If you're a Canadian music fan, you've likely experienced Montreal's incredible festival circuit. As soon as the temperature rises, we promptly plan our annual trips to Osheaga and Jazz Fest - both of which remain a Quebec staple during the summer months. When the heat finally does arrive, so too do the wave of tourists, who transform Montreal into a massive block party. Every year, music floods the city streets and neighbourhoods forget the meaning of last call. These parties endure for an epic (and exhausting) few months, and when the beer tents and outdoor stages eventually disappear, you'd expect things to quiet down in the 514. Luckily for the Canadian music fan, this isn't the case in Quebec. Since 2006, M for Montreal has provided the town with one last festival hurrah. It's a week of great Canadian music, and it's four days to ignore the inevitable winter weather.
Along with great headliners, M for Montreal provides us with a glimpse of the country's best rising acts. Quebec's buzzing artists get a terrific platform to showcase their talent, and the festival attendee gets an early look at future Canadian stars. Last year, we caught the always fun Grimes, Jazz Cartier, and Harrison, among others. This year's edition may have lacked that same level of star power, but it certainly made up for it with quality surprises. Here are the five acts we loved at this year's, M for Montreal.
Wilsen
Wilsen
Brooklyn dreampop outfit, Wilsen, calmed our nerves during their empyrean set at the historic, Rialto Theatre. It may seem lazy to call the band's music "atmospheric", but it's never been a more apt description, as Wilsen effectively builds worlds with their songs. Between siren vocals and a wash of moody guitars, the group filled the room and commanded our undivided attention. Wilsen's melancholic tunes coated the walls with wispy echoes, culminating in a beautifully somber setting. It was solemn way to kick off the festival on its opening night, but it definitely left us anticipating their debut album, which is out next spring.
FRIGS
Arts & Crafts signee, FRIGS, confidently employs a driving post-punk beat, and peppers it with a heaping tablespoon of sludge and grit. The Toronto band took over Cafe Cleopatra last Thursday, surrounded by the venue's neon glow, and trudged us all along a punchy hour of psych rock. Lead singer, Bria Salmena, screamed her soul into the mic, only taking a break to jump into the crowd where she came face-to-face with shook bystanders. It was a labouring experience, and we mean that in the best way possible.
Heartstreets
Heartstreets
Earlier this year, we named Heartstreets one of our Montreal's Next. Their festival spot at Club Soda, was our first look at the duo's live act, and the result was a delightful confirmation of our excitement. The two longtime friends consistently showed their chemistry, effortlessly trading bars with quiet storm hooks. While they could only work with a miniscule catalogue, the duo left enough of an impression to solidify their reputation and build upon their local buzz.
KROY
We've paid attention to Camille Poliquin for quite some time now. In fact, she made last year's list of festival discoveries. While the Montreal artist came to 2015's M for Montreal as a green solo act, she arrived this time as a burgeoning star. Bedroom electronica can often sound stale in a live setting, but KROY delivered an impressive set at Newspeak - where we were treated to much of her debut project, Scavenger. One half of Milk & Bone, Poliquin translated incredibly well to a dimly lit club, where she was backed by RIYLs and proud Quebecois, Fjord and Ghostly Kisses.
RYAN Playground
RYAN Playground
It was Saturday night and Saint-Laurent's Apartment 200, was filled to the brim. This of course, is pretty typical for the Montreal hotspot - and for festival attendees, it was an authentic dose of the city's nightlife. The faux house party, was also host to local producer, RYAN Playground, who handled the midnight soundtrack. Along with sure hits, like "Shutdown", the DJ mixed in an unexpected Zelda mashup, that was thankfully way more cool than corny. Ryan shared her set with fellow Montrealer, Thomas White, and together, the two sustained vibes with trap-fueled bangers and classic retro jams.
