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

It’s not often you witness a band’s rise to stardom unfold in real-time, but for Irish post-punkers Fontaines DC, it’s evident they’re on the fast track to world-renowned rock star status. With every new release, the shows grow larger, the crowds become more fervent, and the band’s presence in the music world becomes increasingly undeniable.

There are truly no words to properly articulate how much I enjoyed Piece by Piece,  released on October 11th, 2024.

Arriving at the venue not too long before 8:00 PM proved to be just in the nick of time, which was a stark reminder of how much condo developers in Montréal have changed the live music landscape. In light of the recent closing of La Tulipe and the loss of Le Divan Orange back in 2017, both over noise complaints by new neighbours, venues like Bar "Le Ritz" P.D.B seem to be pushing the start times earlier to avoid the same consequence.

I’m writing this about a week after seeing Lightning Bolt live because I cannot seem to get the night out of my head. The show was something I had been looking forward to since they announced it back in July, and after a venue change and a scare of selling out, my expectations were set very high.