So last week/weekend, I went down to Montreal and attended the 22nd annual Pop Montreal Festival.
What I like about the festival is their diverse lineup of musical performances, including indie rock, pop, electronic, hip-hop, dance and more.
The festival is also known for showcasing both emerging and established artists from various genres performing in big or small venue settings.
This year was no exception on my adventures in Mile End.
Day 1:
Got there for the festival’s opening party which was presented by AWAL at L’Entrepot77.
The live performance I got to see was the Montreal hip-hop, R&B, electronic, and soul band Planet Giza.
Fun upbeat set of hip-hop, R&B, funk, electronic, and soul, creating a unique and fresh sonic landscape to the diverse audience.
Afterwards I headed to La Sala Rossa for the Distortion Psych Fest showcase.
Toronto psych rockers Hot Garbage.
Dutch rock band Iguana Death Cult got things energetic with their psychedelic sounds of garage rock, punk music.
Los Angeles band Frankie and the Witch Fingers ended the show with a loud energetic fuzzing guitar garage rock, psychedelia, and punk music.
First time at La Sotterenea which is the basement to La Sala Rossa and caught parts of Dresser, Burry and Islands (kind of freaked me out with that puppet playing the keyboards).
Over at Casa del Popolo was the Montreal band Barnacle.
Ended the first night at Rialto Theatre for Belgian-Caribbean singer, songwriter, and musician Charlotte Adigéry for some electronic, pop, and world music.
Accompanied by Bolis Pupul which made it a fun show for those at the venue.
Day 2:
I didn’t want to miss out the Ubisoft rooftop show which celebrated 10 years with their Pop Montreal collaboration.
The secret musician was rap/hip-hop musician Maky Lavender.
Besides being a open bar, I had a enjoyable time with the sunsetting over Mile End with live music.
Nice evening outdoor show at L’Entrepot77 with Montreal instrumental band Bell Orchestre, North Carolina experimental alternative folk artist ANJIMILE and Monteral instrumental Sauf Les Drones
Caught a few songs by TikTok sensation Leith Ross performing indie pop music.
Rialto Hall there was alot last minute changes.
Originally the show was suppose to have Skullcrusher (no reason what happened) and Sister Ray (They had COVID).
So they had Montreal art pop rock band Booster Fawn
Second was Wood Andrews (aka Legal Vertigo) performing a mix of country rock and in the middle of the set & costume change was stoner rock.
There was a special guest appearance by Basia Bulat all decked out in country fashion.
This was more performance than musical but whatever it was very entertaining.
Late night show at Piccolo Rialto and got a dose of Russian musician, producer, and visual artist Kate NV.
Unique set of experimental and genre-blurring nature of electronic, pop, avant-garde, and ambient music.
Her sound often features dreamy, ethereal textures and a playful, whimsical quality a-la Bjork.
Ended the second night with British electronic musician Loraine James.
Totally enjoyed Loraine’s music and couldn’t stop dancing to the music.
Day 3:
Started off with a lovely sunsetting Rialto rooftop show with Montreal-based musician Russell Louder.
This was the album release for Fair-Weather that filled with indie electro-pop music.
Kind of reminded me of La Roux with the vocals.
Over at L’Entrepot77 was more of a hip-hop theme.
Caught the last song of Blxck Cxsper
Shabazz Palaces was one of the acts that I didn’t want to miss out.
Stopped by for one song by Karma Glider performing at L’Escgroffe
Over to Quai Des Brumes to catch Emilie Kahn.
Lovely and beautiful set of pop music from the upcoming album Maybe coming out on October 20th and one old song which was Island.
Music BC had their showcase at Casa del Popolo and saw NADUH, Big Kill and Kimmortal.
Nuovo Testamento was quite something at La Sala Rossa with their catchy disco electro-pop music.
Seoul, South Korea traveling musical family band Tengger at La Sotterenea.
So I was told that it was their first time at the festival and in Montreal.
I am glad that I didn’t miss out their beautiful experimental, ambient and new age music that is usually played on my favourite radio show called Pacific Notions on KEXP.
Late night at Piccolo Rialto with Fraud Perry.
Last minute change with Backxwash due to Junglepussy couldn’t make it into Canada due to the rain that flooded New York City.
Of course Backxwash didn’t disappoint.
Day 4:
Started off the day with a Brunch Matinee show at Bravo Cafe and their signee showcase with Simon Boisseau with classical piano music (could he be the next Jean-Michel Blais?) and indie pop musician Laraw.
Pop Symposium
A last minute lovely rooftop show at Rialto Theatre with Helena Deland where she performed materials from the upcoming album Goodnight Summerland that was filled with beautiful singer/songwriter folk pop music to bask on the sunlight.
Over at L’Entrepot77:
BARBER OF THE QUEENS where I felt their music was all over the map with alternative pop, disco and synthpop.
Second time this year seeing La Sécurité in less than a month and I wasn’t disappointed with their artpunk and new wave French and English music.
PYPY (pronounced Pi as in π) the new project from Redmass and Duchess Says was literally crazy and intense with garage punk and psych-rock music.
Second time I didn’t want to miss out Marker Starling at Casa Del Popolo.
There was a mix of Ottawa and Toronto audience at the venue which was so great listening to Chris A. Cummings laid back pop and yacth soft-rock music.
So one of the show I was told not to miss out (due to word of mouth) took place at L’Escogriffe Bar.
Matador Records signee Water From Your Eyes from Brooklyn, New York was the headliner for Saturday night.
It was a blend of loud experimental pop and art rock music.
Second was Montreal’s N Nao with some experimental alterna-pop music.
Somehow I felt like I was in FME since she sings in French but I do like the music.
Kind of a loud version of Klô Pelgag.
Arrived and caught parts of the New York band Activity.
I really love their set since it was a mix of SUUNS and Preoccupations.
Unessential Oils which is the new project of Plants and Animals’s Warren Spicer performed at Quai Des Brumes.
This was more of a jazzy folk and summery vibe.
Ended the last night at the festival with the last night show with Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer-songwriter Lila Iké.
Bringing alot of positivity to her music which the audience enjoyed.
Over all I have a fun time and hope to go back next year!
Check out the gallery.
