VELD 2026: Built to Endure

By Ryan Hayes

For its thirteenth outing, VELD is throwing its weight around as an established mainstream cornerstone of the Canadian EDM festival circuit. With 50 acts, this year’s lineup is engineered to satisfy as many fandoms as possible. The headliners are all proven, the genre coverage is wide, and the event is clearly focused on instant artist recognition and scale. There’s no boutique play here, no attempt to break new ground—but in an age of rising costs and festival insecurity, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

VELD 2026 aims to deliver a reliable, massive weekend resting on the shoulders of dance music titans and reinforced by accessible bass. And honestly, that’s a valid mission statement in a market that increasingly craves communal escapism.

This year’s curation leans heavily on high energy acts, with a somewhat unexpected reliance on trance. Whether pure and classic (Armin & Above & Beyond), trance-inspired progressive (Artbat, KX5, Miss Monique), or refracted through a techno lens (Charlotte de Witte and Sara Landry), trance is one of VELD 2026’s defining through-lines. It’s less about genre purity and more about emotional resonance. VELD’s programming prioritizes spectacle, emotional peaks, and big-room, all-in moments.

Beyond traditional mainstage euphoria, there’s a clear secondary focus on the rising mainstream power of bass. Subtronics, Slander, Illenium, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Crankdat, Levity, Ray Volpe, and others bring chaotic torrents of peak-time energy designed to keep massive crowds fully engaged.

House music is represented but downplayed—offering just enough star power to ensnare house heads and convince them the lineup is worth their time. Here, big names like Fisher, Disco Lines, and Mau P carry the genre. There’s also a smattering of more EDM-leaning acts set to deliver a flavor of digestible mainstream, house-adjacent sets: Galantis, Frank Walker, & Lost Frequencies.

Although the lineup is light on them, if you’re hungry for the unknown—underground-adjacent artists you can claim as your personal 2026 discoveries—make sure to catch ¥ØU$UK€ ¥€, Panteros666, and Effin. While the three share little sonically, these are your “avoid autopilot” choices: the sets most likely to feel like discovery rather than consumption. Two additional standouts—less underground and more under-commercialized—are Lilly Palmer and Genesi. You’ll likely recognize a few of their productions; at the very least, their styles will be familiar, and they’re both primed to deliver.

Ultimately, VELD 2026 knows exactly what it is—and executes that vision with confidence. It’s a festival built on familiarity and emotional long-term fan payoff, designed to deliver a massive weekend for a broad audience rather than challenge it. Guaranteed escapism.

This year, VELD doesn’t redefine anything—but that isn’t the mission statement of every festival, nor should it be. What this lineup does accomplish is firmly securing the festival’s place as one of Canada’s most dependable—and consistently attractive—pillars within a dwindling festival landscape.

Pressure & Play: Open Radius Finds Its Balance

By Ryan Hayes

Year three of Blueprint’s Foundation Series festival Open Radius feels like the payoff of a carefully paced long game. In year one, FISHER and Purple Disco Machine anchored the weekend with an accessible, feel-good house. Year two pushed further outward with John Summit delivering a less mainstream focused set and Sara Landry nudging the crowd deeper into house’s harder sub-genres. Now, in year three, Charlotte de Witte and Peggy Gou are a confident step forward, a natural progression.

Blueprint didn’t push too hard, didn’t rush its audience towards the deep end; they’ve slowly and intentionally built a house-literate fanbase. Open Radius v14.0 headliners mirror the confidence of the FVDED’s lineup: poignant, timely, and unmistakably earned.

Charlotte de Witte’s sound is built on driving pressure and precision release—her sets are hypnotic, trance-infected modern techno designed for total live immersion. Tracks like “The Age of Love (Charlotte de Witte & Enrico Sangiuliano Remix)” and “Doppler” are standouts: long-form tension, rolling momentum, and pinpoint accurate release that hits hardest when shared in a sea of bodies. Locked into a synchronise pulse Charlotte’s journey promises to be dark, driving, and consuming.

Peggy Gou sits on the other side of the spectrum, radiating warmth, groove, and playfulness. Tracks like “Starry Night” and “(It Goes Like) Nanana” capture her broad appeal: infectious melodies and bouncing basslines that project a sense of joy. Peggy turns dancefloors into a communal celebration rather than drop riddled spectacle.

Together, they set a perfect emotional balance for the weekend, and we’d expect the remainder of the artists to follow suit. Both Charlotte and Peggy have spent years refining their craft—touring relentlessly, building labels, shaping their respective scenes, and earning their prestige and authority the hard way. Here credibility is key. And in a scene overwhelmingly dominated by male headliners, an all-female top billing matters—a reflection of where dance music should continue to head. Talent first and foremost.

With 22 artists across two days, Open Radius isn’t about excess. It feeds off direction and focus. Charlotte de Witte and Peggy Gou provide exactly that—and they are more than enough reason to trust this year's festival will be worth your time.

For tickets, click here.

Full Escapade lineup including Tiesto, Alan Walker, Crankdat, Hi-Lo, Illenium, Fisher, Slander + More!

Escapade, one of the top tier festivals in Canada, will take place in Ottawa from June 26th to the 28th, 2026. This year’s lineup is packed with a variety of top headliners like Tiesto, Illenium, Fisher, while trance fans will be pleased with Cosmic Gate, bass fans with Crankdat, and more.

There’s a lot to be chew at with this lineup as it exhibits a depth of talent rarely seen in other festivals as of late which will make you want to get there as the gates open as you don’t want to miss what’s coming up next.

From old but still relevant names like Nicky Romero to new upcoming talent like Knock2, Escapade will have something for everyone. Escapade is always a fan favourite and the 2026 edition is expected to delight fans with such a robust lineup.

For ticket details, click here.

No Looking Back: How FVDED 2026 Signals a New Era for Blueprint

By Ryan Hayes

A Festival Leaning Into Momentum

After returning for two years, FVDED’s 2026 lineup feels less like a course correction designed to secure the festival’s future and more like a confident affirmation of what it was always meant to be. In hindsight, the signs were already there—2025 began nudging in this direction—but the progress was necessarily incremental after a dazzling, mainstream-heavy 2024. With 2026, Blueprint finally puts all its cards on the table.

“Fisher and Dom Dolla are, by far, the safest and most bankable bets on the poster”

— Ryan Hayes

Next year’s lineup is built around momentum—dominated by artists actively shaping the current moment rather than living off past peaks. Blueprint’s booking philosophy is clear: the dance floor comes first, and artists with viral, grassroots-grown fandoms eclipse the importance of traditional commercial success. 2026 is unapologetically tuned to what’s moving diehard EDM fans right now—the kind who book flights for thoughtfully curated events. It’s a reaffirmation that Blueprint is once again dialed in to where EDM’s true fanbase has always lived—on the outskirts of mainstream culture.

The lineup marks a shift back towards Blueprint’s historic highs, when their bookings were consistently ahead of the curve instead of chasing it. It’s a clear message to the public: FVDED is now established enough, after a two-year rebirth, that it no longer needs to pander to commercial legacy. To some, 2026 may read as a year with less obvious star power—but it’s one of the most accurate reflections of the current scene the festival has presented in at least a decade. You may not recognize every name on the poster yet, but trust FVDED. Trust Blueprint. Buy tickets. Explore the breadth of the roster. Prepare over the six months leading into the weekend. This lineup is it.

The Headliners: A Statement of Intent

While Fisher and Dom Dolla are, by far, the safest and most bankable bets on the poster—and that’s not a criticism—their combined 22.7M monthly Spotify listeners stand in sharp contrast to last year’s top two billings, which totaled 50.2M, more than double the global reach. That said, Fisher and Dom are perfect representations of modern house at its most accessible, recognizable, and festival-ready. They may cast a narrower net than past headliners, but their fanbases are more active—and far more likely to show up. A higher level of commercial recognition no longer guarantees higher ticket sales, just as radio hits no longer make or break an artist. The landscape has shifted, and these headliners reflect that shift—the next generation of headliners will ensure FVDED remains commercially viable without feeling regressive.

FVDED’s new philosophy continues with Mau P, Knock2, and Disco Lines—all artists who have risen to prominence in the 2020s. Whether it’s Mau P’s groove, Knock2’s chaotic, bass-driven enthusiasm, or Disco Lines’ unforgettable hooks, these bookings point directly to where younger audiences are gravitating. They represent true crossover—digital discovery that translates seamlessly into physical turnout—and it’s exactly what modern festivals need to survive.

“Big shoutout to Nia Archives, who—until FVDED’s lineup dropped—had eluded my knowledge but now stands out as a particularly bold booking.”

— Ryan Hayes

Then there’s GRiZ—a personal favourite and perhaps the biggest headliner gamble. It may be a stretch, but for a loyal group of diehards, he’s the emotional anchor of the entire lineup. Returning after a two-year hiatus, his presence carries a surprising amount of weight. There’s been a clear push to reintroduce him to the scene, acting as a soft rebrand that positions him as a universal headliner. With releases dating back fifteen years—longer than anyone else on the 2026 roster—he now occupies the legacy slot. But that stature is new for GRiZ, and he bends the norms of a classic golden-age headliner. Sonically, he blends bass music with soul, funk, and genuine charismatic warmth. He brings heart, and a deeply dedicated fanbase. He may not carry the same sway as names that have historically topped a FVDED poster, but he has the talent—and you’ll undoubtedly walk away a fan.

The New Wave: What the Rest of the Lineup Says

Beyond the headliners is where FVDED 2026 truly comes into focus. The depth of the lineup is proof of a mission statement rooted in cultural relevance, and this is where Blueprint’s future-thinking approach crystalizes.

Artists like Marlon Hoffstadt, Odd Mob, OMNOM, Notion, & Linska represent the festival’s bracket of rising house and techno stars—the talent is global, the soundscape is diverse, and each artist has cut their teeth and proven they’re built to handle dense crowds at high-energy stages.

Nia Archives, Hedex, MPH, and Oppidan stand out as Blueprint’s deliberate embrace of UK-influenced bass and genre-bending artists. If you aren’t already familiar with their work, dive in and dig around—it will surely reward your curiosity. These bookings push beyond bland, North America–centric festival norms. Big shoutout to Nia Archives, who—until FVDED’s lineup dropped—had eluded my knowledge but now stands out as a particularly bold booking. She’s described her sound as a blend of chaotic, intense jungle with deep emotion; it didn’t exactly clear anything up for me, but it feels perfectly apt—and her vocals add a soulful layer to every production.

Levity B2B Wooli is a big swing and a calculated risk. The acts stand on the opposite ends of the bass music spectrum, and their set is sure to prove a collision of thick dubstep basslines, distorted growling drops, and melodic bass bounce. Purposeful chaos designed to accentuate the interplay between tension and euphoria.

TroyBoi stands out as a wildcard, having made his FVDED debut a decade ago in 2016. His style has continued to evolve, proving him to be an artist who refuses to be boxed in. He may be a legacy act at this point, but one content to operate on the fringe—constantly exploring sonic variation.

A Different Bet — FVDED vs the rest

When viewed alongside the only other major Canadian EDM festival to have fully announced its 2026 lineup—VELD—FVDED’s strategy stands in sharp contrast. VELD leans on proven star power and legacy bookings to cast the widest possible net—the standard festival formula. FVDED, by comparison, is making a more deliberate, future-facing bet on momentum, relevance, and fan trust—though it remains to be seen whether the broader festival-going audience is ready for that shift.

This isn’t a knock on VELD; it’s simply a different philosophy. Much like Shambhala, which routinely sells out without relying on top-heavy star power, FVDED is solidifying its boutique identity and betting that vibe, curation, and community loyalty matter more than instant name recognition. By prioritizing artists with active, invested fanbases and a lineup that rewards exploration, FVDED isn’t just protecting its legacy—it’s ensuring it evolves with the scene. VELD may be the more bankable play today, but FVDED’s 2026 is clearly attempting to build the kind of trust that can sustain a festival for the next decade.

What This Lineup Says About FVDED’s Future

Everyone talks about the “golden age” of EDM, but the fixation, propelled by aging fans missing the good old days, dilutes the current scene. FVDED 2026 isn’t chasing nostalgia, it’s staking a forward-facing claim that it understands where electronic music is going with the wide-eyed hope that the “golden age” lives.

Dominated by a diverse array of house, sprinkled with poignant bass acts, and amplified by UK and European club culture influences. This is a lineup designed for movement, for crowds that want to dance, not just film drops.

FVDED separates itself from the pack—not by playing it safe, but by betting on the future. This is a new wave of curation that returns Blueprint to its heights, and a clear signal of where the brand is headed next.

2026 isn’t about who was the biggest ten years ago—it’s about who matters right now.

And that’s a very good place for FVDED to be.

Chris Lake Ascends: Chemistry Tour Marks the Moment

By Ryan Hayes

The Forum was hot—sticky—teeming with diehard house heads on different levels of musical voyage. A communal affair, orchestrated by an expert curator guiding the crowd through his singular vision. For better or worse, there’s no turning back for Chris Lake. The Chemistry Tour marks his full ascension into the spotlight. After two decades of operating with underground instincts, the veteran producer has arrived at his biggest moment yet—full headliner status. 2025 delivered not only his sophomore album Chemistry, but also a relentless run of heater collaborations and remixes—each one sharpened by Lake’s unmistakable production style.

Friday’s sold-out show was a tour de force—a reflection of Lake’s legendary 2025 run. The crowd arrived early and stayed locked in for the entire set. This tour finally delivered the Chris Lake show I’d always hoped for—fourth time’s the charm. He worked through over half of Chemistry, anchoring the night with originals and remixes.

“ A return to form, where EDM exists as shared escapism—experienced in unity, not filtered through a lens.”

— Ryan Hayes

The night began with Jackie Hollander on support duties. At the tail end of her first full year of touring, her set was a moody, vibes-driven affair that perfectly set the tone for Lake’s more energetic two-hour sprint. As Hollander closed out with “LSD,” Lake took the stage and kicked things off with a pitch-perfect intro edit of “On & On,” before dropping straight into the bombastic “La Noche,” locking in the room’s full attention from the jump.

As crowds continue to skew older, so do the remixes—and they were unapologetically millennial-coded: “Kids,” “Show Me Love,” “Short Skirt/Long Jacket,” and “Galvanize.” What stood out just as much was the lack of phones. Whether that’s specific to Chris Lake’s audience (I noticed the same at Duke Dumont) or part of a broader shift is hard to say, but the effect was undeniable—maybe a hundred screens in a sea of four thousand people. In an era obsessed with documenting everything, it felt like a quiet correction. A return to form, where EDM exists as shared escapism—experienced in unity, not filtered through a lens.

Pinprick moments littered the night. The first flash of lasers saved for Lake’s remix of Ray Volpe’s “Laserbeam” sent a jolt through the room. “Savana” turning the pocket around me feral. Experiencing the perfection of “In the Yuma” live. And “one2three”—in all its buttery groovy glory—hypnotizing everyone into the same rhythm. What made the night hit harder was the crowd’s fluency. Every twist was met with recognition, whether it was Anti Up cuts, Sammy Virji collaborations, or Black Book staples. That shared understanding created a collective moment. As dance music has recalibrated in the post-pandemic era, nights like Friday prove the result isn’t dilution, but devotion: a sharper, more invested fanbase that shows up to be present, informed, and fully in it together.

The Chemistry Tour is Chris Lake’s moment. It proves his ascent isn’t fueled by hype, but by decades of discipline, vision, and trust in his own sensibilities. Everyone at the Forum witnessed Lake step into full headliner status in real time. There is no going back—Chris Lake is a dance music icon.