Zeds Dead Revealed as Billboard Canada's CNE 2026 Headliner

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Billboard Canada is bringing Zeds Dead to the CNE. The influential Toronto electronic musicians have been revealed as the Canadian National Exhibition's (CNE) special headliner for Aug. 28, where they will play a headlining set on the Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell, presented by Billboard Canada.

Through their 17-year career, Zeds Dead have been one of electronic music's biggest independent success stories, amassing billions of streams and going platinum with Billboard Canada-charting hits like "Lost You." They've also influenced the next generation of electronic music with their independent label Deadbeats, which is home for some of the genre's biggest names, from REZZ to Subtronics.

This special homecoming set lands amid their North American Journey of a Lifetime tour, which is named after their one of the duo's earliest-ever tracks, released online in 2009. The career-spanning trek arrives ahead of a brief break in 2027, which has prompted the duo to go "all out on production, new music, and stage design to bring you a new show that will take you on a magical journey. A journey of a lifetime." with their current show.

Since 2009, they've impacted the Billboard 200 and Billboard Canadian Albums chart, landed several top 10 efforts on Billboard Top Dance Albums and played massive stages worldwide, including a surprise set at Coachella 2025. Now, they're headlining the main stage at one of the biggest events in their hometown, a national staple that welcomes over 1.4 million visitors each year.

Currently on its 147th edition, the CNE has placed a newfound focus on music, calling back to its own history of booking storied names in music including The Who, Bruce Springsteen and Rush. This year, the Ex notably partnered with Toronto music festival NXNE to elevate its musical programming, and the Bandshell was reintroduced as the Bell SOUNDSTAGE. “Music is such a massive part of who we are,” Mark Holland, CEO of the CNE, told Billboard Canada in April during his Executive of the Week interview. "Connecting everybody to that is a democratic mission that we are really invested in."

As fellow CNE partners, Billboard Canada is bringing Zeds Dead to the Bandshell for a special showcase, and Rolling Stone Canada is bringing a soon-to-be-revealed co-headliner who will play alongside Canadian country and rock star Dallas Smith on Aug. 31. The 2026 CNE season kicked off on Friday (Aug. 21) with an inaugural performance by Chicago rapper and wordsmith Lupe Fiasco, followed by Lights on Saturday and Shaggy on Sunday. This year's musical programming is set to welcome an array of Canadian and international stars including Charlotte Day Wilson, Finger Eleven, JoJo and more.

“For 146 years, the CNE has been the Showcase of the Nation where Canadians come to discover what’s innovative and exciting from arts and technology to food – and especially music – a quintessential part of the CNE experience for generations,” says Holland.

Admission to the show is free for all CNE ticketholders. Tickets are available here.