So what Montreal music options are there this week? Two rock shows (one of the indie and one of the heavier/punkier variety) tonight, a Jazz-Funk Explosion tomorrow and a festival dedicated to the Ukulele Friday and Saturday
Rebelle + Shotgun + The Kents + Mumu
Tonight there’s a great indie rock show going on at Casa Del popolo where four of the coolest bands you’ve probably never heard of will be taking to the stage. Headlining the event will be Wakefield Quebec’s own Rebelle whose seem to be doing something a little different by combining synthy electro pop and indie rock with fuzzy powerful guitar riffs in a way that is getting them attention as one of Canada’s up and coming acts.
Check out their track The Rapture to see what I mean (anyone else hear the intro riff to Fortunate Son at 2:30?) then check out a few more of their tracks to hear a band that clearly does not write the same song twice.
Joining them on stage will be three more Canadian acts in the form of Shotgun, The Kents and Mumu making this a four band bill all for the very reasonable price of $10.
Rebelle, Shotgun, The Kents and Mumu play Casa del popolo, 4873 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Thursday, August 11th, tickets $10.
Montreal Uke Fest
The title pretty much sums it up, this Friday and Saturday ukulele players and fans will congregate in the Plateau for the Fifth annual Montreal Uke Fest. As you would expect this is a fest with a highly interactive feel where people will be encouraged to participate in the performance as much as watch it.
It all starts Friday night with a strum along session hosted by the Ukulélé Club De Montréal where players of any level are welcome to add their four strings to the mix. On Saturday there will be workshops for up and coming players from 11 am to 5 pm at Casa del popolo and then Sala Rosa will host a uke centric concert starting at 7pm featuring Michael Wagner, U.K.E, Del Rey and Monika Cefis . For more info and tickets check out the Montreal uke fest website.
Strum Along Session takes place at Sporting Club 4671 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Friday August 12th, free.
Various Workshop take place at Casa del popolo, 4873 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Saturday August 13th, tickets and times through Montreal Uke Fest.
Michael Wagner, U.K.E, Del Rey and Monika Cefis play Sala Rosa, 4848 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Saturday, August 13th, tickets $25 in advance through Montreal Uke Fest or $30 at the door.
Debutant + The Lookout + Ashtray Heart
If full-on rock n’ roll happens to be your cup of tea, or moreover, your pint of beer, then head down to Barfly tonight to check out Edmonton rockers Debutant. This Alberta-based four piece is currently on tour to support their upcoming release Road to Nowhere.
In Montreal, they’re playing with local punk rockers The Lookout and Barfly mainstay rockers Ashtray Heart. “It’s a three piece and that’s too much already.”
Debutant, The Lookout and Ashtray Heart play Barfly, 4062A Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Thursday, August 11th, 9pm.
Montreal’s Jazz-Funk Explosion
File this under a show title that really says it all. Friday night, head down to Casa del Popolo if you’re in the mood for a jazz-funk explosion. The show features three really funky acts: L’escalier regulars Space Base, The Friendly Frogs Freak Show and Colorflow.
There’s also going to be a “Big Mama Space Coloured Freak Jam!” featuring members of the bands before the show. Yes, before. Over an hour before, to be precise, before the door officially opens.
Montreal’s Jazz-Funk Explosion is Friday, August 12th at Casa del Popolo, 4873 Boulevard St-Laurent. Doors at 8:30, show starts at 9:00, but the Big Mama Jam is at 7:45. $7. Tickets available through CasaDelPopolo
* Featured image from the Montreal Uke Fest Facebook Page
Know a band or an artist that should be featured in Shows This Week? Maybe a show FTB should cover, too? Let us know at music@forgetthebox.net. We can’t be everywhere and can’t write about everything, but we do our best!
