Montreal heads – it’s time for POP Montreal! The city’s biggest party kicks off today and rolls through Sept. 20th with a massive lineup of shows, talks, chef takeovers and tons more. An unbelievable array of artists are taking over stages all over the city. Pack this guide in your digital pocket for all the goods on the go.
It’s the MIMS Guide to POP – let’s do this:
Mochilla in Montreal
B+ aka Brian Cross and Eric Coleman are names most Hip-Hop heads are familiar with. The men behind Mochilla are some of most-recognized photographers and film producers documenting the L.A. Hip-Hop and beatmaking scenes over the last 20 years. They hit Montreal for the first time ever at POP. Catch B+ in conversation with emcee extraordinaire Narcy, then the launch of their exhibit ‘If It Fits In A Backpack’ at ArtGang.
Wed 9/16
B+ In Conversation with Narcy
6 PM
@ Concordia University (1455 de Maisonneuve Ouest, room H-100)
Free
Info here
Thurs 9/17
Launch: Mochilla ‘If It Fits in a Backpack’ Retrospective
w/ The Goods, Voyage Funktastique, Mochilla + special guests
6 PM
@ ArtGang (6524 St-Hubert)
Free 6-9 PM, $15 afterwards
Info + tix here
Micachu and The Shapes
If you’re a fan of pop that pushes the limits, look no further than Micachu and The Shapes. Mica Levi is one of the UK’s most intriguing producers (exhibit A: Feeling Romantic, Feeling Tropical and Tirzah) and acclaimed composers (exhibit B: ‘Under the Skin’ soundtrack). Hot on the heels of her latest album Good Bad Happy Sad with The Shapes, Mica is on fire. Tickets are almost gone for this, so move with the quickness.
Wed 9/16
11 PM @ Bar le ‘Ritz’ P.D.B. (179 rue Jean-Talon Ouest)
$15 adv / $20 door
Info + tix here
Kaytranada
As we impatiently await his upcoming debut album on XL, Kaytranada touches down in his hometown for a rare speaker-rattling performance. Planet Giza and Graves on support. Tix are sold out, so make friends with someone with a +1.
Thurs 9/17
1:30 AM
@ SAT (1201 Boul. St-Laurent)
Tix $30 (sold out – check FB event for updates)
Info here.
Jai Nitai Lotus
Montreal’s best kept Hip-Hop secret brings his anthems and rallying cry to join the revolution to the multi-mirrored Balattou. Every time he hits the stage, magic happens. Make sure to witness him live if you haven’t had a chance yet.
Thurs 9/17
9 PM
@ Balattou (4372 blvd. St-Laurent)
w/ Princess Eud & Ded Kra-Z, Hvllows + more
$10 door
Tix + info here
Jean Grae
The phrase ‘modern-day Hip-Hop renaissance woman” barely sums up the sheer force that is Jean Grae. Get ready for a 1-2 punch this Friday with the ill emcee, producer, writer, comedian (Life With Jeannie, anyone?). Check her in conversation with Matt Sonzala at 1:30 PM, then onstage later that night, ripping apart the Club Soda sound system, bar by bar.
Jean Grae Is Your Favourite with Matt Sonzala
Fri 9/18
1:30 PM
@ POP Quartiers (3450 St-Urbain)
Free
Info here.
Jean Grae w/ Cannibal Ox, Waisu + more
Fri 9/18
9 PM
@ Club Soda (1225 boul. Saint-Laurent)
$25 adv / $30 door
Tix + info here.
Record Fair
For those fiending for wax, head over to the annual POP Montreal Record Fair. Dozens of local and international collectors, record labels and shops are unloading gems by the crateful. Get ready to get your fingers dusty.
Sat 9/19 and Sun 9/20
@ St. Michel Church (105 St-Viateur Ouest)
11 AM – 6 PM
Free
More info here
Ponderosa Stomp Revue with Barbara Lynn, Lil’ Buck Sinegal and the Key-Lites
Barbara Lynn and Lil’ Buck Sinegal are artists driven to bring the blues to the people, no matter the challenges. Touring juke joints in the Jim Crow era, these folks are living examples of overcoming hardship to express the pain and joy in their lives. Don’t miss this rare appearance of two unsung blues heroes, and subjects of the film ‘Juke Joint Blues’, which screens just before the performance.
Sat 9/19
Film screening: 8:45 PM
Show: 9:45 PM
@ Phi Centre (407 rue Saint-Pierre)
$30 adv
Info + tix here
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