WATCH ABOVE: You know it’s summer in the city when Osheaga rolls around. The music festival hits Parc Jean Drapeau this Friday to Sunday. Global’s Rachel Lau got a tour of the site on Wednesday.
PARC JEAN-DRAPEAU – One of Montreal’s biggest music festivals, Osheaga, is just two days away – Outkast is performing, Foster the People are performing and Lorde is set to entertain the crowds at Parc Jean-Drapeau on Sunday.
With some of music’s biggest names set to take the stage, founder Nick Farkas admits he couldn’t be happier.
“Skrillex, Jack White, Outkast, Arctic Monkeys, Lorde, Sam Roberts, Half Moon Run, I think we’ve really covered all the bases,” he said.
“I’m very excited, looking forward to year number nine.”
Things are right on track, which means there’s still a lot left to do before Osheaga officially opens its doors on Friday.
“We try to keep it interesting and keep the festival evolving from year to year so when people show up there’s still that wow factor,” he said.
READ MORE: Lorde, Outkast among acts coming to Montreal’s Osheaga festival
Organizers have made a few changes this year.
Some, like the newly installed delay towers, are supposed to improve sound for festival-goers.
“This year we had engineers of sound coming with me to make sure that we provide the best quality sound for the people who pay the tickets,” said Patrick Fortaich, Director of Production for the festival.
Other additions are just for fun – a good way to showcase local talent.
“As the festival’s grown we’ve gotten more and more recognition,” said Farkas.
“Sometimes it’s hard to find spots for the local bands so we added a sixth stage this year so we can continue to have that mission.”
Celebrity chef Chuck Hughes is also in town to prepare his own stage.
He’s catering the event for the fourth year in a row.
“We’re running around but everything’s going kind of according to plan,” he said.
“This is where the artists come and eat and just hang out and have a good time so we’re kind of setting the tone, setting the mood.”
Osheaga is an international hit now, with more than 50 per cent of festival-goers coming from out of town.
Despite its success, Farkas says for him it’s still all about the small things.
“The Replacements are one of my favourite bands of all time,” he said.
“I traveled to see them a lot when I was a kid and the fact that they’ve re-formed after 20 years is a complete shock to me.”
Make sure to watch Friday’s episode of Summer In The City to catch up on all the action.
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