Emerging acts and local talent shine in Osheaga’s stacked weekend lineup

Osheaga is upon us, and while the big-name headliners are sure to draw the crowds, there are plenty of hidden gems worth discovering.

Darcy MacDonald, a freelance writer who’s been covering Montreal’s music scene for 15 years, shared some of his must-see performances — a mix of local acts and rising stars that might just become your new favourites.

Friday

• Joey Valence & Brae, a young hip-hop duo from Pennsylvania, take the Valley Stage at 3:55 p.m. Macdonald says to expect a high-energy set — the perfect way to kick off the weekend.  

• Magi Merlin, a Montreal-based artist, hits the SiriusXM stage at 5:30 p.m. The Saint-Lazare native is known for her blend of alternative R&B and neo-soul.

• Bibi Club, a Canadian indie-pop duo, will be belting out tunes on the SiriusXM stage at 6:15 p.m.

• PyPy, a Montreal psych-punk band, takes over the SiriusXM stage at 7:30 p.m.

“Each act brings something profoundly different from the other, but they’re all super entertaining,” said MacDonald.

Saturday

• BéLi, the stage name of Montreal-based singer-songwriter Ariane Béliveau, will make her Osheaga debut at 4 p.m. on the SiriusXM stage.

• TV on the Radio, an Indie rock band from Brooklyn, will perform on the Valley stage at 7 p.m.

“TV on the Radio from Brooklyn in the early aughts. Absolutely adore them, and I’ve never seen them, which is kind of crazy. So, I’m really looking forward to that,” MacDonald added.

Sunday

• Debby Friday, an electronic musician who grew up in Montreal and is now based in Toronto, will hit the Valley Stage at 2 p.m. She won the Polaris Music Prize in 2023.

• Turbine, a trio originally from France and now based in Montreal, will deliver a sample-based electronic performance on the Island Stage, also at 2 p.m.

“Both of these talents are high-level,” MacDonald noted.