According to the Montreal Gazette, the 19th Osheaga Music and Arts Festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau drew a total of 151,000 attendees over its weekend run, marking the second-biggest attendance in the festival’s history. Festival director Nick Farkas noted that Saturday and Sunday reached sellout crowds, while Friday operated at 90 per cent capacity, setting the stage for the event’s upcoming 20th anniversary.
Festival Attendance Figures and Demographic Shifts
Total attendance reached 151,000 people passing through the gates, according to festival data reported by the Montreal Gazette. While 2023 remains the festival’s largest year—featuring headliners Rüfüs du Sol, Billie Eilish, and Kendrick Lamar—this year’s crowds demonstrated sustained high demand with back-to-back sellouts on Saturday and Sunday.
Demographic shifts marked the weekend, with more than 50 per cent of ticket buyers traveling from outside Quebec. That figure dropped from over 60 per cent in recent years, reflecting targeted programming choices by the festival team to appeal more directly to local Montrealers. Age distributions also skewed young, with 44 per cent of attendees falling between 18 and 24 years old, up from 35 per cent in 2025.
Headliners and Main Stage Performances
Sunday headliner Lorde delivered a performance that stopped the rain, according to the Montreal Gazette review. Flanked by two contemporary dancers, the 29-year-old artist navigated an ever-changing matrix of angled cameras and platforms atop large black cubes. Reflecting on her history with the event, Lorde told the crowd, “This is one of the coolest festivals in the world. I think I was 17 when I first played here.”
Saturday’s lineup featured Tate McRae, who drew large crowds to the main stage. The Calgary singer-songwriter delivered a choreographed and staged set backed by a crew of dancers. “Montreal’s always the loudest city on the tour,” McRae told the audience in appreciation of the reaction. Friday’s headliner Twenty One Pilots brought a mix of rock, electronic, and hip-hop influences to the opening night crowd.
Surprise Appearances and Local Curation
Quebec buzz band Angine de Poitrine delivered a surprise performance on Saturday afternoon. Rumours had swirled throughout Friday, and while Osheaga officially announced the set Saturday morning, the band’s name already appeared on T-shirts and posters across the site. Publicists and fans referenced the viral duo with widespread enthusiasm.
The polka-dot-costumed math-rock duo, consisting of alien siblings Khn and Klek de Poitrine, previously drew some 150,000 people to their free outdoor show at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in June. Because both the jazz festival and Osheaga are run by Evenko, organizers secured the group for both events.
Diverse Rock, Rap, and Indie Programming
Saturday’s schedule featured a heavy concentration of rock acts. Hometown indie outfit Wolf Parade performed anthems including “I’ll Believe in Anything,” while British rapper Little Simz, Swedish punks Viagra Boys, Scottish indie icons Franz Ferdinand, and Baltimore alt-punk group Turnstile filled out the afternoon lineups. New York artist Sombr also delivered a main-stage set.
Friday’s highlights included soul artist Leon Bridges, Wet Leg, Blood Orange, and a comeback set by The xx following a nearly eight-year hiatus, alongside New York indie band Geese. Sunday shifted toward rap and pop, featuring performances by Clipse, Gunna, Zara Larsson, and electronic music crew Major Lazer.
Did you know? More than 50 per cent of this year’s Osheaga attendees came from outside Quebec, a slight decrease from previous years as organizers intentionally courted local music fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people attended the festival?
A total of 151,000 people attended the festival over the weekend, according to official figures reported by the Montreal Gazette.
Who headlined the main stages?
The headliners included Twenty One Pilots on Friday and Lorde on Sunday.
What unexpected performances took place?
Quebec math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine made a surprise appearance on Saturday afternoon following their massive turnout at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in June.
What percentage of ticket buyers were local?
More than 50 per cent of attendees came from outside Quebec, reflecting a deliberate push by organizers to attract local Montreal audiences.
Explore more music festival coverage, check out artist interviews, or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on next year’s 20th-anniversary event.
Worth a look