CNE Bandshell Gets Marianas Trench, Shawn Desman and More For Summer 2025 Concert Series
July Talk, Dean Brody and Loverboy will also headline the Ex's annual series. A little further south in Niagara, the Jackson-Triggs winery has revealed its own all-Canadian slate of summer shows, including Chantal Kreviazuk, Tenille Townes and Jim Cuddy.
Marianas Trench
Summer concerts are just around the corner. Festivals and major outdoor shows, including Toronto's new Rogers Stadium, are starting to roll out announcements. And now, two Ontario open-air series have revealed their 2025 lineups, with a slew of Canadian stars.
The Canadian National Exhibition will return to the Toronto waterfront this August. CNE fans know that there's more to the annual fair than just rides and carnival games — the CNE Bandshell stage puts on a strong summer lineup every year, and entry is included in the price of CNE admission.
This year, pop-R&B singer Shawn Desman is set to headline the CNE series. The Portuguese-Canadian artist, who rose to fame in the early 2000s, is gaining momentum on a career comeback, from performing at Drake's All Canadian North Stars event in 2022, to Zeina's interpolation of his nostalgic track "Shook" on her breakout hit "Hooked." Desman will kick off the Bandshell series on opening day, August 15.
Other headliners include B.C. pop-rockers Marianas Trench, legacy hitmakers Loverboy, alt-rock duo July Talk and 18-time Canadian Country Music Association award-winner Dean Brody. Opening acts are still to be announced, and advance tickets are available now.
2025 CNE Bandshell Headliner Lineup:
August 15 - Shawn Desman
August 16 - Loverboy
August 22 - July Talk
August 23 - Three Dog Night
August 26 - Bishop Briggs
August 29 - Marianas Trench
August 30 - Dean Brody
A little further south, the Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate winery will present a summer of all-Canadian acts at its Estate Ampitheatre. Set amidst the winery's vines, the intimate 500-seat concert series will run from June 20 to September 13. The series has been running for over 20 years, bringing more than 100 acts to Niagara wine country.
Wineries have become an increasingly popular spot to take in live music, as concert-goers look for experience-driven events — and the perfect music-beverage pairing. This summer, guests can take in artists like singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, Canadian country star Tenille Townes, Blue Rodeo frontman Jim Cuddy, and Montreal indie heroes Stars.
General sale starts April 11.
2025 Jackson-Triggs Concert Lineup:
Friday, June 20 & Saturday, June 21 - Sam Roberts Band
Friday, June 27 - The Strumbellas
Friday, July 4 - Stars
Saturday, July 5 - William Prince
Friday, July 11 - Colin James
Saturday, July 12 - Chantal Kreviazuk
Friday, July 18 - Matt Andersen with special guest, Terra Lightfoot
Saturday, July 19 - Tim Baker with special guest, Georgia Harmer
Friday, July 25 - The Trews Electric
Saturday, July 26 - The Trews Acoustic
Friday, August 8 - Classic Albums Live: The Beatles: Abbey Road
Friday, August 15 - Trooper
Saturday, August 16 - Donovan Woods
Thursday, August 21 - Tenille Townes
Friday, August 22 - Big Wreck
Saturday, August 23 - Noah Reid
Friday, September 5 - Jim Cuddy
Saturday, September 6 - USS
Friday, September 12 (70’s) & Saturday, September 13 (80’s) - Dwayne Gretzky
