Pop Montreal Preview Part 1 (Wednesday, Sept. 29)
The Dears @ Mission Santa Cruz
It’s only fitting that we start things off with Montreal’s own The Dears who not only played the festival in it’s first year but will be playing three consecutive night’s of this year’s fest. Each night the band will play their forthcoming album in it’s entirety so by going to one of these shows you will be one of the first people in the world to hear the new material. The band has seen quite a few lineup changes over the years with the husband and wife team of Murray Lightburn and Natalia Yanchak remaining as the band’s only two constant members. The current lineup has old time members Patrick Krief, Rob Benvie and Roberto Aquilla returning to duty along with the band’s newest member, Jeff Luciani. All three shows will take place at 9:30 PM at the Mission Santa Cruz on the corner of Rachel and Clark. For the first of the three shows Manitoba’s Imaginary Cities will be opening. Tickets are $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door and can be purchased online here.
Menomena! + Suckers + Tu Fawning @ La Sala Rossa
This one may just be the best show happening on day 1. Not only because Portland, Oregon indie rock trio Menomena! are playing in support of their brand new LP, Mines (out now on Barsuk), but because along with an obviously great headliner, the night’s openers are two of the buzziest band’s around right now, and for good reason. Suckers are one of the best things to come out of Brooklyn lately and Tu Fawning, who also hail from Portland, are touring in support of their forthcoming debut LP entitled, Hearts on Hold, which will be released on October 5th and from what we have heard these guys are definitely a band to watch so be sure to show up early to see them play. The show kicks off 8:30 and tickets can be purchased right here for $15.00.
Villagers @ Casa Del Popolo
One of our biggest musical discoveries of the past year and one of the shows we are most excited about at this year’s Pop Montreal festival is Dublin, Ireland’s Villagers. For this show, Villagers front-man Conor J. O’Brien will be taking to the stage alone so expect a different experience than we hear on the band’s stunning debut album, Becoming a Jackal, but we have a feeling that O’Brien will do just fine on his own. Be sure to get to this one early as the show will take place at the quaint Casa Del Popolo and we suspect there will be quite a few people there. Chapel Hill, North Carolina’s Lost in the Trees will open at 10:00 PM and Villagers will play at 11.00 PM. Tickets are $12.00 and can be purchased here.
The Breezes @ Quai Des Brumes
After playing a whole slew of shows in the spring The Breezes have been kind of quiet lately, besides a series of free EPs that the band released on their blog. They are getting back in the saddle on day 1 of Pop Montreal this year as they will be headlining the Bande A Part showcase that will take place on Wednesday night at Quai des Brumes. Also on the bill are Les Incendiaires, Gigi French and Christopher Smith and the Beckon Call. This show also kicks off at 9:30 PM which may lead to some tough choices on day 1.
Murder by Death @ Petit Campus
If you’re in the mood for something a little more on the loud side, Bloomington, Indiana rock band Murder by Death may be just what the doctor ordered on day 1. They will be playing over at Petit Campus at 9:45 PM. The band is on tour in support of their new album Good Morning, Magipie which was released April 6th on Vagrant Records. This isn’t just your average run of the mill rock band. Why you ask? Ask the band’s cellist Sarah Balliet. Tickets are $13.50 and can be purchased by clicking here. Buddy McNeil and the Magic Mirrors will open.
We Are Wolves @ Little Burgundy Pop Loft
And for some Wednesday late night fun why not hop on over to the Little Burgundy Pop Loft (6600 Hutchison) to check out Montreal’s We Are Wolves who will make you boogie with their brand of electronica tinged post-punk. We know it’s a Wednesday and you probably have to work or go to school the next day but Pop Montreal only comes around once a year so I think we can all make an exception. Electric Electric and Nautiluss will open and tickets can be purchased here for $15.00.
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Click here for the full day 1 schedule
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