As May comes to a close, summer finally feels within arm's reach. And with summer comes festival season! 

From the all-out ravers to the picnic-and-a-blanket crowd, the festivals sweeping across Canada this summer offer something for all music lovers. Expect to catch a phenomenal mix of local and international artists, including Shania Twain, Elisapie, Kaytranada, Avril Lavigne, Charlotte Cardin, City and Colour, Disclosure, Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier and Snotty Nose Rez Kids. 

If you need any help mapping out your plan of action, we’ve put together a handy list of 46 festivals that you won’t want to miss over the next four months. 

Let us know which festivals you decide to check out, and if we missed any of your personal favourites. 

How Saya Gray turned voice notes into a masterpiece

Toronto’s Saya Gray grew up in a musical household, and cut her teeth playing bass for Daniel Caesar and Willow Smith before releasing her debut EP, 19 Masters, in 2022. She recorded all the songs in the voice notes app on her phone, and it's that plucky and innovative DIY energy that has come to define her musical offerings, including the recent critically acclaimed album Saya.

Joseph Shabason and Dawn Richard's ode to Sade, and 3 more songs you need to hear this week

Joseph Shabason and Dawn Richard were recently on tour together, and they turned one of their pre-show rituals into a lovely ode to Sade. Check it out, along with new songs from Tami Neilson, Kola and Samant. 

Did you know Alanis Morissette got her start on this kids’ TV show?

The You Oughta Know singer got slimed while she was a cast member of a hit Nickelodeon show. 

Watch Ahi perform his beautiful soul, folk and blues fusion at TD Music Hall

Ahi’s voice live is undeniable. His stirring performance of songs from his latest album, The Light Behind the Sun, is a testament to that fact. 

Tanika Charles dives into her complex family history on her new album, Reasons to Stay

The soul singer sat down with The Block’s Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe to talk about her new music, working with DijahSB, and the musical influence her father had on her despite their tumultuous relationship.

Loony’s Opera House show was a homecoming for the ages

After capturing the attention of Elton John and having her music sampled by Metro Boomin on a 21 Savage and Burna Boy collab, Loony released her self-titled debut album. CBC Music Live caught up with her at the Opera House in Toronto and captured this very special show.

Miley Cyrus holds onto No. 1 on the Top 20 with a Canadian assist

Miley Cyrus's latest "anthemic, apocalyptic disco pop" hit End of the World is dominating the top of our chart for a second week. The No. 1 track was co-written by Maritime musical couple Molly Rankin and Alec O'Hanley, of indie band Alvvays. They now join the ranks of other Canadian songwriters including Lowell (Beyoncé's Texas Hold 'Em) and Tobias Jesso Jr. (Cyrus’s When We Were Young) who have co-written huge international hits. Entering the chart this week are new songs from reclusive American singer Bon Iver, Montreal R&B artist Zeina, and British TikTok sensation Myles Smith. 

Thanks so much for joining us for this issue of Listen Up! If you loved it, feel free to let us know at listenup@cbc.ca — and use the same email if you have questions or suggestions. Please share it with your friends, family and even enemies via cbc.ca/listenup.