Magazine

Independent, provocative, now! The CJLO Magazine is the resource for features, reviews, and interviews. Established in 2004, and run by dedicated CJLO volunteers, the magazine covers the latest and best in local and international music, art, theatre, film, festivals, and more!

The 1975: Still At Their Very Best

December 5 2023 // Carly Sinagra // Magazine // Concert Reviews

The 1975 has been “Playing on my Mind” ever since they came to Montreal’s Bell Centre Friday, November 17th, 2023. The indie-pop band has been active since the early 2010s but as the title of their tour suggests, they remain relevant across many demographics. People of all ages and genders gathered in the arena to witness the talent that is The 1975. The band’s ability to reach such a large audience is commendable and speaks to their adaptability to the fluctuating music trends of the past decade.

RIDM Celebrates Master Director Chantal Akerman

November 30 2023 // Lisa Rupnik // Film

RIDM is back with its usual programming of eclectic and dynamic documentaries from all around the world. Celebrating its 26th edition, RIDM stands by its mission of creating a platform for underrepresented voices, authentic expression and coming together, hence the origin of their French name “rencontres” or meetings. With such a diverse lineup, every individual is able to curate an experience of their own. Whether it's selecting films that speak directly to their own lived experiences or discovering something completely new to them, RIDM allows attendees to thread their own stories through viewership. 

Bars, Beats and Hip-Hops Underground Rebirth: An Interview With Maxo

November 29 2023 // Sam Kitch // Magazine // Interviews

I recently read an article on what hip-hop fans and industry professionals have called the “death of hip-hop,” covering how for the first half of this year, not a single hip-hop song or album claimed the number one spot on the Billboard 200 or Hot 100. Any true hip-hop fan can tell you that this is a terribly inaccurate and surface-level analysis of the state of the genre.

image+nation Closing Film: A Night of History and Opulence

November 28 2023 // Béatrice Pelletier // Film

November 25th was the premiere of Venus Envy: The House of Venus and the closing night of the Image+Nation film festival. Image+Nation is an 11-day festival that includes international short films, documentaries, and feature films about LGBTQ+ topics. The closing night event combined queer culture and history with visual culture. 

The night started with a drag performance. The performer was wearing a retro, 1960s-styled outfit with a bejewelled fascinator with feathers, shaped like a hand. 

Apes Wake from the End of an Inter Arma Full of Hell at Foufounes Electriques

November 27 2023 // Hunter Walwaski // Magazine // Concert Reviews

Grindcore/noise seers Full of Hell rolled through Montreal this past Wednesday. The Ocean City, Maryland/Central Pennsylvania act are currently supported on a North American tour by End, Inter Arma, and Wake.

The name of the game here is heavy. None of the bands on this bill (including extra support Apes out of Quebec City) make a habit of incorporating anything melodic in their music. This concert setup tends to either make or break acts when they hit the stage, leaving them to drown in the wall of sound or be cohesive enough to stand out above the rest.

Portugal. The Man: Do They Feel It Still?

November 22 2023 // Sofia Dawson // Magazine // Concert Reviews

It's been nearly seven years since John Gourley led his close-knit group of bandmates, Zachary Carothers, Kyle O’Quin, Eric Howk and Zoe Manville, on their embarkment into stardom. Following the release of their Grammy-worthy hit “Feel It Still”, the pop-rock band known as Portugal. The Man, found themselves in the limelight like never before. Unfavourably, with the global pandemic hitting just after the height of the bands’ success, fallout was inevitable; however, fallout does not begin to encapsulate the hardships faced by PTM. 

The Holdovers: A Poignant Picture Of Personal Growth

November 20 2023 // Daniel Braz // Film

This year has been interesting for films in the sense that it has been “the year of the epic” – without exception, the most critically and commercially successful films in 2023 have been grand in every sense of the word. The Holdovers is different. By contrast, it’s a tightly focused and tightly cast film that’s driven by the characters and the exploration of their emotional depths.

RIDM 2023: Interview with Artistic Co-Director Marlene Edoyan

November 19 2023 // Remi Caron // Magazine // Interviews

Remi interviews Artistic Co-Director of this year’s RIDM festival Marlene Edoyan. The 26th edition brings together documentary lovers from November 15th-26th through thought-provoking and socialy relevant films.

At The Movies (With Iconic Sounds is heard every Tuesday morning from 8-9 AM only on CJLO 1690 AM with your host Remi and Co-Host Danny

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Renee Rapp: A Woman for All Seasons

November 17 2023 // Carly Sinagra // Magazine // Concert Reviews

Renee Rapp, 23, star of HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls, demonstrated that she is not a one-trick pony at Montreal’s MTELUS on October 21, 2023. While playing Leighton on the series jumpstarted her career, Rapp used her following from the television show to promote her passion as she shared videos on social media of her singing original pop songs. Indeed, she may now be a more successful singer than actress as she went viral on numerous occasions which allowed Rapp the opportunity to travel the world on her ongoing “Snow Hard Feelings Tour” for her debut album Snow Angel. 

image+nation 2023: Two Films Not to Miss

November 15 2023 // Remi Caron // Magazine // Features

The image+nation festival is celebrating its 36th anniversary from November 16th to 26th, 2023. Canada’s original LGBT2SQ+ film festival that celebrates new queer storytelling is hosting both a theatrical edition in Montreal and a hybrid edition across Canada. There will also be in-person events and panel discussions along the curated 11 days of programming. Emphasizing diversity through its 175 films, image+nation has showings from over 27 countries, representing all corners of the globe. Other spotlights include Queerment Quebec, Made Au Canada, INDIGIQUEER, and a focus on France in Focus France. 

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