Friday night at Osheaga hit a turning point as the sun dipped low over Parc Jean-Drapeau and the Valley Stage transformed into a vibrant, open-air dancefloor. Scottish producer and multi-instrumentalist Barry Can’t Swim brought his genre-melding magic to the Montreal crowd, delivering a set full of emotional builds, hypnotic beats, and irresistible rhythm.

Performing under a canopy of lasers and strobe lights, the artist (real name Joshua Mainnie) let the music speak for itself. There were no shout-outs or crowd banter—just pure, seamless transitions and a laser focus on crafting a fluid, high-energy experience. Bright visuals and light cues were locked in with the beats, pulling the audience into a shared rhythm, unified by the pulse of the music.

Barry Can’t Swim’s sound is hard to pin down, and that’s a good thing. Blending elements of house, jazz, and electronica, his tracks feel both emotionally rich and dancefloor-ready. The crowd responded in kind. After a long week of anticipation, festival-goers were ready to move, and move they did. Dancers spilled out in every direction, pulled in by the irresistible groove.

Highlights included “Sunsleeper,” which surged with soulful vocal samples and jazz piano, and “Kimpton,” a beautifully layered track that pulses with emotional resonance. “Sonder” brought a more introspective energy, swirling between melody and movement.

While the set leaned into DJ territory, Barry was joined onstage by live musicians, adding organic layers to the already immersive performance. These added touches brought depth to the beats and blurred the line between live set and club night.

For me, this performance was more than just a good time—it was personal. Barry Can’t Swim had become a favorite discovery in the lead-up to Osheaga, and this was my first time seeing him live. Introducing his sound to friends mid-show was a full-circle moment, and the set delivered everything I’d hoped for. In a weekend packed with standout performances, this one carved out its own lane. Energetic, heartfelt, and impossible not to move to.

Revew by: Christopher Murphy

Pictures by: Benoit Rousseau

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Barry Can’t Swim Lights Up Osheaga Festival with Euphoric Dance Energy