Osheaga 2014
This past long
weekend the annual music and arts festival Osheaga overtook Montreal. The
festival was attended by over 150,000 music and art lovers from around the
world, a significant portion being from Toronto and the GTA. The
festival takes place at Parc Jean Drapeau, an island just outside of Montreal which
is encompassed by trees and natural landscaping that added to the beauty of
Osheaga. The organizers managed to incorporate the patches of trees by
stringing little lights throughout the forests and hanging hammocks for
spectators to relax. The forestry areas had a modern twist by also being free
wifi-lounges for attendees. The stages were named after parts of the natural
layout i.e. green stage, mountain stage, river stage etc.  |
| British Rock Band The Kooks |
The term
‘Osheaga’ is a term the settlers of Jacques Cartier and the Mohawks used when
the two first met. The settlers referred to the area they met the Mohawks as
large rapids in Quebec, whereas the Mohawks coined the term to refer to where
they first met the settlers who ‘shake hands’. The term Osheaga and the
festival represents Montreal’s heritage and origins as well as unity and
respect because the settlers and natives shook hands and were originally
welcomed as guests. Montreal did a fantastic job hosting this festival and was
hospitable to international acts and patrons. All of Montreal from the shops,
restaurants, bars and metro embraced the festival and its guests and celebrated
together.
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| Jack White closing the show saturday night on the main stage |
The festival line-up was all encompassing and there were acts for any fan of any
genre to enjoy. This year’s line-up included performances by Skrillex,
Outkast, The Arctic Monkeys, Jack White, Lorde, July Talk, Chromeo, Awolnation,
Serena Ryder, Kate Nash and so many more. The stages were perfectly positioned
as there was no noise bleed between them. Every stage and every act had a
different vibe making it feel like multiple
concerts. Overall the different music tastes and vibes of the multiple stages
intertwined and gelled perfectly together.
Osheaga was an
incredible experience and if you have not attended the festival in the past
it’s a must for next year’s tenth anniversary!
#Osheaga2014 #ExperienceYourCountry
Photos from Osheaga website (www.osheaga.com).
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