Crammed into the crowd, dripping wet from the constant drizzle of rain, I began to look around at the sheer variety of people who were all together freaking out during Bloc Party’s frantic performance of their now classic hit “Banquet”. People of all kinds were going nuts. Tough bro’s with skinny chicks on their shoulders were bouncing up and down, completely unafraid of losing their balance and dropping their partners . Twenty-something hipsters were jumping around, shaking uncontrollably, like small children who had just found their first candy store. Couples who had been sheltering themselves from the rain earlier dropped their umbrellas and danced like maniacs. All in all, people were having a good time (including myself). As I looked behind me past the avid fans who had packed in to see the band, hundreds of others casually stood on the surrounding hillside sipping beer and eating Poutine, enjoying the festival in their own right.

It was a perfect picture to summarize the three days spent at the 2012 Osheaga Music Festival. The Montreal-based music extravaganza was perfectly catered to suit both hardcore and casual music fans alike. With artists ranging all spans of popularity, from the cult-like following behind Sigur Ros to the budding fans supporting SBTRKT, the festival featured a near perfect line-up to suit the wide variety of people in attendance.

Our experience in Montreal was one hell of a time. There were highs (Sigur Rós) and lows (snobby beer guy), laughter and tears (not really we would never cry because we are grownups), and most importantly fun and more fun. A lot took place over the weekend but we’re here to give you the run-down. So here it goes, both The Good and The Bad from Osheaga 2012.

 The Good

1. Sigur Rós: So EPIC. Mind was blown by the massive sound Jónsi and Co. were able to create in a live setting.

2. SBTRKT: Biggest surprise of the festival. The crowd was huge and SBTRKT brings a whole new level of energy to their live show. Don’t miss these guys.

3. Bloc Party: As I explained above, people were going crazy during this show. Playing both old and new tunes, Bloc Party put on a great show and generated one of the most rowdy crowds of the weekend.

4. Passion Pit: Man these guys can really bring The FUN. The group was more than capable of recreating the expansive, joyful tunes found on both Manners and their newest release Gossamer.

5. Food/Drink: If you’ve never had Poutine, you haven’t lived. An added bonus was the large number of beer vendors simply walking around the festival, dishing out brews at your convenience. Trust us, this type of service is unique for a festival.

6. Montreal: This city is awesome. Make sure you get a chance to visit here at some point, even if it’s not for the festival. With neighborhoods that each have a distinct look and feel, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Make sure to brush up on your French beforehand!

The Bad

1. The Weeknd: Love him in the studio, but I honestly don’t see what all the hype is about his live act. Abel’s vocals are mediocre at best.

2. Stage Set-Up: Although the setting of Jean Drapeau Park was great, the placement of the stages did not make for easy travel between them. With the two main stages separated from the smaller ones via a 10 minute walk through the woods, it was difficult to bop around and see different artists. Even more annoying was the tight confines of the trail which led to the smaller stages, creating a funnel-like atmosphere.

With a fantastic line-up and an amazing host city, we will definitely be looking to attend Osheaga next year. Make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity if you have a chance to attend!

~B. Jones