16 Music festival madness

The hip-hop summiT oVo Fest Aug. 7, Budweiser Stage

Drake’s annual jam features OVO stalwarts like Majid Jordan and PartyNextDoor, but everyone knows the fest’s most exciting acts—apart from Aubrey himself, of course—never appear on any posters. Past surprise guests have included Kanye West, Rihanna and Jay-Z. It’s anyone’s guess who swings by this time around.

The island esCape Camp wavelength Aug. 18 to 20, Artscape Gibraltar Point

Wavelength’s indie fest is always a muchneeded late-summer retreat—even more so after months without the Island. The weekend of camping, art and beachy fun features Hamilton singer-songwriter Jessy Lanza, and Rich Aucoin, whose celebratory shows involve sparklers and a giant parachute.

The GourmeT GeTaway The Big Feastival Aug. 18 to 20, Burl’s Creek Event Grounds

Farm-to-table fanatic Jamie Oliver cooked up this music festival six years ago in the U.K. The first Canadian edition includes tunes from geek-rock pioneers Weezer and grub from Chuck Hughes (Montreal’s Garde Manger), Rob Gentile (Buca) and Alexandra Feswick (the Drake).

The eleCTro exTraVaGanza Veld Aug. 5 and 6, Downsview Park

The city’s biggest rave gets a trifecta of global superstars— Tiësto, Zedd and Major Lazer—plus a two-day roster of other DJs who know their way around an EDM drop. This year also features a healthy hip-hop contingent, with sets from Future, Tory Lanez and Migos.

The muskoka Bar hop sawdust City music Festival Aug. 4 to 6, Gravenhurst

Canada’s premier fiddler-for-hire Miranda Mulholland is the force behind Muskoka’s new music fest. For three days, rootsy acts like Jim Cuddy, NQ Arbuckle and Justin Rutledge will play multiple venues (like a cozy brewery, historic opera hall and floating barge) around Gravenhurst.