When Arcade Fire released their acclaimed debut album, Funeral, in 2004 the international press claimed that Montreal was the next hotbed for music praising its music scene with some publications even labelling it as the ‘next Seattle’.
While Arcade Fire’s success has almost certainly inspired a new generation of bands and allowed for a much greater interest into the second largest Canadian city, the once described culture capital of the country has always had a prosperous music scene worth noting.
With 60% of the population speaking French, Montreal’s music culture is an interesting mixture of acts that sing solely in one of the languages and acts that sing in both. With these two ends of the spectrum coexisting and bridged by multi-lingual singers the city has found itself in a unique predicament.
The diversity of the scene has created a culture in which musicians from around the country and even the world move to Montreal to achieve their aspirations. The city of over 1.65 million people fosters its arts scene and musicians in a similar way to its rival and neighbour Toronto.
The results speak for themselves. When Arcade Fire accepted the Grammy for ‘Album Of The Year’ in 2011 for their third album, The Suburbs, Win Butler thanked the city for providing the band with a home.
As well as the seven-piece outfit acts like Grimes, Stars and Braids have all moved to the metropolis to find new inspiration and success. Cheap rents are also an attractive reason for musicians to move to the urban area.
However there are a plethora of homegrown locals who have found audiences worldwide. Acts such as The Besnard Lakes, The Dears, We Are Wolves and A-Trak have all took Montreal to the world stage. While the legendary Leonard Cohen grew up in the Canadian city before going on to release some astounding works of music and poetry.
Montreal’s indie music and underground music community has always been healthy, but Arcade Fire’s international prominence has only helped to stimulate the city’s existing culture even more. With Canada’s government providing support to the arts, its little surprise that the past few years has seen a plethora of Canadian acts make a statement on the world stage.
But Montreal has this in common with Toronto. However how it sets itself apart is in its unique culture where French and English acts intertwine.
Montreal might be located in North America yet look European, but the music heard there can’t be bound by geography or pre-existing stereotypes.
Where great bands move to, fans will no doubt follow and for music lovers travelling to this city there are plenty of treats in store.
Montreal Festivals/Conferences
Osheaga Festival:This three-day indie music festival has been held in early August since its inception in 2006. Located at the Parc Jean-Drapeau the festival attracts more than 25,000 people each year. Osheaga is the largest festival of its kind in Canada and features over 90 bands each year. The 2013 lineup features huge names such as Frank Ocean, The Cure, Mumford and Sons, Phoenix, New Order, Vampire Weekend, Beach House and Two Door Cinema Club just to name a few.
http://www.osheaga.com
Pop Montreal:This annual music festival, which runs in late September, brings around 600 acts to 50,000 people across more than 50 different venues. Discussions, art exhibitions, fashion shows, film screenings and music events are all featured during this five-day event. In its 12 year history Pop Montreal has booked the likes of Beck, Franz Ferdinand, Billy Childish, Interpol, TTC and Arcade Fire.
http://popmontreal.com
Pouzza Fest:Championing the local punk scene this event runs over three days in 10 different venues located in downtown Montreal that are all walking distance from each other. Beginning in 2011 Pouzza Fest. brings over 250 different bands from around the world. The 2013 festival will be held from the 17th to the 19th of May.
http://www.pouzzafest.com/index.php
Montreal Record Stores
Phonopolis Records, 207 Bernard Ouest, www.phonopolis.ca
While it relocated in 2010 this record establishment has been in business since 2007. As an independent store, Phonopolis has become a favourite for alternative rock, jazz, blues and international music fans. The owner who plays in two bands himself also makes a point of hosting free all ages gigs amongst the stacks of vinyl.
Cheap Thrills, 2044 Metcalfe st. 2nd floor, http://www.cheapthrills.ca
Having opened in 1971 this music haven stocks everything from CDs to cassettes and vinyl. Located in the upstairs section of the building Cheap Thrills has a reputation for being just as its name suggests with reasonable prices on both new and used music. Music related books can also be found here, with collectors edition paperbacks situated throughout the store. It’s a small establishment, but Cheap Thrills has plenty to offer with local gig tickets also available for purchase.
Death Of Vinyl, 6307 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, www.deathofvinyl.com
While not selling new records a brilliant electronic collection of LPs are stocked in this store, which is marked by two colourful eyes above its doors. Death Of Vinyls’ assortment of 80s tour posters from around the city is likely to take record hunters on a trip back through time just as art shows, which feature displays of their own and from outsiders, allows for an experience you will find at few other record stores.
Montreal Music Venues
Casa Del Popolo and La Sala Rossa, 4873 and 4848 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, http://www.casadelpopolo.com/
Located across the street from each other, these two sister venues are owned by former Godspeed! You Black Emperor member Mauro Pezzente and his wife. La Sala Rossa is the bigger of the two venues, the historic building features music of all kinds, while there is also a Spanish restaurant downstairs. Casa Del Popolo hosts more experimental and avant-garde acts. Each summer the two venues host an experimental music festival called Suoni Per Il Popolo.
Il Motore, 179 rue Jean-Talon West, www.ilmotore.ca
A strong list of indie pop, rock and alternative acts have made this small venue a highlight for catching great bands in Montreal. With the same bookers as Casa Del Popolo and La Sala Rossa it’s not surprising that Il Motore is successful at acquiring great acts. Hidden in a warehouse building, it may not look like it from the outside, but Il Motore has hosted the likes of Stornoway, The View, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Perfume Genius and Divine Fits.
Les Foufounes Électriques, 87 Rue Ste-Catherine Est, www.foufouneselectriques.wordpress.com
As the oldest alternative rock venue in Montreal, Foufs (as known by the locals) has seen its fair share of history. The likes of Nirvana, Green Day and Queens Of The Stone Age have all graced the stage at this venue in the past. Foufs, however hasn’t always been specific to one style with new wave, reggae, industrial, grunge, hip-hop and ska all being heard here before. In the 80s the club became the centre of for punk and gothic subcultures. Foufs, which first opened in 1983, is a multi-level venue with three dance floors.
Montreal Acts You Should Check Out
Half Moon Run – Soundcloud
This trio’s debut album, Dark Eyes, launched the band onto the international scene in 2012. Half Moon Run blend pop, folk, subtle hints of electronica and classical components. Listen to ‘Full Circle’ below to hear a small taste of their debut.
Leif Vollebekk – Soundcloud
This musician combines folk and blues with inspiring results. While much like what you’ve heard before, Vollebekk succeeds in his storytelling and beautiful vocals. While his debut album, Inland, was released back in 2010, the follow-up, North Americana, landed back in February.
Young Galaxy – Soundcloud
While this five-piece dream pop outfit first formed in Vancouver they moved to Montreal to record their 2007 self-titled debut album. Since then they’ve released three more albums, with their latest record, Ultramarine, released in February. Have to listen to ‘Pretty Boy’ from the album below.
