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!


Tiny Fest 2024

It’s important for me to preface this article by saying that I am not a local. Hailing from a small town, I grew up with a remarkable lack of live music experiences. This is not due to a lacking of musical talent, or creative, driven people, but rather to a sad number of venues; if you didn’t want to go to the (vaguely shit) local pub, there really wasn’t much hope for live music at all. This is one thing that has charmed me about Montreal so much, and has helped develop my passion for local music into a semi-career - there is a venue, good or not, on what feels like every street corner.


An Interview With Field Guide

CJLO DJ and music director Aviva sat down with Dylan Macdonald of Winnipeg-based folk rock project Field Guide to chat about touring, Prarie influences, and more, ahead of his Montreal show.

Tune in to The Alley Fridays at 11am, only on CJLO and catch Field Guide at Casa del Popolo November 8th, 2024. 


Collective Effervescence with Eliza McLamb at Bar Le Ritz

Years ago in American high school, there was a pretty girl in my year whose friends were friends with my friends; she played guitar and worked at the perfume store next to the kratom cafe I frequented. Fast forward seven years and that girl is a touring musician selling out venues to screaming fans and I’m getting guest-listed for her show. Eliza McLamb’s debut album Going Through It, released on her birthday at the beginning of this year, is emotionally raw and wrecked.


POP Montreal: Saturday

POP Montreal returned for its annual weekend of concert after concert spread over 5 days, with over 400 artists and bands playing at over 50 venues across the city. On Thursday, CJLO staff attended a few of the shows POP had to offer

 

Lisa Rupnik


Myles Smith Leaves Montreal Slightly Less Lonely

Halfway through the first leg of The Slightly Less Lonely Tour, Myles Smith stopped in Montreal for the first time on Saturday, October 26th. The tour, sparked by his TikTok successes and his breakout hit “Stargazing”, drew a passionate crowd to the Theatre Beanfield, eager to experience his emotional and personal sound live.


Empress Of's Birthday Eve Show at Bar Le Ritz

Empress Of’s birthday-eve show at Bar Le Ritz closed out the North American leg of her tour for her newest album For Your Consideration. The show was opened by Casey MQ, a former Torontonian DJ turned Los Angeles producer, whose soft vocals cooed into the microphone and coaxed the dispersed audience toward the stage.


The Art of the Unconventional: Experiencing Xiu Xiu Live and In Album

Few bands have the ability to create music that feels like both a confessional and a confrontation, but Xiu Xiu’s artistry does just that. Xiu Xiu performed in Montreal on October 18th, less than a month after releasing their latest album, 13” Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips, marking another milestone for the California-based band that has been around since 2002.


David Cross Band's Four-Hour King Crimson Cookout

    David Cross Band’s performance at Club Soda was one of the most alienating evenings of live music I have ever endured. It was in most ways, objectively lame, but much of it was so endearing or otherwise strange that this feeling of inadequacy was easy to forget about. I have seldom felt so out of place in my entire life.


Sueco Surfs The Night Away

For his first time in Montreal, Sueco took the stage at Le Studio TD for a roaring Tuesday night on The Attempted Lover Tour: The namesake of his most recent album.


Danny Brown Demonstrates His Legacy at the SAT Space

For over a decade now, Danny Brown’s name has been unavoidable when discussing the state of modern hip-hop. Catering to a more dedicated audience than your average rapper, Brown has carved a name for himself as a legendary MC, rapping with ease over beats that would give your favourite lyricist a heart attack.


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