Osheaga Music Festival
![After Backlash, slowthai Forced to Confirm “Destroy [Swastika]” Shirt Was Anti-Fascism](https://www.wazupnaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/after-backlash-slowthai-forced-to-confirm-destroy-swastika-shirt-was-anti-fascism-1050x600.jpg)
![After Backlash, slowthai Forced to Confirm “Destroy [Swastika]” Shirt Was Anti-Fascism](https://www.wazupnaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/after-backlash-slowthai-forced-to-confirm-destroy-swastika-shirt-was-anti-fascism-80x80.jpg)
After Backlash, slowthai Forced to Confirm “Destroy [Swastika]” Shirt Was Anti-Fascism
Festivals require artists to think about close and far, longtime fans and newcomers, and now, apparently, whether an explicitly anti-fascist shirt can be misinterpreted as pro-Nazi. Facing a backlash, both Osheaga and slowthai have apologized after the UK rapper wore a t-shirt that said “Destroy” above a Swastika during his festival set. As Pitchfork points out, the shirt was inspired by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s famous 1977 “Destroy” design. Historical context aside, slowthai’s performance took place on a stage with large video displays, suggesting that even distant viewers could have spotted the word “Destroy” if they looked for it in good faith. “i’m sorry to anyone who is offended by me wearing an anti-fascist / anti-regime t-shirt and the use of the symbol...
Osheaga Festival 2022 Recap: After Two Years Off, Arcade Fire, Dua Lipa, and More Heat Up Montreal
Of all the times to be visiting Montreal, this past weekend (July 29th-31st) was the one: not only was the annual comedy festival Just For Laughs wrapping up at various venues throughout the city, Osheaga Festival was making its grand return at the Parc Jean Drapeu for the first time since 2019. These events, along with near-perfect weather and a summertime spirit, saw thousands flocking to the city, with musicians, comedians, and lovers of both enjoying all that Montreal has to offer. Osheaga is more than just a typical city festival — over the last several years, Osheaga has gotten all the more curated, with many festival exclusives, local favorites, and some undeniable stars gracing their many stages. This year, which marked the 15th anniversary of the festival, was no different, but th...
Arcade Fire Kick Off Tour with Heart and Soul at Montreal’s Osheaga Festival: Review
Arcade Fire pick and choose their moments very carefully. It’s fitting that the Montreal band decided to release their first album in five years, the ambitious and heartfelt WE, in a pandemic-affected universe, urging us to relish in the fact that we are still, in fact, alive. It’s even more fitting that Arcade Fire began their extensive WE tour in Montreal, the band’s birthplace, at Osheaga Festival, which is celebrating its first year back since 2019. However, Arcade Fire’s appearance at Osheaga on Friday night (July 29th) was a stroke of good and bad luck: originally scheduled to headline were Foo Fighters, who cancelled all their tour dates after the untimely death of drummer Taylor Hawkins. But nabbing Arcade Fire as a replacement headliner is an excellent booking, and their pres...
Osheaga Festival 2020 Postponed Due to Coronavirus
Osheaga Festival 2020 has officially been postponed until next summer due to the coronavirus. This year would’ve marked the Montreal event’s 15th anniversary. “Unfortunately this year, given the circumstances, we have no choice but to postpone the long-awaited 15th edition of the festival to next summer, July 30 – August 1, 2021,” read a statement from the event’s organizers. Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar, and Lizzo were originally tapped as headliners for the 2020 installment, which was scheduled for this July. Kraftwerk, Vampire Weekend, Bon Iver, BROCKHAMPTON, Charli XCX, Caribou, Nick Murphy, and Rex Orange County were also slated to perform, as were Brittany Howard, Tove Lo, slowthai, Phoebe Bridgers, and Soccer Mommy. Organizers are “currently working” to book as many of those sa...
