Fred again.., Kim Petras, Soccer Mummy, The Flaming Lips, Carly Rae Jepson, Baby Keim: 16 has something for everyone.e Osheka Festival, 4th to 6th August. Dozens of names round out the lineup, including previously announced headliners such as Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, RÜFÜS DU SOL, The National and Aya Nakamura.
Once again this year, Osheka presents nearly a hundred concerts by artists of eclectic styles, representing various musical genres and origins. Festival guests come from hip-hop or indie rock, afro pop or electro, disco or synth pop. Among them are some of the biggest names in the current music scene, such as Lil Yachty, Fred Again…, Central Sea, Japanese Breakfast or Kim Petras. Others, such as The National or The Flaming Lips (who will perform their 2002 album Yoshimi battles pink robots), players who used to stop here often, would return to meet the Montreal public.
Hip-hop holds a large place in the festival. Instead of the day where most rappers gather, we’ve scattered their names over the three days of the festival. So, Aya Nakamura and Joey Badass$$ will perform on Friday, Baby Keen, Lil Yachty and 070 Sheik will be on stage on Saturday, while Osheka’s biggest acquisition of the year, Kendrick Lamar, will close out Sunday’s festivities.
Photo by Edward Plant-Freshette, La Presse Archives
Kendrick Lamar during the 2015 edition of Oshiaka
Indie pop rock, “part of the festival’s identity,” according to Camille Kitton, one of Osheka’s main programmers, has gained attention. “We’re anchored in this scene, and we’re keeping up with the new generation of artists,” he says. With Soccer Mom or Japanese Breakfast, we see this genre led by women. »
With Billie Eilish, Kim Petras (for her second visit to Montreal) or Aya Nakamura, “It’s important for Osheka to put women forward,” says Camille Kitton.
Image provided by Oshika
Poster of 16e Osheka-Festival
The festival seeks to open its musical borders – we note that Nigerian Afro pop king Rema, Japanese artist Rina Sawayama and Colombian band Bomba Esterio have amassed nearly a billion plays on Spotify. to his song Ojitos LindosWith Bad Bunny.
The Quebec Touch Remains: Alicia Moffett, Charami, Mindphillip, Jonathan Roy and more will represent the province and its music from August 4 to 6.
Photo by Charles William Pelletier, Archive Special Collaboration
Quebecer Alicia Moffett
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“There is no magic recipe. Every year, we start fresh, we wonder what trends are there, which artists stand out and who are coming back,” says Camille Kitton in an interview. Pres.
One thing remains constant: finding headliners early is essential. Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and RÜFÜS DU SOL were announced last fall after months of work. A team of six programmers continued to work on their remaining programming until a few days ago. “It’s over this week,” Camille Kitton says, laughter in her voice.
It is not uncommon for final programming details to be ironed out shortly before release. But this year is special. The current circumstances have created some obstacles for the Osheaga team. “It’s been a very difficult year in terms of programming because of specific issues: costs have increased, we’re in Canadian dollars and the exchange rate is problematic for us. So it may take more negotiation time to convince artists,” explains Camille Kitton.
The Montreal festival, the largest in Canada, lives up to its reputation, he observes. While COVID-19 made hosting events and tours like Osheaga’s more complicated, “we came out of it stronger,” the programmer says. “Dialogues are more open with groups of artists. Agents are also there. There are still big challenges, but I think there are more. [bienveillance]. »
Some changes are expected in this 16e Osheka Festival. There will be a lower phase as the City of Montreal redevelops parts of Parc Jean-Drebeau. Gone this year will be the wooden stage, a “playground for programmers” that programmed emerging and local artists there. “It’s our duty to constantly adapt to new challenges that arise, and this year we’ve stretched our sleeves again to offer a strong lineup of performers from 2pm onwards. As always, our team will be able to highlight this site we love, which is an integral part of the festival’s DNA,” says Camille Kitton.
Another difference to note: the Osheka poster is unlike the previous one. “The artistic direction has changed, we want to put festival-goers in perspective by creating characters on the poster, says the programmer. At Oshiaka, we want to send the message that you can show your colors. We are a fun place, a safe place. He believes that these values can be found in the programming itself. “The origin of music or sexuality. In terms of orientation,” says Camille Kitton. This is very important to us. We always want to open our borders while being true to who we are. »
Day tickets for the Oshika Festival go on sale on March 11. Three-day passes are already on sale.
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