Second Summer Festival has announced that Toronto’s own PUP have signed on as guest curators for the inaugural edition of the festival this September. Few bands better embody the spirit of independent music than Canadian pop punk rockers PUP. For more than a decade, the Toronto band have built a devoted following through explosive live shows, sharp songwriting, and a genuine connection with music fans at home and around the world. Second Summer asked them one question “Who’s on your festival dance card?”. PUP hand selected nine not-to-be-missed artists. Find out more about PUP Picks as well as the announced performer list at Second Summer Festival’s website.
“When we decided to have a guest curator it took me all of 30 seconds to land on the amazing fellas in PUP,” comments Brendan McCarney, Founder and Artistic Director of Second Summer Festival. “No choice exists that would better reflect the ethos of the festival, the creative and engaging artists who we’ve asked to play it, and frankly, the city of Toronto and its music scene. We couldn’t appreciate the band and their selections more. Long live PUP!”
PUP are no strangers to the Toronto live scene, appreciating the support this city has been in building them from the ground up. In 2025 the band celebrated the release of their fifth album with their MegaCity Madness Tour which saw them play six shows, six different venues in just seven days – Secret House Show, Sneaky Dee’s, Lee’s Palace, The Concert Hall, Danforth Music Hall with their victory lap at HISTORY.
“Our friend Brendan approached us a while ago about this festival he was putting on in Toronto,” recalls PUP lead singer, Stefan Babcock. “While we weren’t available to play, he asked if we’d like to put forward a handful of bands. We were honoured to be asked. Some of these bands are well known, but most of them are just bands we really love who you may not know yet, but we think you should. I’m glad this festival exists. I’m glad there is a place to showcase these incredible bands. And I’m glad these bands (especially the ones not from Ontario) will get to see what a great and supportive music city we have here in Toronto.”
PUP Picks
High vis
Casper Skulls
Truck Violence
Klokwise
Status/Non-Status
Eucalyptus
Cam Kahin
Kid Sistr
Spirit Desire
