POP Montreal is celebrating a milestone year with an equally stellar lineup.
The influential indie pop festival is returning to Montreal's Mile End neighbourhood from Sept. 23-27 for its 25th edition, shining a spotlight on international talent, local legends and homegrown rising acts across different alternative scenes. Last year, the festival was ahead of the curve with Angine de Poitrine, including the band on its lineup months before their meteoric rise.
This year's programming features a diverse mix of acts spanning numerous musical genres, from the cinematic and ambient soundscapes of acts like A Winged Victory for the Sullen and Chad VanGaalen to indie rock band Luna and British post-punk outfit High Vis. Famed Vancouver journalist Nardwuar the Human Serviette is another standout on the lineup, known for his remarkably deep research skills and quirky interviews. His appearance at the festival comes after he was appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honours, at the tail end of 2025.
For this milestone edition, the festival is bringing back the defunct music venue Le Divan Orange, which closed in 2017 and was located on St. Laurent Boulevard. The venue will return for three special nights, two of which will feature performances by the late-2000s Montreal indie rock band Plants and Animals.
In addition to concerts, the festival's takeover of numerous iconic bars and venues in Montreal's Mile End neighbourhood will include several special celebrations. Secret City Records, the influential Canadian label that has seen major success with artists like Patrick Watson and through key sync placements in film and television, will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the festival with a special show featuring Klô Pelgag, Brad Barr, Basia Bulat and many more. The Heated Rivalry craze also continues at POP Montreal, as the festival will host a special live show and book launch themed around the book and show on Sept. 28.
Check out the first batch of names below and find more info here.
POP Montreal First Names 2026POP Montreal
