Lizzo, Bon Iver, Brittany Howard, KENDRICK LAMAR. This year's Osheaga lineup was looking GOOD. In fact, things were looking SO GOOD that (for the first time in four years) I was ready to brave the dirty, depraved crowds for a FULL 3-DAY WEEKEND.
But the universe had different plans. Today should have been Day One of the festival. Instead of trekking out to Parc Jean-Drapeau, I'm home on my patio, watching Reggie sunbathe. (Hey, things could be worse!) I thought it would be fun to reminisce on my very best memories from past Osheagas. If you'd like to join me down memory lane, then load up a Spotify playlist and let's go!
(2009 -- my first time going) With my dear pal, Leila. Beyond excited for Rufus Wainwright and the Arctic Monkeys. Getting absolutely drenched in a passing downpour. I've had some of my biggest belly laughs with this girl by my side, but let me tell you: Trying to share a poncho together while torrential rain courses down our backs and into our shoes? That was one of the hardest laughs I've ever had.
(2010) Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes were MY BAND that year. Up From Below was my unofficial life soundtrack at the time, so seeing these hippies live felt incredibly special.
(2010) Arcade Fire was wrapping up their set. Josh and I started started inching toward the metro. To our surprise, we bumped into friends who'd left a song earlier, and the four of us had an impromptu dance party on the outskirts of the crowd. It was nice to end the show together!
(2011) The year a group of us were handed Wizard of Oz costumes and danced on stage with The Flaming Lips for their entire show. And I wasn't even drunk! Afterward, the dancers were invited backstage to ATTEND A WEDDING lol. Can't think of a more *festival* (or drug-addled) experience than getting hitched at midnight, behind a huge outdoor stage, in front of two dozen strangers and the lead singer of your favorite band.
(2012) It was my first time seeing Florence & The Machine and I was sooo excited. At the time, I still hadn't forgiven myself for bailing on her first ever show in Montreal. Finally seeing her onstage (not even headliner-status yet!) meant a lot to me.
(2012) Being caught in another epic downpour -- this time, with Josh. Woodkid was performing. As we watched huge black clouds roll in (and eventually open their floodgates), the band provided a perfect score to the oncoming storm.
(2012) Snoop Dogg took the stage and, all at once, the crowd basically exhaled a massive, atomic bomb-esque smoke cloud. Hilarious.
(2014) Seeing Nick Cave for the first (and probably only ever) time.
(2016) Radiohead puts on an intense, incredible show. They were the only reason we went to Osheaga that year. Early in the afternoon, our small group found a spot in the crowd, and basically didn't move until the band came out. I remember sharing snacks with the people around us, and being extremely grateful that I didn't have to pee, not even once!
Image credit (top): CurioCity
Image credit (bottom): StubHub
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