Concert Reviews

CTRL ALT delves into the dynamic world of alternative music; from sultry R&B to soft rock, to the unique experimentalists, to those whose tracks you just can't put in a box, and to those who make major waves in waters once still. This column chronicles concert and album reviews, artist interviews, live jazz spots in the city, Montreal's DJ scene, music news, and more. Look out for the parallel radio show CTRL ALT, airing soon! 

When Cannibal Corpse roll through town, you know it’s going to be a good day. And Nov. 5 was no exception as their headlining North American tour rolled through Montreal.

Batushka (Батюшка) and Hate brought Polish black metal to a sold out Bar Le Ritz on October 19th. The Montreal date was one of the concluding stops on the 24-date North American Pilgrimage tour.

British riff titans Conan opened their “Doom Over Canada” tour in Montreal on October 27 at Foufounes Electriques. The unique 10-stop jaunt will see the band grace Canada east to west with their blend of slow yet hard-hitting sludgey sonics - presumably ending in Vancouver on Nov. 6 (the location is to be confirmed, but it’s a logical point to end the tour).

As we swung into October, crisp weather, colourful trees, and the POP Montreal Music Festival reappeared to remind us of the everchanging seasons. More than 400 local and overseas artists and bands gathered at over 50 venues around the Mile End area and across the city for another glorious week of live music to raise the chilly spirits. 

For the last few years prior to the pandemic I had been quite fortunate to attend FME, Festival de Musique Émergentes in Rouyn-Noranda. So much so that the festival is now something I always anticipate. So after a couple of years' absence and this being the 20th anniversary of the festival, I was particularly excited about heading up to this year's edition. The usual seven hour drive turned into an epic test of patience when every road ahead was traffic jammed.

2022 has seen a lot of action for synthwave in Montreal. April saw Dance with the Dead rock Les Foufounes Électriques and just before that, Carpenter Brut having stormed through M-Telus. The double bill of Perturbator and HEALTH on September 8 brought another taste of the niche genre, this time at the Corona Theatre.