August
Eclipse Festival
When: Thursday, August 3rd until Monday, August 7th, 2017.
Location: 215 Ch de la Rivière-Gatineau, Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau QC J0X 2X0
Why you should go: Located north of Ottawa in the forest by the Gatineau River is Eclipse Festival, a 5-day camping festival. Eclipse is a place where fantasy and music collide with a beautiful natural surrounding. The lineup is quite robust with international talent coming from the U.K., Brazil, Israel, Mexico, and more. This festival is an intimate escape and after 5-days of dancing, you're more than likely to meet a lot of friendly faces.
Osheaga Festival Musique et Arts
When: Friday, August 4th until Sunday, August 6th, 2017.
Location: Parc Jean - Drapeau, Montreal, QC.
Why you should go: If you've never been to Osheaga, then maybe this year is the one you check out as Montreal's premiere festival is bringing another stacked lineup for 2017. Osheaga has been one of the leaders of bringing forward thinking lineups to Canada for years, as they always somehow book acts that get music aficionados all nodding in unison. Names like Petit Biscuit, Lido, Griz, and Sam Gellaitry are great for those that love seeing the next big act while Major Lazer, Justice and Zeds Dead deliver the big headlining sets. Osheaga is an excellent well run festival that caters to the music lover in all of us.
Must-see artists: Justice, Zeds Dead, Petit Biscuit, Sam Gellaitry, Mija, Nina Kraviz, Snails.
Veld Music Festival
When: Saturday, August 5th until Sunday, August 6th, 2017.
Location: Downsview Park, 1-35 Carl Hall Road, Toronto, ON, M3K 2B6
Why you should go: In a few short years Veld has grown from a fresh on the scene festival to one of the largest in Canada. Set at Downsview Park north of the downtown centre, Veld promises to be bigger and better than ever as they've added a third stage for the first time in 2017. One big change is the addition of hip hop acts including Future, Migos, Tory Lanez, Lil Uzi Vert, and more. The festival is still heavily based on electronic dance music, but they have taken the first steps at attracting a wider audience. Expect to hear a lot of bass, house/techno, and big room as Veld offers a selection of each. If you want to see a rare set, you cannot miss Sasha & John Digweed at the Sony Xperia Stage. The last they came to Canada was all the way back in 2008.
Must-see artists: Zedd, Tchami, Sasha & Digweed, Nicole Moudaber, Slushii, Medasin, Slander.
Chasing Summer
When: Saturday, August 5th until Sunday, August 6th, 2017.
Location: Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds, 1001 Barlow Trail SE, Calgary, AB.
Why you should go: Alberta's largest electronic dance music festival returns with a huge lineup led by the legendary Tiesto, chart topping talent Zedd, Dutch duo W&W, and future house star Jauz. This year's Chasing Summer features mostly bass names with a sprinkle of big room, and a hint of a few more genres to round it out. There is a lot to enjoy about the lineup as there is a good balance between established artists and fast up and coming ones like REZZ, Illenium, and Slushii.
Must-see artists: Zedd, REZZ, NGHTMRE, Slushii, What So Not, /ˈlo͞osid/.
Shambhala Music Festival
When: Wednesday, August 9th until Monday, August 14th, 2017.
Location: Salmo River Ranch, Salmo, B.C.
Why you should go: If you haven't gotten your tickets back in September last year – then you're out of luck as this year's Shambhala was sold out in a mere 16 hours! Shambhala is entering its 20th year with a great lineup and a reputation that has grown leaps and bounds in Western Canada and in the United States. Shambhala has a unique vibe with specially made stages that hosts some of the biggest names in bass/house music. The lineup is huge and varied as they're bringing the likes of A-trak, Adventure Club, REZZ, Jai Wolf, Jauz, Kill The Noise, Shaun Frank, and much much more. Shambhala isn't simply a festival, it's a full spectrum experience.
Must-see artists: Ekali, Excision, Medasin, REZZ, NGHTMRE, Haywyre, Chris Lake, Phaeleh, Pomo, Ephwurd, Destructo.
ÎLESONIQ Music Festival
When: From Friday, August 11th until Saturday, August 12th, 2017.
Location: Parc Jean-Drapeau, 1 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, QC, H3C 1A9.
Why you should go: The ÎLESONIQ music festival's is the only electronic music focused festival in Montreal as the organizers take great care to put together a mix of artistic talent that span multiple genres for fans over 3 stages. Once ÎLESONIQ starts, the festival turns Parc Jean-Drapeau into a fully immersed festival experience with well laid out stages, designated chill out areas, lots of food options, and a fantastic VIP area. Once you're on the festival grounds, Montreal fades away amongst the trees as you delve into the ÎLESONIQ experience.
Must-see artists: Malaa, Louis The Child, REZZ, Ghastly, Slushii, Excision, Lookas, Medasin, Robotaki, Afrojack, Alan Walker, Grum, Pure NRG Live (Solarstone + Giuseppe Ottaviani), John O'Callaghan.
Atmosphere Gathering
When: Friday, August 18th until Sunday, August 20th, 2017.
Where: Cumberland, Vancouver Island, B.C.
Lineup: Stylust beats, Kytami, DJ Shub, Moontricks, Neon Steve + Much More.
Motion Notion Festival
When: From Thursday, August 24th until Monday, August 28th, 2017.
Where: Beaverfoot Lodge & Resort, 4220 Beaverfoot Road, Golden, B.C. (2.5 hours drive from Calgary, 8 hours from Vancouver)
Why you should go: Motion Notion is going big this year with a much bigger lineup than in years past and under new ownership. The headliners reflect the diversity of the overall lineup with bass veteran Datsik, psy-trance's Avalon, DnB trio Dirtyphonics, Glitch hop's Koan Sound, chillwave duo The M Machine, and the versatile Minnesota. If you're looking for a festival wanting to make a strong impression with a sick lineup surrounded in a beautiful nature setting, then check out Motion Notion.
Must-see artists: Minnesota, Dirtyphonics, John '00' Fleming, S.P.Y, Space Jesus