POP Montreal + Backxwash
POP Montreal is entering its third decade with signature style and a sense of purpose.
Last year the festival got lucky, observing all public health restrictions but still providing a sense of continuity and normalcy for the local music scene in the midst of COVID. Within a week, the second lockdown was announced. This year, COVID continues to put a bit of a damper on the usual party vibe that POP prides itself on, but the festival is mounting an impressive lineup regardless, a preview of what promises to be a rager of a 21st anniversary edition next year.
Among the exciting mostly-local acts performing from Sept. 22–26 are grandiose rock bands Besnard Lakes and the Dears (the latter with a secret-location acoustic set), fierce rappers Backxwash and Cakes da Killa, heavy experimental acts SUUNS and Population II, singer-songwriters Safia Nolin, Dorothea Paas, Hanorah, Eve Parker Finley, Thanya Iyer and Fred Fortin, soul singers Chiild and Clerel, alt R&B art Janette King, country/folk faves Li’l Andy, Katie Moore, Sin and Swoon and El Coyote, pop chanteuses Marie-Pierre Arthur and Maryze, dream pop artist Vanille, Atikamekw singer Laura Niquay and electronic acts Wake Island and Dishwasher. POP will also host the debut performance by ALL HANDS / MAKE LIGHT, a new “supergroup” featuring Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s Efrim Menuck and Ariel Engle (la Force.)
As always, there’s Film POP, POP Symposium, Puces POP,
Art POP and Kids POP programming to look forward to, along with a parade in Mile End. The hybrid edition of the festival will feature in-person and virtual events, with the Rialto complex, Entrepot77 and Parc St-Viateur serving as event venues. A “health pass” (ie. vaccine passport, ie. the VaxiCode app) will be required for in-person shows as per provincial regulations now in effect. And though there are no passes for sale this year, tickets are very reasonably priced — and moving quickly.