos at a festival), the ‘blind couple from Mali.’ The pair met at the west African country’s Institute for the Young Blind over thirty-five ago, but only more recently has north caught on – opened for Coldplay on their Viva la Vida tour (QRO album review), and for Blur’s two Hyde Park reunion dates. |  |
| Down With Webster, 3:30 PM – 4:15 PMHailing from Canada, Down With Webster is one of the most abrasive rap-rock bands. Known for their slick runs and aggressive rock explosions, this six-piece band have already gained their fair share of fame from nominations in the Juno and Canadian Music Awards. Not too bad for starting as a project for a school talent show. |  |
| The Walkmen, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PMA ‘Brooklyn veteran’ by now, The Walkmen (QRO live review) have grown from their more soused early days (QRO photos – which included a front-to-back cover of John Lennon & Harry Nilsson’s drunken weekend Pussy Cats – QRO review) to a sadder, but more accomplished band (QRO photos at a festival) by 2008’s You & Me (QRO review). Their live show (QRO live review) has similarly evolved (QRO photos at a festival), if losing some of that early fun, but certainly gotten classier (QRO live review). But, even at festivals (QRO photos at a festival) or outdoors (QRO photos outdoors), they range nicely (QRO photos at a festival) from barstool rockers like oldies “The Rat” (QRO video) and “Thinking of a Dream I Had” (QRO video) plus the new “The Blue Route” (QRO video) to sadder pint glass-raisers like older “Another One Goes By” (QRO video) and “Louisiana” (QRO video) plus the newer “On the Water” (QRO video) from 2010’s classy Lisbon (QRO review), made on site in Portugal (QRO live review in Europe). And they return to Osheaga for the second time in three years (QRO photos at Osheaga ‘10), behind the new Heaven (QRO review) and single “We Can’t Be Beat” (QRO review) as they tour (QRO photos from the prior weekend) with Florence & The Machine (see above). |  |
| Charli XCX, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PMCharlotte Aitchison, under the moniker Charli XCX (QRO photos at a festival), is one of Britain’s most elusive dark pop songstresses. Already toured with Santigold (see below) and Coldplay (QRO album review), she has started to solidify her career as a pop songwriter to be reckoned with (QRO photos). She has recently released her EP, You’re the One, which includes a remix from the cacophonic OFWGKTA (QRO album review). |  |
| Verte StageMGMT, 8:45 PM – 10:00 PM
All of a sudden, Wesleyan University gave birth to a bunch of indie acts, but none blew up like MGMT (QRO live review). Songs like “Electric Eel” (QRO video) and “Time To Pretend” (QRO video) launched 2007’s Oracular Spectacular in the stratosphere. The follow-up was bound to bring them more back down to earth, and Congratulations (QRO review) is a classic over-ambitious sophomore release. But the two-man psych-rock band of Ben Goldwasser & Andrew Van Wyngarden is more than prepared to blow minds outdoors at Osheaga (QRO photos outdoors), like they did in 2008, as they tour in lead-up to the release of their new self-titled record. |
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| Classified, 7:15 PM – 8:00 PMTerms like “Canadian hip hop prodigy” don’t get thrown around often, and there’s a good reason why. That said, Classified has paid his dues over the last decade, cutting his teeth on tours with Nas, Snoop Dogg (see below), Nelly and The Game. Furthermore, he’s amassed a wheelbarrow full of Juno nominations and collaborated with artists as wide ranging as D-Sissive and Jim Cuddy. |  |
| Gary Clark Jr., 5:45 PM – 6:30 PMAustin’s Gary Clark Jr. (QRO photos at a festival in Austin) is the latest artist to be said to be ‘bringing blues back’ – when did it ever leave? And if it did, it’s surely come back many times since then (just look at Jack White – QRO album review)… |  |
| Of Monsters and Men, 4:20 PM – 5:00 PMThings have moved quite fast for Iceland’s the next-gen alt-folk collective Of Monsters and Men (QRO live review), on the back of killer single “Little Talks” (QRO video) and debut full-length My Head Is an Animal (QRO review). |  |
| Bombay Bicycle Club, 3:10 PM – 3:50 PMOne of a growing stable of ‘club’ bands (see Two Door Cinema Club – QRO album review – Tokyo Police Club – QRO spotlight on), Crouch End’s Bombay Bicycle Club (QRO photos) alt-folk/rock got hot early on with “Evening/Morning” and debut LP I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose in 2009, but have already followed it up with Flaws in 2010 and A Different Kind of Fix, whose deluxe edition (QRO review) came out earlier this year. |  |
| Poliça, 2:10 PM – 2:40 PMMinneapolis indie/electronic/R&B outfit Poliça have been getting serious attention recently (and not just for the ‘ç’…).
Also: Hey Ocean!, 1:10 PM – 1:40 PM |
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| Arbres StageLes Breastfeeders, 10:10 PM – 11:00 PM
Known for their vintage branded rock ‘n’ roll and their 60’s clad garb, this francophone band are wielding their rebellious flags with explosive energy. There is no word of recent releases, but Les Breastfeeders have been touring in support of their 2011 album, Dans La Gueule Des Jours. |
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| Half Moon Run, 8:50 PM – 9:35 PMMontreal’s young trio Half Moon Run play a pretty late spot for such a young band. |  |
| Wintersleep, 7:30 PM – 8:15 PMFresh off the presses, Wintersleep’s brand new record Hello Hum (QRO review) marks a reinvented return – albeit amid a new layer of electronic eccentricity – to the excellent form and sound of breakthrough record Welcome To The Night Sky. Although in-between-er New Inheritors (QRO review) had some serious standout tracks, that album lacked the cohesive quality that both Sky and Hello Hum hold. With the production union of Tony Doogan and Dave Fridmann (QRO photos at a festival), the band was able to channel their biggest sounding, most affecting sound to date. Look for their live show to do the same (QRO live review). |  |
| Atlas Sound, 6:15 PM – 6:55 PMBradford Cox of Deerhunter (QRO live review) was one of the busiest people in indie-rock in 2008, putting out not only two Deerhunter records, Microcastle (QRO review) & Weird Era Cont. (QRO review), but also his first solo record as Atlas Sound (QRO live review), Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (QRO review), with tracks like “River Card” (QRO video) & “Winter Vacation” (QRO video). While Deerhunter eased up a bit the following year, Atlas Sound kept going with Logos (QRO review) and last year with Parallax (QRO review), as well as touring (QRO photos from 2009), including festivals (QRO photos at a festival), where the expansive ambient rock of “Logos” (QRO video) can “take it to the fields” (QRO live review). |  |
| Dum Dum Girls, 5:05 PM – 5:40 PMOne of the multitude of bands that garage ‘it girl’ Frankie Rose played drums in before fronting her own band (QRO photos), the Dum Dum Girls (QRO photos at a festival) combine garage, girl-group, and New Wave for a sound (QRO photos) that does stand out from the pack (QRO photos) – especially live (QRO live review) & in costume (QRO photos), or on last year’s Only In Dreams (QRO review). |  |
| The Jezabels, 4:00 PM – 4:35 PMKnown for encompassing an eclectic amount of genres from disco pop to indie rock, this four piece band have already garnered much airplay in their hometown, Australia, as it appeals to many different audiences. They have already released their first album, Prisoner, which has gained much success and has peaked at #2 on Australian radio. Don’t expect anything any new material at the moment, as the band is currently busy touring due to festival season all across the globe (QRO photos at a festival). |  |
| Freelance Whales, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PMSeriously blowing up (QRO photos at a festival) are multi-instrumentalist alt-folksters Freelance Whales (QRO photos), whose packed shows (QRO photos outdoors) created real interest in debut Weathervanes (QRO review), and songs like “The Great Estates” (QRO video). |  |
| Also:Yukon Blonde, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM – QRO album review
Solids, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
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| Piknic Électronik StageConstruct & Harmsworth, 9:45 PM – 10:55 PM
Killer Mike, 9:00 PM – 9:45 PM Zeds Dead, 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM – QRO photos at a festival Birdy Nam Nam, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Huoratron, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM Mak 10 & Hyper MC, 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM Prison Garde, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM Funkyfalz, 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM |
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH
| Riviére StageSnoop Dogg, 9:15 PM – 10:45 PM
Do you really need to be introduced to Snoop Dogg (QRO photos at a festival)? Unless you’ve been living on that island from Lost with The Others for the past twenty-plus years, you’ve seen Snoop (QRO photos) from his part in Death Row Records’ West Coast rap ascendance (QRO photos on the West Coast) with “Gin and Juice” through his legal troubles and ‘less-than-amicable’ split from Death Row to today’s chart-topping success in hip-hop and mainstream, most recently with this year’s Doggumentary. His high profile and relatively laid-back, but charming, persona these days have also made him ubiquitous on screen, whether cameoing as himself in everything from Showtime’s Weeds to T-Mobile Sidekick ads, or guest-spotting as a rapper from Showtime’s L Word to ABC daytime soap One Life to Live (not to mention having his own reality show, Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood, and filling the quintessential pimp role as Huggy Bear in the big screen remake of Starsky & Hutch). But Snoop will be returning to rhyming when he’s on stage, as the latest hip-hop star to try to woo the indie-crowd, like he did two years ago at Osheaga (QRO photos at Osheaga ‘10), or just the weekend prior doing his seminal Doggy Style (QRO photos performing Doggy Style at a festival). |
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| Garbage, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PMAfter Butch Vig produced a little ol’ album called Nevermind, he went on to form Garbage, who broke out fast & in a huge way in the mid-nineties with hits like “Only Happy When It Rains”, “Queer”, “I Think I’m Paranoid”, and more. Fronted by frontwoman extraordinaire Shirley Manson, they went on to do theme songs for James Bond & Romeo + Juliet – and played the opening of the Scottish Parliament.
Unfortunately, label issues, health problems, and releasing an album right after 9/11 limited their twenty-first century success, and their hiatus seemed permanent, as Vig went back to producing (winning Grammys for the likes of Foo Fighters’ Wasting Light – QRO review) and Manson joined the cast of FOX’s Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles. But the group regrouped (and FOX cancelled Chronicles) in 2010, and are back this year with their self-released Not Your Kind of People (QRO review). |
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| Dumas, 5:25 PM – 6:15 PMQuébécois singer/songwriter Steve Dumas returns to Osheaga for his second time, now behind his new L’heure et l’endroit, which debuted at number eleven on the Canadian Albums Chart. |  |
| Plants and Animals, 3:45 PM – 4:35 PMMontreal-meets-Halifax Plants and Animals (QRO photos) are grounded in both alternative and classical, like so many of the high-minded acts from up there (and played Osheaga back in 2008). They also deliver, like with 2008’s Polaris- & Juno-nominated Parc Avenue (QRO review). |  |
| Portugal. The Man, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PMThis West Coast draws from far up its shore with Alaska’s Portugal. The Man (QRO photos at a festival). The rambling grunge outfit garnered new fans with 2007 sophomore release Church Mouth (QRO review), and its unhinged alt-rock (QRO live review), though slipped somewhat since then, even while finally playing Europe (QRO photos at a European festival) and becoming a festival favorite (QRO photos at a festival). Their latest, major label debut The Mountain In the Cloud (QRO review), is more psych-lite, but they still bring it live (QRO live review). |  |
| The Dø, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PMViva la EU! Finnish singer Olivia Merilahti teamed up with Paris’ own producer Dan Levy to form The Dø, and entered the French charts at number one with their debut, A Mouthful. And now the ‘D’ & the ‘Ø’ from the EU’s two Fs come to Francophone Montreal. |  |
| Montagne StageFeist, 8:15 PM – 9:15 PM
When Canadian indie broke out in the middle of last decade, no one broke out more so than Leslie Feist with iPod ad tune “1,2,3,4” and The Reminder (QRO review). Putting some bossanova into accomplished indie, she even flirted with Stephen Colbert (QRO live review of the NYC show right after that). After all the attention, Feist (QRO photos) took some time off, but returned with a flourish last year (QRO live review) thanks to the well-received follow-up Metals (QRO review), and returns to Osheaga (QRO photos at a festival). |
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| Brand New, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PMLong Island’s Brand New (QRO photos) have been getting bigger & bigger, like with 2009’s Top Ten release, Daisy. They may be more mainstream than many like their alt-rock, but what do you expect from Long Island? The return to Osheaga for the second time. |  |
| Young the Giant, 4:35 PM – 5:25 PMThese Irvine natives toiled for years as The Jakes, but when they changed their name to Young the Giant (QRO photos at a festival), things finally took off (QRO photos at a festival), with their self-(new) titled album & TV performances, including at MTV’s Video Music Awards. They’ve since been gracing bigger (QRO photos) and bigger (QRO photos) stages & shows (QRO live review) |  |
| Also:Calexico, 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Kathleen Edwards, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM |
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| Verte StageThe Jesus and Mary Chain, 9:45 PM – 10:45 PM
After gaining notoriety for their short and violent sets, The Jesus and Mary Chain (QRO photos at a festival) split in 1999 only to be reunited back in 2007. The band have released a slew of power punk albums in the ‘80s and ‘90s but have yet to release anything new. |
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| Yeasayer, 8:00 PM – 8:55 PMThe experimental Yeasayer (QRO live review outdoors) combine electronica, rock, and even tribal sounds, making them sound like the music of the cyberpunk future, multi-cultural in ways you’d never foresee (QRO live review). They’ve been steadily building since 2007’s All Our Cymbals (QRO review) and the futuristic “2080” (QRO video) & “Wait For the Summer” (QRO video), and managed to beat the sophomore curse with 2010’s impressive Odd Blood (QRO review) and songs “Ambling Alp” (QRO video) & “O.N.E.” (QRO video). They’ve also got a fascinating stage presence (QRO photos outdoors), especially at festivals (QRO photos at a festival) – even overseas (QRO live review in the U.K.) & in foreign-speaking lands (QRO photos at a German festival). The group (QRO photos) comes to Osheaga behind the new Fragrant World. |  |
| A$AP Rocky, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PMThese days, every indie music festival has to have some hip-hop from the other side of the tracks, and even the Francophone Osheaga isn’t immune, with A$AP Rocky (QRO photos at a festival) – so expect shouts for schwag (QRO photos at a festival) and probably a fight to break out (like just happened on the street in NYC, A$AP vs. photogs…). |  |
| The Raveonettes, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PMDanish rock-star duo Sune Rose Wagner & Sharin Foo (QRO photos at a festival) first got notice for making all of their music in the key of B-flat minor (2002’s Whip It On) then b-flat major (2003’s Chain Gang of Love), before widening their sound (and band) for 2005’s Pretty In Black (including guest appearance by Ronnie Spector – QRO photos). However, they returned & revived their minimalism with their last three records, Lust Lust Lust (QRO review), In and Out of Control, Raven in the Grave (QRO review), and the upcoming Observator, some haunting garage throwbacks (QRO photos). |  |
| Cursive, 3:30 PM – 4:15 PMThe expansive sound of Omaha’s Cursive (QRO live review) comes to Osheaga (QRO photos at a festival) for a second time behind this year’s sub-par I Am Gemini (QRO review). Hopefully their live show (QRO live review) features earlier material like the strong prior Mama, I’m Swollen (QRO review). |  |
| Also:The Aggrolites, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Memoryhouse, 1:15 PM – 1:45 PM – QRO interview |
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| Arbres StageThe Sheepdogs, 10:10 PM – 11:00 PM
Last year, Rolling Stone ran a ‘Choose the Cover’ contest for the first unsigned band to ever appear on the venerable magazine’s cover, and the winner was Saskatoon’s The Sheepdogs (QRO photos at Osheaga ‘11, two days before winning the contest). However, the group (QRO photos) was unsigned more due to location than sound, as their seventies guitar-rock isn’t entirely original, but is popular – they’ve since signed to Atlantic Records… (QRO photos at a festival) |
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| The Death Set, 8:50 PM – 9:35 PMArt punk group formed back in 2005, The Death Set (QRO photos outdoors) are known for their high adrenaline punk with explosive chaos. Similar to Death From Above 1979 (QRO photos from Osheaga ‘11), they fuse punk rock with electronic music (QRO photos). |  |
| Avec pas d’casque, 7:30 PM – 8:15 PMThe Montreal based band, Avec Pas D’ Casque, is a quartet of folk mixed with the lo-fi simplistic sounds of electronica. They have released their third album, Astronomie, back in March 2012. |  |
| Arkells, 6:15 PM – 6:55 PMExplosive rock band, Arkells, have been ensuing in chaos amongst all their shows on tour, like at Osheaga in 2009. Their last release was their single, “Oh Paper,” and their full-length album, Michigan Left. |  |
| Young Galaxy, 5:00 PM – 5:40 PMYoung Galaxy (QRO live review) emerged out of the Montreal-Toronto ‘Canadian Invasion’ that gave America (and the world) such acts as Broken Social Scene (QRO photos at Osheaga ‘11) and Stars (QRO photos at Osheaga ‘10) with 2007’s strong debut Young Galaxy (QRO review). However, since then with 2009’s Invisible Republic (QRO review) and last year’s Shapeshifting (QRO review), the orchestral, complex group (QRO live review) has slid (QRO photos at a festival). |  |
| Black Lips, 4:00 PM – 4:30 PMA band better known for their live show than their records, that’s not just because of the relatively unimpressive recorded material like 2010’s 200 Million Thousand (QRO review) or last year’s Arabia Mountain (QRO review), but also due to their crazy mishmash of genres and styles on stage (QRO live review). Atlanta’s The Black Lips’ wild live show includes everything from nudity to fireworks – and live animals (QRO photos at a festival) Montreal should hopefully let the boys let ‘er rip (QRO photos outdoors), but be rest assured their rabidly loyal fan base will still be crying out for more (QRO photos outdoors at a festival). |  |
| Also:Kandle, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Karim Ouellet, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Propofol, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
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| Piknic Électronik StageAdventure Club, 9:45 PM – 10:55 PM
Known for their frenetic beats and climatic bass drops, Adventure Club, is one of Canada’s most talented bassheads. Already remixed Flight Facilities and Britney Spears, the DJ duo has already released an eclectic set of remixes and originals. Make sure to check out their Soundcloud for some free downloads of their original songs, “Wait” and “Rise and Fall”. |
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| Little Dragon, 8:45 PM – 9:30 PMFrom chilly-but-beautiful Gothenburg, Sweden comes the chilly-but-beautiful electronic outfit Little Dragon (QRO photos), who’ve collaborated with everyone from Gorillaz (QRO album review) to José González, but more recently put out their own Ritual Union (QRO review), and have been gracing festivals (QRO photos at a festival) & more (QRO photos at a festival). |  |
| SBTRKT, 7:30 PM – 8:15 PMLondon DJ/producer Aaron Jerome, a.k.a. SBTRKT, has been impressing with his post-dubstep work, which he brings live to Osheaga (QRO photos at a festival). |  |
| Also:Brandt Brauer Frick, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Iggy Azalea, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM Kaytradamus, 3:15 PM – 4:45 PM Simon Called Peter, 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM |
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 5TH
| Riviére StageThe Black Keys, 9:15 PM – 10:45 PM
The blues-rock from guitar/drums duo of Dan Auerbach & Patrick Carney (QRO photos) sounds like it comes from the deepest (and blackest…) part of the South, but these two white men (QRO photos at a festival) hail from Akron, Ohio. However, The Black Keys (QRO photos outdoors) are as gritty as anyone, whether on records like 2008’s Attack & Release (QRO review), or live (QRO photos at a festival), as depicted on the Live at Crystal Ballroom DVD (QRO review). And their latest, Brothers (QRO review), channels all their inspirations into a great sound that’s even better at a festival, like at Osheaga ‘10 (QRO photos at a festival) – and ‘12 marks their third Osheaga appearance! (QRO photos at a festival) |
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| City and Colour, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM Dallas Green, singer/guitarist of emo-punk band Alexisonfire, embraces his sad, acoustic side as City and Colour (he’s Canadian, thus the extra ‘u’ – 2005’s Sometimes only came out in America in 2009 – QRO review), and returns to Osheaga for a second year in a row (QRO photos at a festival). |  |
| Passion Pit, 5:30 PM – 6:15 PMBlowing up very fast was Cambridge, Mass’ Passion Pit (QRO photos). Single “Sleepyhead” (QRO video) found its way to MTV nominations, while debut Manners (QRO review) found its way onto the charts – and expectations are seriously high for this year’s follow-up, Gossamer (QRO photos at a recent festival), out right before Osheaga (with single “Take a Walk” out now – QRO review). Catch the big-name indietronica stars (QRO photos outdoors) as they return to the road (QRO photos at a festival), ‘cause they’ve moved up to the big-time (QRO photos), and aren’t playing small places – or even medium-sized (QRO photos) anymore… (QRO live review) |  |
| Also:Common, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Aloe Blacc, 2:35 PM – 3:15 PM Zeus, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM – QRO live review |
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| Montagne StageMetric, 8:15 PM – 9:15 PM
Is it wrong to resent a band for finally getting breakthrough success? That question is always at the heart of any discussion regarding Toronto based band Metric (QRO live review) – love them or hate them (QRO photos at a festival), the quartet has done pretty well for themselves (QRO live review). 2009’s Fantasies (QRO review) earned them a couple of Juno awards, as well as shot listing for the prestigious Polaris Prize, two Canadian awards the band certainly no stranger to. While they may be one of the more mainstream acts in indie today (QRO live review), they are undeniably a charismatic take on the pop/punk genre (QRO photos at a festival), and their growing fan base (QRO live review) reflects this over and over again (QRO photos). Always a safe bet to tear up any stage (QRO live review), Metric returns to Osheaga (QRO photos at Osheaga ‘10) for the fourth time (playing every other year since 2006), and are touring their highly anticipated new Synthetica (QRO review). The band (QRO live review outdoors), fronted by singer/songstress extraordinaire – and your indie-rock crush – Emily Haines (QRO solo album review) is entirely capable of winning over the indie purist in all of us (QRO photos outdoors at a festival) with songs from the new single “Youth Without Youth” (QRO review) to Fantasies” “Sick Muse” (QRO video) to older numbers like “Dead Disco” (QRO video), “Handshakes” (QRO video) & “Monster Hospital” (QRO video). |
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| The Shins, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PMThe Shins (QRO photos) are back! The Shins are back! The band (QRO live review) that caused Zach Braff (and the world) to fall in love with Natalie Portman in Garden State had one of the most-anticipated & best-received records of 2007 in Wincing the Night Away (QRO review). Then the band (QRO photos) left label Sub Pop, and soon started losing members around main man James Mercer, who eventually put The Shins on hold to work with Danger Mouse as the middling Broken Bells (QRO album review). But Mercer & whoever makes up the rest of The Shins (QRO photos at a festival) now are back, reclaiming their indie crown with this year’s great Port of Morrow (QRO review). They’re once again playing big stages (and big shows, like Austin City Limits – QRO live review on Austin City Limits) and big festivals (QRO photos at a festival). |  |
| Santigold, 4:45 PM – 5:30 PMFormerly known as Santogold (changed due to threat of lawsuit from an infomercial jeweler Santo Gold – QRO live review), Philadelphia’s Santi White (QRO photos) toured with everyone from Coldplay to Kanye West – but coming to Osheaga (QRO photos at a festival) a star in her own right (QRO photos at a festival), behind her new Master of My Make-Believe and stellar live show (QRO photos at a festival), even at festivals (QRO photos at a festival), like Osheaga ‘07. |  |
| Tame Impala, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PMFrom halfway around the world in Perth, Western Australia comes the psychedelic rock of Tame Impala (QRO live review), touring off of last year’s Innerspeaker (QRO review) & this year’s upcoming Lonerism. |  |
| Dan Mangan, 2:00 PM – 2:35 PMCanada has lots of alt-country/folk singer/songwriters who bare their soul – the mix of the cold, sparse expanses of the Great White North and the state support of the Factor program has produced many artists like Dan Mangan (QRO photos at a festival), but he’s Nice, Nice, Very Nice (QRO review) – though his latest, sophomore Oh Fortune (QRO review), was a bit of a step backward. |  |
| CHAPPO, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PMBrooklyn’s CHAPPO (QRO photos at a festival) arrives in Montreal at full sprint, bathing in the full-length beauty of their debut LP Moonwater. After a stellar two-part EP project, Plastique Universe I & II, the neu-psych ensemble has polished their live show to a near iridescent glow. Confetti shotguns, lazer airplanes, primal beats & sweaty licks. It’s no wonder that Of Montreal (QRO live review – no puns on the Osheaga location, please) tapped them for touring partners. CHAPPO combines flash & substance into a kinetic maelstrom bloodbath of elektro-analog… How do you say? Jouissance! Not to be missed. |  |
| Verte StageM83, 9:00 PM – 10:15 PM
How is it that France does such great atmospherics? M83 (QRO live review) actually exceeded countrymen Air (QRO album review) with 2008’s Saturdays = Youth (QRO review), their most accessible electronica album to-date, and come to Osheaga behind Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (QRO review), which has led the band to bigger shows (QRO live review) and bigger stages (QRO photos) at bigger festivals (QRO photos at a festival). |
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| Bloc Party, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PMKnown for their ubiquitous single, “Banquet”, Bloc Party (QRO photos) is one of the few gems to come out of the post-punk revival in the early 2000’s. Reminiscent of the Sonic Youth and The Cure, the four-piece band has become a household name within the UK region. Make sure to check out their newest single, “Day Four,” set to be on their upcoming album, Four, their follow-up to the so-so Intimacy (QRO review) & A Weekend In the City (QRO review), and the band’s first since singer Kele Okereke’s lame solo record, The Boxer (QRO review). |  |
| Woodkid, 5:45 PM – 6:30 PMBesides from being an alternative indie musician, Yoann Lemoine under the moniker, Woodkid, has been the music video director for Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”, and Lana Del Rey’s “Born To Die”. Combing epic orchestral sounds with smooth timbres, Woodkid has already released his EP, Run Boy Run. |  |
| Austra, 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM2011 was a breakout year for Katie Stelmanis (QRO photos at a festival), the force behind Austra (QRO live review). The Canadian act put out debut Feel It Break (QRO review), which was short-listed for the prestigious Polaris music prize, and their airier electronica (QRO photos outdoors) has won fans with songs like “The Villain” (QRO video), “Beat and the Pulse” (QRO video), and “The Choke” (QRO video). |  |
| The Airborne Toxic Event, 3:00 PM – 3:40 PMMixing rock and orchestral is the über-grand is the overwrought ensemble The Airborne Toxic Event (QRO photos).
Also: The Airplane Boys, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Peter Peter, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
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| Arbres StageKeys N Krates, 10:15 PM – 11:00 PM
Toronto based trio Keys N Krates have been creating a blend of hip-hop, electronica, and glitch pop since the early beginnings of 2008. Now already remixed Adventure Club, Madeon, and The Weeknd (see all three, above or below), they have been touring across the northern states and Canada since the early summer. |
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| Asexuals, 9:00 PM – 9:45 PMOriginally coming out of the Montreal punk scene back in the ‘80s, the Asexuals have now developed a more radio friendly sound with the departure of their singer, John Kastner, though they have yet to release any new material since 2001 with Greater Than Later. |  |
| The Black Angels, 7:40 PM – 8:25 PMAustin’s own Black Angels (QRO photos) bring the psychedelic rock of 2010’s Phosphene Dream (QRO review) to Osheaga (QRO photos outdoors at a festival). |  |
| Sandro Perri, 6:30 PM – 7:10 PMHosting an amalgam of genres ranging from electronic, experimental, and even folk, Sandro Perri is notably one of Canada’s most talented producers. He has yet to release any new music since his 2011 album, Impossible Spaces, which ranked 38 on Pitchfork’s list of “Top 50 Albums of 2011.” |  |
| James Vincent McMorrow, 5:20 PM – 6:00 PMIrish songwriter James Vincent McMorrow has been hypnotizing his listeners with his ethereal vocals and timeless melodies. After a self-imposed seclusion for his 2010 debut album, Early In the Morning, he has been touring and released his single, “Higher Love”, in 2011. |  |
| Michael Kiwanuka, 4:10 PM – 4:50 PMCompared to the likes of Otis Redding and Randy Newman, Michael Kiwanuka is an acclaimed soul musician known for his confessional and incantatory songwriting. He released his debut album, Home Again, on March 2012. |  |
| Koriass, 3:10 PM – 3:40 PMQuebec wordsmith Koriass comes to Osheaga. |  |
| Zola Jesus, 2:10 PM – 2:40 PM Goth-chill is very big these days, including acts like the blowing up Zola Jesus (QRO photos at a festival). Fronted by the haunting Niki Roza Danilova, they seriously impressed with last year’s Conatus (QRO review). They are, however, better suited for playing indoor classy places like museums (QRO photos at The Guggenheim), but unfortunately it’ll still be daylight when they play Osheaga (QRO photos outdoors in the daylight), not nighttime (QRO photos outdoors at a festival at night).
Also: Doe Paoro, 1:10 PM – 1:40 PM |
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| Piknic Électronik StageKnife Party, 9:45 PM – 10:45 PM
Frenetic bass drops, sinuous synths, and climatic dub buildups could easily describe Knife Party’s staple sound. Formed by the two members of the former Pendulum, Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen, Knife Party is easily one of the best electronic acts to come out of the EDM scene. |
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| Wolfgang Gartner, 8:45 PM – 9:45 PMLos Angeles’s Wolfgang Gartner comes to the Piknic Électronik Stage. |  |
| Madeon, 7:45 PM – 8:45 PMBig house synths, and disco dance grooves with a pop friendly structure is what Madeon uses to describe his music. Only seventeen-years-old (QRO photos at a festival), this precocious youngster has already played at Coachella, SXSW and many other festivals. Check out his dubstep song, “Finale,” as well as his pop mash-up, “Pop Culture”. Not too shabby for starting off in his garage, right? |  |
| Buraka Som Sistema, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PMThe Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) world community is maybe the most diverse & integrated, from the melting pot of Brazil all the way over to Asian outposts like Goa, Timor Leste, and Macao. Lisbon’s Buraka Som Sistema take the kuduro sounds of ex-colony Angola, marrying it to European electronica, for something truly new & original.
Also: Le Matos, 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM Zombie Disco Squad, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Vosper, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM |
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For festival website, go here: http://www.osheaga.com/en/
