Heatwave (festival)

Heatwave was a large-scale outdoor music festival held annually in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Organized by CPI (Concerts Productions International), it became known for attracting major international rock, pop, and new wave acts. The first Heatwave festival, and arguably the most famous, took place on August 23, 1980, at Mosport Park (now Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) near Bowmanville, Ontario.

The 1980 Heatwave festival boasted a significant lineup, including Elvis Costello, The Pretenders, Talking Heads, The B-52's, Rockpile, and Joe Jackson, among others. It drew an estimated crowd of over 75,000 people, making it one of the largest single-day music events in Canadian history. While lauded for its impressive roster of artists, the festival also faced criticisms related to overcrowding, traffic congestion, and logistical challenges in managing such a large audience.

Subsequent Heatwave festivals occurred, though none reached the same level of notoriety as the 1980 event. The brand was eventually retired, leaving behind a legacy as a landmark moment in Canadian music festival history, particularly remembered for showcasing the burgeoning new wave and punk rock scenes of the era. The festival is still fondly recalled by many who attended, and its impact on Canadian music culture is often discussed.