When I first heard MIKE in 2020, I was, as most first-time listeners are, surprised. At first glance, MIKE seems to be not much more than your average abstract hip-hop artist. Slurred bars laid over disjointed, chopped-up soul samples fill most of the rappers' tracks, but after a few minutes, it seems to transform. MIKE’s flows seem almost spiritual like he is nonchalantly tapping into a higher power to put any listener into some sort of jazz-rap trance. There is a friendliness buried in the soul chops and introspective bars, like a warm hug from someone you've known since childhood. With all this, it's easy to see how MIKE has hugely influenced the hip-hop scene.

Birds of Prrrey, Laura Krieg, Mary Jane Dunphe, 9Million at Cabaret Fouf, April 19

The Allah-Las, alongside their opener Maston - who is also their keyboardist - brought over some soothing and nostalgic sounds to a receptive crowd at the Beanfield Theatre. On a chilly Monday night in Montreal, the audience immersed themselves into the Californian psychedelic rock band’s one-hour set. A musical oasis for those who have been lucky enough to stumble upon them, the Allah-Las leaves their listeners with a sense of nostalgia for a time and place most have never experienced, but long for through the band’s music.

One of the most anticipated movies of the year, the sequel with the promise of a few musical numbers, is Joker: Folie À Deux starring Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck (Joker) and Lady Gaga as Harleen Quinzel (Harley Quinn). After watching the trailer multiple times, there are some interesting elements at play that are reminiscent of musicals like La La Land and All That Jazz. Fear not, I say, because to tide you over until the October release date we have Vera Drew’s The People’s Joker arriving in select cities and theatres. It will be playing in Montreal at Cinema Du Parc on April 28th at 9 PM. 

The last time Oneohtrix Point Never played a show in Montreal was 2018. Suffice to say, a lot has changed since then.