The 15th edition of the festival descends upon the city on Dec. 14, sparking the city’s underground pulse with a convergence of experimental voices and boundary-pushing talent. “Pique is Ottawa’s best time out, and this edition is jam packed with a healthy dose of eclectic, energetic and creative contributions from in and out of town.” says Sandra Ngenge Dusabe, the festival’s programming and development coordinator. “Each edition of this festival engages nearly all five senses—from imaginative art installations to a bustling art market, there’s something for everyone at Pique.” 

In anticipation of Pique, RANGE is highlighting five acts that we think are a must-see.

LustSickPuppy

LustSickPuppy is best described as indescribable. The multi-faceted rapper/producer is praised for their eclectic presence and radiant personality, something that remains unparalleled during their live sets. Hot off the heels of their latest project, Carousel From Hell, their plunge upon Ottawa is sure to charge up Pique, injecting a raw energy that blurs genre boundaries and fuels the festival’s already pulse-pounding atmosphere.

VICTIME

Hailing from Quebec city, VICTIME offer an exploratory take on indie-pop. Rather than leaning into dead-end inspiration from their peers, the trio unionizes genres such as trip-hop, avant-rock, and post-punk to formulate their distinct sound. Much like a collision of tension and release, fractured rhythms and haunting melodies weave through moments of simulatenous introspection and intensity, a soundtrack for anyone who has ever felt at odds with the world around them.

Indian Giver

Culminating with a simple message, Indigenous-led band Indian Giver aims to promote reconciliation through reclamation. Seeking to reoccupy long time white-commanded spaces such as hardcore, punk and metal, the group reinvents these genres through both their cultural heritage and artistic expression. Shattering the boundaries of assimilation, they portray a testimony that Indigenous voices are not only present—they’re here to stay.

Read our interview with Indian Giver here

Marie LeBlanc Flanagan

Marie LeBlanc Flanagan thrives where play meets purpose, transforming the mundane into the jaw-dropping. From experimental video games to quirky installations, her work challenges the constraints of connection and community, often through the lens of “trash”—both literal and metaphorical. With a deep love for collaboration, she’s co-founded initiatives like Wyrd Arts and Toronto Games Week, and has shaped spaces for artists to reimagine the digital world. Whether she’s partnering with the likes of Wizard Zines or The Processing Foundation, Marie’s work invites people to question, engage, and find new meaning in the overlooked and discarded.

DJ VELVET

DJ Velvet is one of Ottawa’s most sought-after DJs, blending her Haitian Caribbean roots with a mix of hip-hop, Afro-beats, amapiano, and house. As the Main DJ at Skate & Play Roller-Skating Center and a fixture at festivals like RBC Bluesfest and Riverfest Elora, she brings an unmatchable energy to every appearance. With collaborations spanning artists like Charmaine and Jessie Simmons, Velvet’s dynamic style has earned her countless accolades, including DJ of the Year at the Cranium Arts Project’s Recognize Awards, solidifying that her rise is anything but slow.

Pique’s Winter Edition is on Dec. 14 at Arts Court in Ottawa, ON | TICKETS & INFO