Your 2015 Osheaga survival guide

WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO

A bucolic music and arts festival in beautiful Parc Jean-Drapeau, across the St. Lawrence from downtown Montréal, put on by Evenko to unite some of the world’s best acts in an open-air site. From Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2, get ready to party to live performances by Florence + The Machine, The Black Keys, NAS, Interpol, Kendrick Lamar, St. Vincent, The Kills, Run the Jewels, First Aid Kit, A Tribe Called Red, Young Fathers, Sza, Milk Bone and Cri – and sooo muuuuch mooore. Truly, it’s a never-ending gold-plated, chewy-centered lineup!

THE PROCEEDINGS

At press time all tickets except for the Gold Pass ($225 for single-day access plus awesome perks) are sold out, but if you’re a latecomer then get yourself some gold online or by phone at 1-855-310-2525. You’ll be asked for your pass upon entry onto the site, to open your bag, and to empty any liquids you have on you. Festivalgoers are welcome to bring a clear plastic water bottle with them onsite, to fill at the water stations.

WHAT TO BRING

Like any other large-scale festival, there are a few essentials: First on the list would be comfy shoes, as you’ll be hiking the stretch of that site over and over to get to see all the amazing shows going on simultaneously. Loose, light, and creative clothing – it can get very hot in Montréal at this time of the year, and people can look very hot too! Osheaga is a prime location for festivalwear-watching – the outfits give even Coachella a run for its money. Hats and shades are great too, because there’d be nothing lamer than missing Forlence + The Machine because you’re sunstroke. You’ll also be thankful for a rain poncho or an umbrella in the case of a summer shower.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

There’s a laundry list of prohibited items that won’t be allowed on site: Alcohol, ilegal drugs and paraphernalia, glass bottles and cans, hard-sided coolers and lunch boxes (but you can bring food for personal consumption like a sandwich, fruit or a granola bar). Also not allowed are pets (except for service dogs), megaphones, musical instruments, fireworks, flags and banners, beach balls, soccer balls, Frisbees, large sports umbrellas, folding chairs, skateboards, camping-style backpacks, tents, laser pointers, water gun or misters, professional video and audio recording equipment, items intended for sale or promotion, firearms (or weapons of any kind), selfie sticks or similar monopods, drones and finally, but not leastly, First Nations headdress and other feather headdresses, because duh, they’re offensive and in very poor taste.

To get to the festival: It’s simple: take the metro. Get off at Jean-Drapeau station, and you’re but a few feet from the Osheaga site entrance. For other modes of transportation, check out the details here.

IMPORTANT ON-SITE INFO

All that music giving you the munchies (or the thirsties)?: The site is scattered with kiosks for beer, wine and mixed drinks, as well as tons of amazing food stations and food trucks that are worth the trip in and of themselves! The food selection is curated by YUL EAT!, a new Evenko festival launching this September.

For the younger music fans in your entourage: Osheaga is an all-ages event, so families are welcome! That said, no one under the legal age of 18 will be served alcohol, and it’s up to parents to judge whether performances are age-appropriate for the young’uns.

If you lose something, don’t panic: The lost found is located at the information kiosk near the site entrance. Staff will be happy to help reunite you with your lost item, but if ever finding it proves more difficult, send an email to prodfest@evenko.ca, including a detailed description of your lost item, or call 514-521-7469, and someone will follow-up as soon as possible.

And in the event that you party too hearty: Medical staff are constantly present on site. Be sure to bring all prescribed medication you may need and have a safe good time. While it’s important to have fun, monitor your consumption of alcohol and be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and juice throughout the day. Also make sure to take breaks from the sun if needed (see above note about a hat). Which brings us to…

The chill zones: When you need a breather from all the excitement, there are plenty of trees for shade on the site, and spots where you can chillax and catch up on WiFi. From the Molson Canadian zone to the HM tent to the Smirnoff house, they’re all listed here. Enjoy!