Nawaz: Individuals-watching at Osheaga was unparalleled and a bit of cheeky

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Often at Osheaga, I’m all in regards to the music. Laser-focused on the bands I need to see, I memorize the schedule and strategize how finest to get from stage to stage to make sure I can see all of them. However this time, with the pageant lastly returning in full kind, I wished to soak in the entire expertise.

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And Osheaga didn’t disappoint. In all places I wandered, there have been joyful individuals benefiting from the weekend. No matter your vibe, there was a spot for you: dancing in entrance of the principle phases or chilling on the again on the hill, splashing within the water fountains, stress-free below the bushes in a hammock, lounging on the grass in a patch of shade, or sitting within the stands close to the Valley Stage. There was a whole lot of terrain to discover and loads of enjoyable stuff alongside the way in which: contests, picture cubicles, freebies, and even some rides, just like the Storage-sponsored Ferris wheel close to the principle phases.

And the people-watching was unparalleled. On Friday, I met up with buddies for supper within the YUL EAT Gardens, the place we started outfit-spotting from our shady desk. I wished to see for myself simply what number of younger individuals have been embracing the return of ’90s trend, and the reply is — rather a lot. I noticed sufficient Doc Martens, saggy pants, cropped tees, child doll clothes, bustier-style tops, chunky sandals and neon clothes to really gladden my Xennial coronary heart.

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Much more hanging was all the colorful and glittery pageant put on. We seen individuals of all genders sporting face gems — rhinestones caught to the face, normally across the eyes and cheekbones — a mode popularized by the present Euphoria. Later I discovered festival-goers may have them placed on by make-up artists on the Storage Glow Up Bar.

However our collective consideration quickly wandered to a different eye-catching trend pattern: sheer pants. Whether or not fabricated from mesh, lace or translucent cloth, they have been in every single place, typically boldly paired with thong underwear or bikini bottoms.

I’m not a prude. However … butts! A number of butts! One pal aptly described the clothes as pants/non-pants. One other urged the pattern could be Kardashian-influenced, and certain sufficient, a bit of Googling later that night time revealed the sheer pattern as one popularized by the Kardashian siblings and supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid.

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One trend merchandise noticed greater than as soon as that not even Google may account for: tearaway athletic chaps. Sure, extra butts.

Aside from all of the cheeky pants, probably the most hanging pattern have been the group outfits. Pal duos and squads wore coordinating gear: teams of fellows all carrying two-piece Hawaiian shirt and quick units; a pair of younger ladies in squid hats; one other bunch of ladies in matching checkered pants and crop tops. In all places I appeared, there have been buddies in matching outfits. It appeared one other method of celebrating the sheer pleasure of coming collectively.

The pageant felt enjoyable and protected. Although I used to be in tight with the gang for all of the bands I noticed, I by no means felt jostled or penned in. I even wore sandals the primary day and solely obtained stepped on as soon as. The protection measures — together with workers utilizing lighted beacons to usher concert-goers in the proper course — appeared to work properly.

And whereas Osheaga was predominantly attended by a youthful crowd, there have been a number of individuals outdoors that demographic. Since youngsters 10 and below may attend free with a ticket holder, there have been even fearless dad and mom wrangling strollers and wagons with kids in protecting headphones.

My sole grievance was being requested by safety to jettison an empty plastic Evian bottle I’d dropped at reuse and refill — because it was lighter and fewer problematic to lose than my stainless-steel one. That meant having to buy one other plastic water bottle on website, which appears at cross-purposes with the wonderful initiative of water-refill stations.

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Osheaga additionally saved up its fame for sticking to its schedule. When Machine Gun Kelly ran additional time by greater than 10 minutes, the sound crew minimize his mic, a lot to the satisfaction of these of us ready for Dua Lipa’s set.

And when Dua Lipa appeared on the stage in a shiny sheer lace cut-out jumpsuit full with black bra and thong, I lastly understood the sheer clothes pattern. She gave an incredible, high-energy closing act to the weekend, surrounded by a crew of impeccable dancers.

The collective Osheaga pleasure was palpable on my method residence as I exited the Yellow Line into the Berri métro station, the place enterprising traditional rock buskers are inclined to arrange store within the tunnel after concert events at Jean-Drapeau Park. Friday night time was there was a rousing singalong of “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” adopted by “Wonderwall,” however Sunday night time a whole bunch of Osheaga attendees chimed in on a rousing and really apt refrain of “Come Collectively.”

It felt good.