Osheaga, Day 1: Fcukers Does It with the Lights On

For most musical acts getting their start, receiving a call from Osheaga one day before opening would be a dream come true. But for NYC house three-piece Fcukers—who have apparently managed to catch the attention of Beck, Clairo, Yves Tumor, and Julian Casablancas, as well as toured four continents within their first ten shows—I imagine securing a slot in Canada’s biggest festival to sub in for Sleater-Kinney’s cancellation at the eleventh hour felt like business as usual.

This confidence radiated from each member as they bounced around the stage, with breathless breakbeats and sexy basslines getting things started on a rather sultry tone for an afternoon performance. This is hot people music, best enjoyed reverberating off the walls of a dirty club bathroom while you do something illicit in a stall.

Lead vocalist Shanny Wise looked to be having the time of her life as the crowd began to amass in front of her, putting on her best valley girl-esque accent as she announced their name (it’s just pronounced “Fuckers,” by the way) between songs. The drums provided by Ben Scharf were truly immaculate, a graceful, measured hybrid between booming 808s and live percussion that brought these club tracks into an irresistible live mix. Meanwhile, we had an exceptional combination of analog bass and synthesizer from DJ/producer Jackson Walker Lewis, who was like a Gen Z Terminator in his wraparound shades and cold-as-ice performance.

Overall, Fcukers came to party. And while they no doubt deserved a late-night show to truly get their freak on, they look good with the lights on too.

Photos by Benoit Rousseau