Martha Wainwright, Jeru the Damaja and many more have been added to the lineup for the festival's milestone 25th anniversary edition, which takes place from Sept. 23-27 in local venues in Montreal.
POP Montreal's anniversary celebration just got bigger.
The Montreal festival has revealed the full lineup for its 2026 edition, which will commemorate its milestone 25th anniversary. Joining the lineup for the local multi-genre and indie-focused festival are Jamaican music legend Sister Nancy, Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid, renowned Canadian-American singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright, hip-hop golden era MC Jeru the Damaja and many more. Sister Nancy is the voice behind the legendary "Bam Bam," a classic dancehall track that has since become a staple in popular hip-hop and dance records, including house producer HUGEL's "Jamaican (Bam Bam)," which hit the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 last month.
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The festival is set to take over numerous venues in Montreal's Mile End neighbourhood from Sept. 25-27, shining a spotlight on rising acts across different alternative scenes. Its full programming reflects the melting pot of genres and styles that makes up the city's unique cultural fabric, with international names like viral American rapper Cortisa Star, New York black metal band Liturgy and local punk and hip-hop crossover act Steinz, who recently received a co-sign from Billboard chart-topper SZA.
They join a decorated roster of local talent, rising names and established Canadian who were announced as part of the festival's first names, including heroes like A Winged Victory for the Sullen and Chad VanGaalen. Nardwuar, who was appointed to the Order of Canada just before the turn of the new year, is bringing his Video Vault live show to Montreal, a live screening of his most iconic and eccentric celebrity interviews followed by a Q&A. POP Montreal continues to turn heads with established icons and soon-to-be superstars, having famously booked Angine de Poitrine at the festival last year, where they played an intimate showcase just months before their eventual global breakthrough.
POP Montreal's 25th edition is packed with celebrations, including the revival of the beloved local venue Le Divan Orange, which was located on St. Laurent Boulevard until its closure in 2017. The festival also revealed that acclaimed Indigenous singer and composer Jeremy Dutcher, winner of the 2018 Polaris Prize, has been added to the Secret City Records 20th anniversary show. He joins a star-studded lineup of artists like Klô Pelgag, who guested during Patrick Watson's stellar headline set at the Montreal Jazz Fest, Brad Barr, Basia Bulat and more to celebrate the independent Canadian label and its decades of success.
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Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid is notably appearing at Heated "Pop" Rivalry, a special live show and book launch event themed around the Canadian gay hockey romance novel and its viral onscreen adaptation. The popular Crave-produced series has been one of the biggest Canadian success stories of the year, with its soundtrack even reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart and the songs featured in the show receiving an influx of streams. Filming for the second season has just kicked off in Toronto, and the party shows no signs of slowing down for the fandom brought in by the first season.
Check out the full lineup below and find more info here.
