Get the poop on who’s who at the Pop
What to see at Montreal’s music fest? We ask the bands themselves
It may not be on the same scale as Austin’s South by Southwest Festival yet, but Pop Montreal has firmly replaced Toronto’s North by Northeast as the marquee annual Canadian music event.
Starting tonight and running through the weekend, the festival will offer no shortage of big draws — among them Beck, Interpol, Sam Roberts, Matt Mays, Metric, Kings of Leon and recent Mercury Prize winner Antony and the Johnsons. But with hundreds of other acts to choose from at the four-year-old fest, the discerning music fan will have some tough decisions to make. To help plan out the weekend, we checked in with some of the performers playing the festival to see which of their peers they’re most excited about. Max (Age of Danger), The Deadly Snakes Billy Childish has been making records for 20 years that neophytes are still just discovering. He’s had a dozen bands through the years, but they’re always just a vehicle for his prolific songwriting. Outliving one trend and championed by the next, he more than stands up to the test of time. He also doesn’t cross the pond much, so consider yourself lucky. I’ve seen him hold an audience with nothing more than a board to stomp on and a microphone. Peter Elkas
The evolution of 1990s East Coast rock has resulted in at least two exceptional acts, both performing in Montreal. City Field, playing tonight, is the collaboration of Gregg Millman, Matt Murphy, Mitchell Wiebe, Brent Randall and Dave Ewenson; their EP Authentic City
is a satisfying shake of tough guitar and tender melodies that carry wonderful images of hippies crying and midgets dying. I love these cats, and am only missing them to perform for Guelphigonians.
Tomorrow, rising from the ashes of Thrush Hermit is Camouflage Nights, which has only a few minutes to rest before it invades planet Earth. There is a sexual thread woven through this music that will both delight and frustrate you. There is also a burning axe in the show that will frighten and possibly burn you. Andrew Whiteman, Apostle of Hustle: First, Gonzales. The man is still a head- f--- ing evil genius, just like when he left for Europe years ago, but now he wears slippers onstage instead of a pith helmet. Lexi Valentine, Magneta Lane: First pick, Republic of Safety. I really like this band — I’ve seen them live twice and both times they have just been phenomenal.
Second, Tokyo Police Club. Love the rawness — brings the Violent Femmes, a bit of Kinks and ripped-up valentines for a lovely mix.
Third, of course, is Controller. — seen them many times, and I never get tired. They all have such amazing chemistry and presence onstage. And the songs just take over your limbs.