60,500 FESTIVALGOERS GATHERED FOR AN ELECTRIFYING WEEKEND
îLESONIQ, presented by Bell, turned Parc Jean-Drapeau into a true celebration of electronic music, bringing together 60,500 festivalgoers, 34% of whom came from outside Quebec, over two sun-soaked days.
The festival’s energy spread far beyond Jean-Drapeau Park starting on Friday evening, when îLESONIQ en ville kicked off the festivities in downtown venues. A series of official afterparties also allowed night owls to keep the party going late into the night on August 8 and 9.
Once again, îLESONIQ brought together some of the biggest names in the international electronic music scene, alongside innovative DJs and producers from all over the world. Spread across three stages, the artists took turns performing throughout the weekend, transporting the crowd from one musical universe to another. Beyond the music, this 11th edition once again brought to life the spirit of PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect), uniting a diverse audience in an inclusive atmosphere where sharing, freedom, and a shared passion were at the forefront.
On Saturday, a little rain certainly didn’t dampen festivalgoers’ spirits. As soon as the gates opened, the site came alive with festivalgoers rocking colorful, bold and distinctive outfits, ready to dance rain or shine. Ponchos or no ponchos, smiles and energy were in abundance!
It didn’t take long for bass music fans to make their presence felt. By 3 p.m., IZZY VADIM was already drawing an impressive crowd to the Coca-Cola NEON stage, where headbangers went wild to the sounds of the Montreal EDM artist. JKYL & HYDE then emerged on the same stage as one of the day’s standout discoveries for many, thanks in part to their musical selections. LYNY, making his Montreal debut, received a roaring welcome, with fans singing along to his tracks. Later, LAYZ and Kompany took the intensity up another notch with an electrifying B2B: moshpits, headbanging and fans moving almost in unison from start to finish. The bass community was definitely out in full force!
The artists also found plenty of ways to show Montreal some love. ATLiens traded in their signature extraterrestrial look for Montreal Canadiens gear as they closed out the Coca-Cola NEON stage. Making his second appearance at îLESONIQ, deadmau5 also paid tribute to the city, bringing the Bell OASIS stage to life with his remix of Angine de Poitrine’s “Fabienk,” a nod that was warmly received by the Montreal crowd. Earlier on the same stage, Sub Focus thrilled drum and bass enthusiasts with an energetic set infused with pop hits, creating one of the day’s standout crowd-pleasing moments.
The chemistry between Tiga and Boys Noize, longtime friends and collaborators, was undeniable as they came together for an exclusive B2B at îLESONIQ on the MIRAGE stage. Later, Boris Brejcha made his highly anticipated festival debut with his signature high-tech minimal sound. With a dark, theatrical universe and mesmerizing sound design, the German artist immersed Parc Jean-Drapeau in a captivating atmosphere, bringing the MIRAGE lineup to a spectacular close.
On the Bell OASIS stage, Crankdat brought a heavy dose of bass to the main stage, drawing headbangers well beyond their usual stomping grounds. From the front row to the back of the crowd, the energy was at an all-time high as festivalgoers were swept up in a powerful set packed with hard-hitting and unexpected remixes. To close out the first night on the main stage, Chris Lake & Friends had one final surprise in store for festivalgoers. Also celebrating his birthday, Chris Lake showed Montreal some love by wearing a Canadiens jersey before revealing the identity of his secret guests. Midway through his performance, Odd Mob, Chris Lorenzo and MPH joined him behind the decks for an unexpected and electrifying B4B, capping off a day filled with surprises.
On Sunday, the second day of îLESONIQ came alive with an explosive mix of sounds, styles and festival energy. Despite the heat, festivalgoers, dressed in colorful, coordinated outfits, returned to Parc Jean-Drapeau ready to make the most of every moment. From exciting discoveries and Montreal debuts to the return of festival favourites, the day delivered one memorable performance after another, right up to the very last note.
On the MIRAGE stage, Montreal artist KATTANA made a striking îLESONIQ debut, drawing a large crowd eager to support the local talent. Stoog3s To Death, the B2B bringing together Stoned to Death (Stoned Level and Muerte) and Stoog3s (Hamro, Squishi and Blvnkface), also made its mark with a successful world premiere. Meanwhile, Hedex made his highly anticipated Montreal debut, bringing the hard-hitting sounds of jump up to îLESONIQ.
Later that day, LEVEL UP B2B INFEKT delivered a completely wild performance, reminding everyone why both artists have become beloved îLESONIQ regulars. Wooli then cemented his status as a major force in the bass scene. Between moshpits and his undeniable connection with Montreal fans, the artist even sent his massive mascot crowd-surfing! To close out the MIRAGE stage, Seven Lions brought a touch of nostalgia by inviting Dabin, who had performed on the same stage earlier in the day, to join him for their classic “First Time.” The reunion was an instant hit!
On the Coca-Cola NEON stage, NOVAH showed exactly why her name continues to generate so much buzz. The intensity climbed even higher with performances by KI/KI and ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, each drawing festivalgoers into their own high-energy world. Holy Priest then took over to close out the stage with an explosive set, capping off a day that showcased the musical diversity of this year’s edition.
On the Bell OASIS stage, HAYLA stole the show with her breathtaking voice and remarkable stage presence. Clearly delighted to be performing at îLESONIQ, the British singer, known in part for her collaborations with John Summit, delivered a performance that was as powerful as it was captivating.
To cap off the weekend, Dom Dolla returned to the festival for his second appearance, taking over the Bell OASIS stage to close out the 11th edition of îLESONIQ. Clearly happy to be back in Montreal, the Australian artist showed his appreciation for the Montreal audience, calling it one of the best in the world. He kept Parc Jean-Drapeau dancing until the festival’s final notes, as fireworks lit up the sky and brought the weekend to a euphoric close.
