POP Montreal is back for its 24th edition and some big names are already on the bill.
The festival unveiled the first 63 names for its 2025 edition, which will be taking place between Sept. 24-28. POP Montreal brings local and international indie and pop artists to the city each year, hosting a plethora of shows in different local venues in the city's Mile End neighbourhood and beyond.
The first round of artists already reflects an eclectic mix of genres, from pop and dance to Latin and Middle Eastern music.
Montreal-based Honduran singer Isabella Lovestory is known for her unique style of "perreo-pop" and bold demeanour. Asmaa El Hamzaoui, who the festival describes as the "foremost female ambassador of Moroccan Gnawa music," is set to perform with her group Bnat Timbouktou. Palestinian hip-hop pioneers DAM and local Iraqi-Canadian rapper Narcy will also be joining forces for a show.
Montreal's own talented musicians are well represented too. Avant-garde artist Annie-Claude Deschênes of the bands PyPy and Duchess Says will be performing a solo set, while local shoegaze group No Joy will perform in support of Bugland, their first album in five years which is set for release on August 8. Psych-rock band TEKE::TEKE and singer-songwriter Myriam Gendron are also on the bill.
A celebration is in store for local underground record label DuPrince, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Hawa B, Les Shirley and Jesuslesfilles are on the bill for the anniversary show on Sept. 26.
Acclaimed acts such as top 40 bilingual hitmaker Michel Pagliaro and Mercury Prize-nominated drone folk group Lankum are also included on the bill, as are rising artists like Chanel Beads, known for his dreamy DIY brand of pop, post-rock veterans Do Make Say Think, and acclaimed Canadian-American artist U.S. Girls.
Over five days, these artists and more will be performing in local venues both big and small throughout the Mile End, such as Théâtre Fairmount, Théâtre Rialto, Bar Le Ritz PDB, Casa Del Popolo, and more.
POP Montreal has only revealed one batch of names so far, yet there is no shortage of stylistic range and genre-bending creativity on their lineup.
Check out the full POP Montreal lineup below and find tickets and more information on the festival's website.
