By Pedro Domingos
The Riverside Festival, one of the most anticipated electronic music events in the region, kicked off its 2024 edition with an unforgettable night. Held from September 6-8 at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, this year’s festival lineup features an impressive mix of international and local talent, with Sean Paul headlining Friday night. Rezz took the stage on Saturday, while Deadmau5 closed the festival on Sunday. Other artists on the bill included KSHMR, Wax Motif, Third Party, ATLiens, Sidepiece, G-REX, and local acts like Nic.G and Sam Strut. With three days of music, mesmerizing light shows, and a thrilling atmosphere, Riverside delivered a spectacular end to summer.
Sean Paul’s performance on opening night was a monumental moment, blending his signature dancehall sound with the electronic vibes of the festival. Fans who’ve grown up on his iconic tracks like “Temperature,” “Get Busy,” and “Gimme the Light” were ecstatic to see the Grammy-winning artist on a stage known primarily for electronic music. His decades-spanning influence has made him a global icon, seamlessly crossing genre lines and uniting audiences from different music worlds.
Despite the constant on-and-off rain, the crowd’s enthusiasm never waned. Sean Paul, backed by a dynamic live band and super energetic dancers, kept the energy high throughout the night. From crowd favourites like “We Be Burnin’” to the smooth rhythms of “Like Glue,” the rain only added to the electric atmosphere. As the night came to a close, Sean Paul joked about how the stage manager wanted to end the show as it was past the curfew but he would continue it, with a smile, he cheekily signed off with his hit “She Doesn’t Mind,” leaving the crowd buzzing long after the music stopped.
