Toronto may be in the midst of a heat wave, but summer festival season is about to get hotter by 98 Degrees. The mercury and excitement is rising for Canada’s favourite fair as the Canadian National Exhibition announces its full 2025 Bell CNE Bandshell line-up set to hit the stage beginning August 15th. Offering the best of homegrown talent to international music superstars, this year’s CNE concert line-up has something for everyone including chart-topping ballad hitmakers 98 Degrees; Canadian supergroup Trans-Canada Highwaymen made up of Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness), Chris Murphy (Sloan), Craig Northey (Odds), and Steven Page (ex-Barenaked Ladies); Vancouver’s iconic alt-rock band Moist led by David Usher, returning to the Bell CNE Bandshell stage since their last appearance in 2018; as well as California’s Cold War Kids and Hamilton’s The Dirty Nil.
From supergroups to super-pairings: Toronto’s Queen of R&B Soul Jully Black will open for legendary “Brick House” Motown group The Commodores; the Godfather of Canadian reggae Jay Douglas teams up with one of Jamaica’s most iconic figures of roots reggae, Luciano; folk-rockers The Rural Alberta Advantage pair up with special guest Yukon Blonde; and Grammy-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk headlines with Toronto-based indie ensemble Stars, who are extending their 20th anniversary tour of their critically acclaimed album, Set Yourself on Fire. Celebrating ‘Hot Girl Summer 2.0’ and putting female empowerment front and centre on the Bell CNE Bandshell Stage will be the trifecta of Rêve (“Ctrl + Alt + Del”), Jessia (“I’m Not Pretty”), and Aqyila (“Bloom”).
Previously announced headliners include Shawn Desman, Loverboy, July Talk, Bishop Briggs, Dean Brody, and Marianas Trench. Three Dog Night was announced to perform at the CNE; however, due to unforeseen circumstances, their show scheduled for August 23 at the Bell CNE Bandshell has been cancelled.
2025 Bell CNE Bandshell Concert Series
Bios available at https://www.theex.com/performances/music/
Friday, August 15 – Shawn Desman w/ Ari Hicks
Saturday, August 16 – Loverboy
Sunday, August 17 – STARS & Chantal Kreviazuk
Monday, August 18 – Moist
Tuesday, August 19 – Rêve, Jessia, Aqyila
Wednesday, August 20 – Trans-Canada Highwaymen
Thursday, August 21 – Luciano & Jay Douglas
Friday, August 22 – July Talk w/ The Darcys
Saturday, August 23 – 98 Degrees w/ Alyssa Reid
Sunday, August 24 – The Commodores with Jully Black
Monday, August 25 – Cold War Kids
Tuesday, August 26 – Bishop Briggs
Wednesday, August 27 – The Dirty Nil w/ Ben Quad
Thursday, August 28 – The Rural Alberta Advantage w/ Special Guest Yukon Blonde
Friday, August 29 – Marianas Trench w/ Nicolina
Saturday, August 30 – Dean Brody
Sunday, August 31 – Soca Night ft. GBM Nutron, Mical Teja, Coutain, with DJ Ana, Ultra Simmo and Dr. Jay
Monday, September 1 – No concert on Labour Day
More supporting acts may be added. In addition to the Bell CNE Bandshell stage, there are five other music stages throughout the CNE to entertain visitors during the 18-day fair, taking place August 15 – September 1, 2025. For more information, go to www.TheEx.com.
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