Toronto’s hosting (almost) every musician who matters this summer, but it’s summer, and road trip season is upon us.
Good news, music festival fans: this July you’ve got options – and those options have headliners who won’t be making it to your backyard.
FESTIVAL D’ÉTÉ – QUEBEC CITY
July 4 to 14
Quebec City in the summer might be Canada’s most romantic city, and les Plaines d’Abraham the most scenic spot for an outdoor show. How is it that nobody in Ontario knows about a festival that gets Def Leppard, the Wu-Tang Clan and Carly Rae Jepsen all in one place at the same time? Now, if only we could corral them into the studio.
Headliners: Stevie Wonder, the Black Keys, Tiësto, Bruno Mars
Make time for: Solange, Wiz Khalifa, Guns N’ Roses, Father John Misty
Toronto love: Keys N Krates, Bahamas, Down with Webster
Driving time from T.O.: 8 hours
BLUESFEST – OTTAWA
July 4 to 14
So, yeah, it’s a bit of a misnomer, but at least Ottawa’s annual 10-day jam boasts a legitimate blues legend as its main draw.
Headliners: B.B. King, Rush, Weezer, fun.
Make time for: Femi Kuti, Tegan & Sara, the Joy Formidable
Toronto love: Cold Specks, Ra Ra Riot, Diamond Rings
Driving time from T.O.: 4.5 hours
OSHEAGA – MONTREAL
August 2 to 4
Coachella of the north, or at least the festival all your cooler-than-you friends are going to.
Headliners: The Cure, Beck, Mumford & Sons
Make time for: Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean (really, Osheaga, how are these not the headliners?), Charles Bradley
Toronto love: Azari & III, k-os, Stars
Driving time from T.O.: 5.5 hours
