Hip Hop / Hip Hop / hip-hop alternatif / rap

Osheaga 2025 I Tyler, The Creator, Imperial despite the rain and fatigue

by Jacob Langlois-Pelletier

If there’s one thing Tyler, The Creator has proven—or rather reaffirmed—with the recent release of his dance project DON’T TAP THE GLASS, it’s that he doesn’t care about conventions and only wants to create music that he likes. And it was in this same spirit that he took to the stage at Osheaga, with one intention: to have fun with the crowd, despite the rain that cut his set short and his palpable fatigue.

Barely a week after his concert at the Bell Centre, Tyler undoubtedly recognized familiar faces among the thousands of spectators at Parc Jean-Drapeau. He made his entrance to the heavy, dramatic notes of “Big Poe,” followed by the catchy “Sugar on My Tongue,” perched on a structure bearing the title of his latest album. That was all it took for the audience to start dancing, just minutes after the show began.

In front of and behind him, pyrotechnic effects exploded to the rhythm of the songs, accompanied by precise lighting, always in tune with the different atmospheres of his repertoire. Tyler Gregory Okonma, his real name, is a true showman. Alone on the vast stage, he leapt, swayed his hips, and embodied each beat with intensity.

After a brief appearance of DON’T TAP THE GLASS, he followed up with several tracks from CHROMAKOPIA, released in October 2024. The atmosphere darkened as green beams, the project’s signature colour, flooded the stage. “Sticky” was one of the highlights, with the crowd chanting the verses of rappers GloRilla and Sexyy Red at the top of their lungs. Rarely does one see an audience so connected to its artist.

Crédit photo: Sophie Mediavilla-Rivard

Halfway through the show, Tyler revealed that he was going to draw on some older tracks, “to give me a break while you sing,” he said. By performing songs like “EARFQUAKE” (IGOR) and “WUSYANAME” (CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST), the alternative rap icon hit the mark. All he had to do was enjoy the audience singing along.

Several times, the artist mentioned how exhausted he was, admitting to feeling “drained” towards the end of his hour-long set. On tour since February, Tyler is nearing the end of a marathon of more than sixty concerts. We readily forgive him for his fatigue, especially given the energy he expended and the fact that he delivered the vast majority of his lyrics in their entirety.

After exploring every corner of his discography, Tyler concluded with the sublime “See You Again,” a collaboration with Kali Uchis from Flower Boy (2017). Carried by the voices of the audience, he left the stage with a warm thank you to his fans.

On “Rah Tah Tah,” Tyler, The Creator claims to be the greatest rapper in Los Angeles after Kendrick Lamar. After such a solid performance and a successful career, we can only agree with him. It’s not arrogance, but lucidity.

Alternative Rock / Blues / Blues Rock / Indie Folk / Indie Rock / Rock

Osheaga 2025 I Kaleo, Nordic Power

by Jacob Langlois-Pelletier

In terms of aura, charisma, and presence, Jökull Júlíusson, the central figure of Kaleo, is in a class of his own. Early Saturday evening, the Icelandic folk-rock band transported the Montreal audience to the heart of the Nordic landscapes, somewhere between land and sea.

With his shirt open, cowboy hat, and sunglasses firmly in place, the singer embodies style, clearly inspired by the country wave currently sweeping the music industry. As soon as he takes the stage, the band strikes up the opening notes of “Break My Baby,” a blues-rock track with modern accents from Surface Sounds. The audience immediately understands that they are about to experience something special.

The vocal power of the 35-year-old tenor is difficult to convey in writing: Júlíusson masterfully combines roughness and fragility. The Icelander can just as easily lull the crowd with a ballad like “All the Pretty Girls” — a real highlight of the evening — as he can rock them with “No Good.”

Surrounded by his four musicians and sidekicks, Júlíusson delivers a vibrant performance that stays true to the studio arrangements. Þorleifur Gaukur Davíðsson shines with his harmonica solos scattered here and there, adding a welcome touch of nostalgia. Add to that the singer’s deep soul, and the whole thing forms a perfectly balanced musical marriage.

Ten years after its release, “Way Down We Go” remains the band’s signature song. There was no better choice to conclude the show than this track, which was enthusiastically received by the fans gathered in front of the stage.

Kaleo’s performance, lasting just over 50 minutes, flew by in a flash. The band offered a moment of suspended time, poetic and soothing—a gentle balm between the high-energy performances of rappers Tommy Richman and Smino on the neighbouring stage.

Crédit photo: Tim Snow

Folk Pop / indie / Indie Pop / Rock

Osheaga 2025 I The Alex Warren phenomenon arrives in town

by Jacob Langlois-Pelletier

Like Chappell Roan last year, Alex Warren is one of those artists who exploded between being added to the Osheaga lineup and taking the stage. As a result, Jean-Drapeau Park was already packed by 3 p.m. to welcome the Californian phenomenon—one of the largest afternoon crowds in recent years.

Topping the Billboard charts for eight weeks, “Ordinary” has changed the trajectory of the 24-year-old singer-songwriter. Although Warren has been releasing songs sporadically since 2021, it was with the release of this track in February that he truly established himself as one of the new sensations of American pop.

From the very first notes, his powerful voice hits you like a ton of bricks. Warren skillfully conveys the emotions of a journey marked by hardship, including the loss of both his parents and the ups and downs of his love life.

“I’m going to get some water and my guitar, then play a song I wrote for my wife,” he says before performing the touching “Catch My Breath.” It is precisely this sincerity and humility that charm his audience and explain the extent of his success. Throughout his performance, the artist repeatedly thanked the audience and engaged in warm exchanges with them.

Despite a still limited repertoire, he delivered a generous show, culminating in “Ordinary,” sung at the top of his lungs by a captivated crowd. Special mention goes to “Bloodline,” undoubtedly one of the most intense and successful moments of his performance.

Alex Warren may not be revolutionizing the genre, but he offers polished, unifying, and, above all, effective folk-pop. And judging by the enthusiasm he generates, his rise is only just beginning.

Crédit photo: Tim Snow

Bedroom Pop / Folk Pop / Indie Pop

Osheaga 2025 I The Magic of Gracie Abrams

by Sophie Mediavilla-Rivard

Gracie Abrams shone on the second night of Osheaga in front of an audience that was already won over, despite the concert being cut short by the weather. “This is unreal,” she said on stage, visibly moved by the warm reception from festival-goers.

She made her entrance with her guitar in hand, dressed in a long white dress that made her look like an angel. The 25-year-old artist immediately created a magical atmosphere by opening her set with the song “Risk,” from her latest album, The Secret of Us, released in June 2024.

It was this album that propelled her to the popular success she enjoys today and brought together an enthusiastic crowd on Saturday evening at Jean-Drapeau Park. Gracie Abrams first made a name for herself with “21,” a track from the album Minor, released in 2020. She performed it in front of sparkling fireworks projected behind the stage.

Unfortunately, a storm forced the show to stop about ten minutes before the end, preventing Gracie Abrams from playing her two most popular songs, “Close To You” and “That’s So True,” much to the disappointment of her loyal audience.

However, we will remember the artist fondly, as she gave one of the strongest performances of the second day of the festival. She proved that she is as skilled on the guitar and piano (on which she played “Cool” and “I miss you, I’m sorry”) as she is with her voice. Always authentically herself, the singer performed with equal parts gentleness and passion.

“Osheaga, I’m so sad we had to cut the last set short because of the weather, but you were incredible tonight. It was crazy and wonderful to be back after three years,” wrote the singer, who first came to Osheaga in 2022, on Instagram, clearly sharing her fans’ disappointment but also their joy.

Crédit photo: Osheaga

Country Folk / Folk / Pop / Rock

Osheaga: Scène de la RIVIÈRE Bell – Naoh Kahan, Dominic Fike, Blonde Redhead et plus!

by Rédaction PAN M 360

Le festival OSHEAGA prendra son envol du 2 au 4 août prochain au Parc Jean-Drapeau. Voici les artistes sur la Scène de la RIVIÈRE Bell au cours de la fin de semaine!

The OSHEAGA festival takes off August 2-4 at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Here are the artists performing on the RIVIÈRE Bell stage this weekend!

Vendredi 2 août