Chappell Roan, SZA, Green Day Set to Sizzle at Osheaga: Canadian Concerts of the Week

We're heading into deep festival season this weekend, as August kicks off with some of the country's biggest music events, as well as a homecoming show for a major Toronto hitmaker.

Concert of the Week

Osheaga Music & Arts Festival, Montreal — Friday, August 2 to Sunday, August 4

One of Canada's biggest festivals, Osheaga always distinguishes itself with a lineup of international heavy hitters and emerging local acts. This year's edition feels like one of the buzziest that producers Evenko have put together, with Saturday tickets sold-out. That day features headliners Green Day, who are also stopping in Toronto this week on their Dookie/American Idiot anniversary tour, as well as 2024 chart breakout Chappell Roan, who could be a headliner in years to come.

Friday and Sunday also feature a whole host of acts worth the price of admission, from Canadian up-and-comers like hip-hop artist myst milano. and rising rocker Cam Kahin, to Grammy-winning Amapiano artist Tyla, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier and French dance duo Justice.

"The model for our festival has always been about strength of lineup from the beginning to the end," Osheaga co-founder Nick Farkas told Billboard Canada last fall, when the 2024 headliners were first revealed. Farkas is especially proud when artists who first play the festival as afternoon performers get to return as major evening acts, like this year's Sunday headliner SZA. "Whenever we see an artist that plays early and then eventually ends up headlining, that's kind of always been our goal, to elevate artists and really develop younger talent," Farkas explained.

SZA last took the stage at Montreal's Jean-Drapeau park in 2015, before the release of her debut album CTRL and her smash follow-up S.O.S. Toronto fans have faced two cancellations from the "Snooze" singer — hopefully she won't miss this moment.

Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal. Tickets and information here.

More Canadian Concerts of the Week

Billy Idol with Platinum Blonde at Rogers Arena, Vancouver — Tuesday, July 30

British '80s star Billy Idol is taking his Rebel Yell tour through 13 Canadian cities starting tonight (July 30) in Vancouver. The tour pairs Idol with reunited Canadian new wave hitmakers Platinum Blonde, who are celebrating an 8X Platinum certification for their 1986 album Alien Shores. Miss them in Vancouver and you can still catch them in Edmonton, Calgary or Saskatoon over the next week before they hit Toronto's Scotiabank Arena.

Full Canadian tour dates and tickets here.

PartyNextDoor & Friends at Budweiser Stage, Toronto — Friday, August 2

The last time this Toronto singer, songwriter and Billboard Canada cover star played his hometown at History in 2023, it turned into a mini-OVO Fest. Most of the label's roster was there, including Drake himself. He's back at Budweiser Stage with another PartyNextDoor & Friends show as part of his Sorry I'm Outside Tour this weekend, and with no news on OVO Fest this year amidst Drake's feud with Kendrick Lamar, this could be the special-guest-packed hometown show fans are waiting for.

Tickets available here.

VELD Music Festival at Downsview Park, Toronto — Friday, August 2 to Sunday, August 4

Canada's biggest electronic dance music festival is happening this weekend. The INK Entertainment event features some of the genre's biggest mega-artists, including Alesso, Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Kaskade and more. Eric Prydz, meanwhile, is bringing his visual spectacle HOLO show — a hit at other EDM festivals — to VELD.

Tickets and information here.

Chasing Summer at Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds, Calgary — Saturday, August 3 & Sunday, August 4

Another big electronic festival, this one in Calgary, Chasing Summer features Rolling Stone Quebec cover star deadmau5, plus Illenium, DJ Snake, Claptone and more. There are enough big EDM headliners for two major Canadian festivals on the same weekend.

Tickets and information here.