This year, POP Montreal boasts over 300 bands covering the entire spectrum of musical genres. The heavier genres often get ignored and are usually vastly underrepresented at music festivals of this scale. But fans of metal, punk and other forms of heavy music can find plenty of acts to suit their tastes.
BEARMACE – BEARMACE + Koko + Petty Sweat + GODS + Caves
Sep. 27, 9 p.m. @ Barfly
This Montreal band’s sound is made up of drop-tuned, chunky bass riffs reminiscent of 90s punk. BEARMACE are thrashy but melodic enough to keep things interesting.
El Salvador – El Salvador + Kurvi Tasch + Girls In Uniform + No Magic + Charlotte Day Wilson
Sep. 25, 8 p.m. @ Casa del Popolo
If you’re looking for some truly bizarre shit, this one’s for you. Lots of bands get labeled as experimental but these guys put most of them to shame. Like good drugs that sometimes turn on you, El Salvador’s music will take you for a ride. Good trip or bad, it’s the experience that matters in the end.
The BCASA – The BCASA + Loose Pistons + Adam Strangler + Wilderling
Sep. 25, 9:30 p.m. @ O Patro Vys
If you like your punk rock obnoxious and slightly juvenile, this is great stuff. Twangy guitars and vocals reminiscent of early NOFX. Wondering about the weird abbreviated name? They used to be called The Bill Cosby Anarchist Society of America. But you know, legal stuff.
Portugal. The Man – Portugal. The Man + How Sad :: SOLD OUT ::
Sep. 26, 9 p.m. @ Theatre Corona Virgin Mobile
This band doesn’t need any more attention than they already have (besides, the show is sold out) but this list would absolutely not be complete without them.
METZ – METZ + CRABE + Fist City + Evan Dubinsky (DJ set)
Sep. 29, 11 p.m. @ Église POP Little Burgundy :: Salle Little Burgundy
The best of the fests closes with an appropriately noisy punk rock party courtesy of these Toronto natives. Stop crying over Portugal. The Man being sold out and console yourself with METZ.
Honourable mentions: CRABE, Ponctuation, Crosss, Jesuslesfilles
