Saturday is the highlight day for Montréal en Lumière with the annual Nuit Blanche taking place. For those new to the city, this event takes place all day and night (and overnight) in a variety of locations with more events and activities than I care to count.
For people interested in the music part, there’s no way to preview even a fraction of the stuff going on so it’s best you check out the music schedule for yourself and pick out whatever you like. What we’ve done for this preview is to highlight three shows going on Friday night when there’s a little less action. All fit well into the local arts community vibe of Nuit Blanche, featuring local artists playing shows for reasonable prices.
A word of advice, regardless of your interests, the real key to a successful night is getting around in a timely manner. Get yourself a night pass from the STM since metros will be running all night or take advantage of the shuttle service offered.
Sean Nicholas Savage + Cafe Lanai
Our first suggestion for a pre-Nuit Blanche party is over at La Vitrola where local singer / songwriter / Indie Idol Sean Nicholas Savage and Cafe Lanai will be playing as part of a Blue Skies Turn Black showcase. Both acts are unique and original in their songwriting and should be on your list for this weekend if you’re looking for something a little more fresh and different.
Savage has released ten studio albums on Montreal-based Arbutus records (Grimes’ label), the latest being The Magnificent First. He is also known as a bit of an unorthodox philosopher, something that comes out in his songs.
Sean Nicholas Savage and Cafe Lanai play La Vitrola, 4602 Boulevard St. Laurent, Friday, March 3rd, 10:00pm (Doors at 9:00pm), $8 in advance through the box office or $10 at the door.
Rust Eden + Krief + Tendre
Divan Orange is also hosting a show on Friday night in conjunction with Indie Montréal and Montréal en Lumière that’s perfect for setting off your busy weekend. The three acts set to hit the stage are Rust Eden, Krief and Tendre, all local Indie performers who represent our city’s musicians quite well.
Rust Eden released their first album Apartment Green in 2016. Their indie rock sound in punctuated by elements of psychedelia and space rock, creating a very Montreal sound.
Rust Eden, Krief and Tendre play Divan Orange, 4234 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Friday, March 3rd, 9:30pm.
Ouijatrash + Street Sleeper + Calomine
For those who prefer something a little more, ummm… loud, you can head over to Crobar for a self described “Night of Mischief” presented by the good people over at Grimey Mtl and featuring Ouijatrash, Street Sleeper and Calomine. I’m not fully sold on the “mischief” part, this might be a little more like mayhem with a lineup that hardly takes it easy with their tunes.
Cover is only five bucks so it’s well worth stopping in if you’re downtown on Friday night.
Ouijatrash, Street Sleeper and Calomine play Crobar, 1221 Crescent, Friday, March 3rd, 9:00pm (Doors at 8:00), $5 (only at the door).
* 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!
