What's Also Cool at OSHEAGA 2023

Wanna know what’s Also Cool at Osheaga this year? We’ve put together our list of top picks so that you can hit all the best shows at the festival. We’ve got something for everyone, whether you’re into cyber synth pop or Turkish psych-folk, you’ll be dancing all day long.

Listen along on Spotify to get a taste of what’s to come this weekend! 

FRIDAY

Magdalena Bay via Osheaga

Magdalena Bay

A little mystical and a little surreal, Magdalena Bay is an American synth-pop and electronic duo from Miami, Florida, based in Los Angeles who make synth-pop straight from the simulation. The band’s spacey, cyber-inspired visuals bring the world of Magdalena Bay to life, drawing on inspiration from early-Internet aesthetics, while their sound draws from Grimes, Charli XCX, and Chairlift. 

Altin Gün via Osheaga

Altin Gün

The Turkish psych-folk Altin Gün mesmerizes audiences with their effortless blend of traditional Anatolian folk and modern psych and funk. Their latest album Aşk continues the irresistible and infectious sound they have been building for years – a solid classic good time that we will not be missing at this year’s fest!

L’Impératrice via Osheafa

L’Impératrice

If you’re in the mood for Parisian nu-disco, L’Impératrice has got you covered. You can check out our 2021 interview with the band where they chat about their album Tako Tsubo, and explore the cause and cure for heartbreak.

Rina Sawayama via Osheaga

Rina Sawayama 

Japanese-British singer-songwriter and certified pop virtuoso Rina Sawayama is a must-see on this year’s Osheaga lineup. The 32-year-old singer’s sophomore album Hold the Girl—released September 16th, 2022 via Dirty Hit—caught our attention for its ambitious fusion of electrifying ballads, pop-punk, nu-metal and more. We anticipate the eclectic iconoclast to deliver a high-energy set that invites both headbanging and swaying in the name of introspective queer rebellion. 

Cults via Osheaga

SATURDAY

Cults

The indie pop dream-makers from our teen years, Cults released their latest album Offering last year – a modern twist reminiscent of the moody nostalgia we cried / danced with them in the early 2010s. We are definitely excited to see what they bring to the stage!

Peach Pit via Osheaga

Peach Pit

Vancouver indie rock princes Peach Pit bring their heartfelt tunes to the stage this weekend. Their tracks have been on our sad girl playlists since 2018, with lyrics that feel like a close friend telling you a story, and a sound that has influenced Canada’s DIY scene for years. 

Lil Yachty via Osheaga

Lil Yachty

In 2023, Lil Yachty’s latest album Let’s Start Here is giving more psychedelic rock journey than his typical trap affairs – with the top hit “drive ME crazy!” and a personal fav “pRETTy”. You will absolutely catch us out there bopping along.

Milk & Bone via Osheaga

SUNDAY

Milk & Bone

Montreal electropop duo Milk & Bone are set to play a dazzling homecoming show on Sunday. Their music highlights their vibrant inner world, weaving entracing vocal harmonies and heartbreaking lyrics. 

beabadoobee via Osheaga

beabadoobee

If you were on TikTok at all during the pandemic, you’ve probably heard “death bed (coffee for your head)” by beabadoobee. Born in the Phillippines and raised in London, Bea Kristi has successfully ridden the TikTok-viral wave, claiming her place in the indie-pop space. Her sound has a ‘90s alt-rock cinematic sheen, mixed with gentle and confessional lyrics. 

Japanese Breakfast

Led by undeniable talent Michelle Zauner, Japanese Breakfast has been a staple of indie rock for years. Their recent album Jubilee is a “celebration of the passage of time – a festival to usher in the hope of a new era in brilliant technicolor”. The hit “Be Sweet” is a promising and colourful bop and is one of the many we will be in the crowd singing along to!

Kim Petras

Treat me like a slut! Kim Petras, an absolute queer trans pop icon, takes the stage this year after releasing her album Feed the Beast. Her collab with Sam Smith for “Unholy” had us shaking in our booties and we are more than ready to experience this goddess IRL.

Plan your weekend & grab your tickets for Osheaga below. See you in the pit.

Tickets

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Tiny Fest Highlights Montreal's Music Scene at Sala Rossa (Presented by Worst Dad Ever, KickDrum, & Jade Armstrong)

Are you looking for a tiny & wonderful curation of all-ages shows to attend this weekend in Montreal? Look no further than Tiny Fest (presented by Worst Dad Ever, KickDrum Promotions, & Jade Armstrong), which runs at La Sala Rossa and La Sotterenea from Dec 2nd-3rd.

Tiny Fest is a DIY music festival that began in 2019, produced by Worst Dad Ever, taking place at La Sotterenea. The first rendition of Tiny Fest brought a number of bands from across Canada and the United States together.

Bringing together a mixture of unique and talented artists and reaching Montreal's community, Tiny Fest highlights scene favourites as well as up-and-coming bands. After its initial success, a second edition was put together for 2020, but due to COVID-19, it was postponed.

2022 sees the festival's revival and has grown out of the basement, expanding to La Sala Rossa, the entire venue will be an all-ages experience of the best music Montreal, and more has to offer.

Also Cool faves like NO WAVES, Eliza Niemi, and Fanclubwallet are just some of the many bands playing at the festival.

Buy tickets here!

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Malaika Astorga is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Also Cool. She is a Mexican-Canadian visual artist, writer, and social media strategist currently based in Montreal.

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The END is Here: Montreal's One-Day Rave Festival and Artist Market

Montreal's rave and creative scenes join together for END, a one-day festival from noon to 5am that includes an artist market and a nonstop rave. Hosted at 429 Avenue Viger E (Montréal) in two rooms, tickets for this nonstop party are available here. It's a rare opportunity to see all your rave friends in one place.

The music is curated by the city's best DJs, who have come together to create an atmosphere of friendship and endless dancing. Recognizable names on the lineup include the event organizers who have kept the Montreal afterhours going for years, as well as newcomers to the scene who have been ripping up the dancefloor every weekend in recent memory.

Artisans at the daytime portion of the event include many of Also Cool favs, as well as a ton of other artists we can't wait to check out. If you want to do your holiday shopping extra early or treat yourself, this is the place to do it.

Some words of the organizer:

“I'm hoping the event will bring the idea of connection, coming together for a singular immersive experience. Realize that a sustainable future is possible. For everyone to meet each other and begin to build connections and resources and create a place to belong. As well as showcasing the amazing talent Montreal has to offer! It is the end, and with the end, a new beginning comes.

No sexism. No racism. No ableism. No ageism. No homophobia. No fatphobia. No transphobia. No hatefulness

The beginning of the END

is here

People divided no more

People unified

All coming together to usher in a new era

We have made it this far

We will continue to go further

To give ourselves a platform

To showcase

Our love

Our talents

Our ideas

Everything we have to offer

And you will know

Energy Never Dies

Welcome

To

- END -”

Presented to you by Pabst

Schedule & lineup:

DAYTIME ACTIVITIES

Art Market: 12pm-4pm Free Entry

Those without tickets will be asked to leave after

ROOM 1

Blame Soundsystem

Dileta

Anabasine

Pretty Privilege

D. Blavatsky

Malice Doll

NGL Flounce

Neo Edo

Robowitch

Teykirisi

Jashim

Online Threat

Amselysen

Isla Den

Sako

ROOM 2

Pomelo Sound x Stm Underground Soundsystem

Choozey

Combo Breakers

Michele Azur

3 Rosas

Dissembler

Service De Garde

/||\||\

Sandwich District

Sperdakos

ARIA VEIL

LCL Stream

VIJUVI

Tickets I Instagram

About the organizer: Ethan Akerman AKA the Goblin that Can Dance is a producer, lightning designer, DJ, organizer, visionary, and community builder.

They are inspired by the people around them, who have so much to offer to the world. He aims to create a space that can give a platform to these people, build a sustainable future, and make something special that’ll change the way we see the world.

With positivity and love

That’s all we need to make it happen.

Enjoys Industrial and Breakbeat

Long walks in alleyways to the rave

Watching the sun rise

Drinking water

Telling people to drink water

& dance offs

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