Montreal’s Osheaga Music Festival is back this Friday, August 1st to August 3rd in celebration of its 18th anniversary. In anticipation of the festival, we picked 5 up-and-coming acts that you need to see. With a lineup of 80+ artists, we had a hard time choosing our Ones to Watch and wish we could feature each one. That being said, use this as a guide to plan out your Osheaga weekend. With long set times, it is more possible than ever to catch multiple artists playing during the same time frame. If you are not attending, use this guide as a reference for new artists to add to your playlists.
#1 Doechii
When and Where They’re Playing: Friday, August 1st
Similar Artists: Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, SZA.
Listen: “DENIAL Is A River” “Anxiety” “CATFISH”
Doechii, born Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon on August 14, 1998, in Tampa, Florida, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for her dynamic artistry and genre-defying sound. Emerging from a musically rich background—her father is rapper Snatcha Da Boss—she began her musical journey in high school, releasing her debut song “Girls” on SoundCloud in 2016 under the moniker Iamdoechii. Her breakthrough came in 2021 with the viral TikTok hit “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake,” propelling her into the spotlight and leading to a signing with Top Dawg Entertainment and Capitol Records in 2022, making her the first female rapper on TDE. Doechii’s 2024 mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, received critical acclaim and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, making her the third woman to win in this category. Known for her animated rap delivery and eclectic style, she draws comparisons to artists like Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott, and Doja Cat. Beyond music, Doechii made her acting debut in the 2023 drama film Earth Mama and has collaborated with artists such as Kodak Black, Tyler, the Creator, and Katy Perry. Her accolades include a Billboard Rising Star Award and multiple nominations from the MTV Video Music Awards, BET Awards, and Soul Train Music Awards.
#2 The Beaches
When and Where They’re Playing: Sunday, August 3rd
Similar Artists: Boygenius, Reneé Rapp, MUNA.
Listen: “Blame Brett” “Edge Of The Earth” “Last Girls At The Party”
The Beaches are a Canadian rock band from Toronto, formed in 2013, known for their electrifying blend of indie, garage, and glam rock. Comprising sisters Jordan (lead vocals/bass) and Kylie Miller (guitar), along with Leandra Earl (keyboards/guitar) and Eliza Enman-McDaniel (drums), the band initially performed under the name Done with Dolls before rebranding to The Beaches in 2013. Their debut album, Late Show (2017), produced by Emily Haines and James Shaw of Metric, featured the hit single “T-Shirt,” which topped the Billboard Canada Rock Chart and earned Gold certification. Subsequent releases include The Professional (2019), Future Lovers (2021), and Blame My Ex (2023), the latter of which won the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. Their 2025 album, No Hard Feelings, continues their exploration of personal themes, including vulnerability and accountability. The Beaches have opened for The Rolling Stones and Foo Fighters, and their music has been praised by Elton John, who described them as “Best Rock Album Of Last Year.”
#3 Gigi Perez
When and Where They’re Playing: Sunday, August 3rd
Similar Artists: Gracie Abrams, Lola Young, Chappell Roan.
Listen: “Sailor Song” “Fable” “Please Be Rude”
Gigi Perez is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has garnered attention for her emotionally resonant indie folk-pop music. Born on February 4, 2000, in Hackensack, New Jersey, and raised in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, Perez began her musical journey by teaching herself piano, ukulele, and guitar. She gained significant recognition in 2021 with her debut single “Sometimes (Backwood),” which went viral on TikTok and amassed over 18 million streams within a month. Following this success, she signed with Interscope Records and released her debut EP, How to Catch a Falling Knife, in 2023. In 2024, Perez achieved international acclaim with her single “Sailor Song,” which topped charts in multiple countries and entered the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut full-length album, At the Beach, in Every Life, released in April 2025, explores themes of grief, identity, and love, drawing inspiration from artists like Jeff Buckley, Phoebe Bridgers, and girl in red. Known for her poignant songwriting and ethereal vocals, Perez continues to captivate audiences with her introspective and heartfelt music.
#4 Kaleo
When and Where They’re Playing: Saturday, August 2nd
Similar Artists: X Ambassadors, Hozier, Vance Joy.
Listen: “Way Down We Go” “All The Pretty Girls” “Broken Bones”
KALEO is an Icelandic rock band formed in 2012 in Mosfellsbær, a suburb of Reykjavík. The group comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Jökull Júlíusson (also known as JJ), drummer Davíð Antonsson, bassist Daníel Kristjánsson, lead guitarist Rubin Pollock, and harmonicist Þorleifur Gaukur Davíðsson. Their name, meaning “the voice” in Hawaiian, reflects their distinctive sound, which blends blues, folk, and rock influences. After gaining local success with their self-titled debut album in Iceland, KALEO signed with Atlantic Records and relocated to Austin, Texas. Their 2016 album A/B achieved international acclaim, with the single “Way Down We Go” reaching double platinum status in the U.S. and topping the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The band received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance for “No Good” in 2017. KALEO has performed at major festivals such as Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza, and has opened for The Rolling Stones. Their music has been featured in various TV shows and films, including Grey’s Anatomy, Riverdale, and Logan. In 2025, they released their fourth studio album, Mixed Emotions, continuing to evolve their sound and reach a global audience.
#5 Damiano David
When and Where They’re Playing: Friday, August 1st
Similar Artists: Alex Warren, Benson Boone, Maneskin.
Listen: “Born With A Broken Heart” “Next Summer” “Voices”
Damiano David is an Italian singer and songwriter, best known as the charismatic frontman of the rock band Måneskin. Born on January 8, 1999, in Rome, he began his musical journey at age six and initially pursued basketball before dedicating himself to music. In 2016, he co-founded Måneskin, which gained prominence after finishing as runners-up on X Factor Italy in 2017. Their 2021 victory at the Eurovision Song Contest with “Zitti e buoni” catapulted them to international stardom. In 2025, David embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut album Funny Little Fears, a pop-infused project featuring collaborations with artists like Labrinth, Suki Waterhouse, and d4vd. The album delves into themes of vulnerability and self-discovery. David is set to embark on his first solo world tour in September 2025, spanning Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
You can still grab tickets to this year’s Osheaga Music Festival here. Stay tuned to our Instagram for coverage of this year’s festival.
Check out our coverage of the 2024 edition of Osheaga here.
Check out our coverage of the 2023 edition of Osheaga here.
Check out our coverage of the 2022 edition of Osheaga here.
