OSHEAGA Begins With a Bang: Doechii, Lucy Dacus, EKKSTACY, and more
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Doechii at Osheaga 2025
The first day of Osheaga 2025 opened with a surge of energy that rarely let up despite the heat, balancing intimate moments on large stages that could only be experienced at a place like Osheaga. From rave-ready mixes, to surprise guest appearances, indie heartache to swamp-styled spectacle, Friday at Parc Jean-Drapeau reminded us why Osheaga festival still holds its cultural stronghold as one of the best of its kind in Canada.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Joey Valence @ Brae at Osheaga 2025
Joey Valence & Brae were the first to greet early crowds, opening our day at Scène de la Vallée stage with a high-energy blast of old-school hip hop flavour. Their underground-meets-internet-viral sound had the crowd bouncing from the jump, including a Charli XCX cover of “365” — an early sign that Osheaga wasn’t easing in slowly this year and Brat summer continues.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - tallandskinny at Osheaga 2025
Next up was tallandskinny, who wasted no time igniting the crowd with razor-sharp remixes and a confident aura on the stage. Her set blended the bratty bravado of Azealia Banks’ “212” with the slick bounce of “New Bottega,” seguing seamlessly into Missy Elliott classics. Overlapping not long after was UK producer salute, a rising force on the Ninja Tune roster. Playing to a packed and dancing crowd, they leaned into their 2024 breakout album True Magic and disco/house sound, dropping euphoric singles alongside a standout flip of Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.” Framed by ’80s-inspired visuals and sleek retro car aesthetics, salute’s set was a joyful sensory overload and future-facing, but full of nods to the past in genre and style.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Lucy Dacus at Osheaga 2025
In the late afternoon, Lucy Dacus slowed things down with a stunning performance that turned the main stage into something tender and timeless. With classic songs included in the setlist like “Night Shift” and a Bruce Springsteen cover of “Dancing in the Dark,” Dacus held the audience in the palm of her hand. While there were murmurs that Lucy Dacus may officiate a wedding (something she’s been leaning into more on tour), the real surprise came later in the night during The Killers’ headlining set, when Dacus returned for a duet of “Read My Mind.” It was a full-circle moment—boygenius famously covered the track during their 2018 tour—and seeing Dacus perform it with Brandon Flowers himself felt like indie canon being written in real time.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - EKKSTACY at Osheaga 2025
We first discovered EKKSTACY during his Sled Island set in 2024. He quickly gained momentum afterwards with a Juno nomination and today marked his Montreal debut on one of Osheaga’s bigger stages. Known for rising through the ranks on TikTok, the Vancouver-born artist didn’t hold back: “We’re not sure what music they play here,” he shrugged, “but we play punk rock.” He also hinted at relocating to Montreal and raved about how much he loved the city so far—a move the crowd seemed more than ready for, judging by the moshing and screams. He was followed immediately by Artemas, another viral success story whose crystal-clear vocals sounded like they were lifted straight off the record—a testament either to his tight performance or to the unmatched sound quality Osheaga continues to deliver.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Artemas at Osheaga 2025
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Jorja Smith at Osheaga 2025
As the sun set, Jorja Smith bathed the stage in slow-burning soul, captivating the crowd with her velvet vocals and cool composure. Closing out the night with maximalist flair was Doechii, in her first-ever Canadian performance. Draped in vines and performing on a lush, swamp-like stage, she fully embraced her Florida roots and the aesthetic of Alligator Bites Never Heal. The “swamp princess” persona came to life through every detail, from the choreography to the mossy, humid visuals. When she launched into “Alter Ego,” she didn’t even need to sing, the crowd did it for her, word-for-word, as she death dropped and vogued across the stage. The moment slid effortlessly into a bass-heavy blend of “Gypsy Woman,” turning the set into a ballroom-meets-dancehall dream. Midway through, Doechii paused to address the crowd directly: “Y’all can’t be scared to stand up for what you believe in. You can’t be scared to say what matters. Free Palestine.” Her words were met with cheers, adding a powerful political moment to an already unforgettable performance that is already making its rounds online.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Doechii at Osheaga 2025
Day One at Osheaga was a reminder of the unexpected moments and anticipatory magic that happens when artists at every level, from local legends to global headliners, share the same stage. Let’s see what Day Two has in store when the likes of Tyler The Creator, BBNO$, TV on the Radio, and Gracie Abrams take the stage.
