This week we’re focused on the local music scene with some great shows that, in some cases, are for very worthy causes. The forecast for this weekend is sexy sunshine all the way through so tell your roommate you’re wearing the flip-flops this weekend cause you’ve got some shows to go to!

Nancy Pants + L.A. Witch + Femme Accident

Head over to L’Escogriffe on Friday and check out Nancy Pants, winner of this week’s coveted “coolest band you should have heard of” award. If you want to know more about this Montreal based trio then check out the exclusive interview they gave to FTB just after the launch of their first album.

Joining them on the stage will be West Coast rockers L.A Witch who are in the midst of ripping through the North East of our continent on tour in support of The Kills. Lucky for us they’ve decided to swing by our fair city to give us a good dose fuzzy reverb.

Rounding out the show will be Femme Accident whose synthy surf rock sound and mellow vocals will be perfect for a warm summer night.

 With a solid lineup top to bottom and tickets being only ten bucks it’s no surprise this show tops our list.

Nancy Pants, L.A. Witch and Femme Accident play l’Escogriffe, 4467 Boul. Saint-Denis,  Friday, May 20th, 9:00pm, $10, 18+.

Syngja Album Launch

Later this month Montreal musicians Syngja are set to release their debut album Lang Amma. Tonight though they will be hitting the Rialto stage for an album release show.

Their music is a combination of new and old: Trippy electronica, psychedelic pop and hypnotizing vocals are mixed with traditional Icelandic folk music and “a cappella tape recordings of Syngja’s Icelandic great-grandmother” to form a mesmerizing and very unique listening experience.

For those looking to see a show outside the rock bar experience, this is the one for you.

Syngja play Théâtre Rialto, 5723 Ave. Du Parc , Thursday, May 19, 9:00pm (Doors 8:30pm), $17.

Fort Mac Fire Fund

I think the title of the show says it all. The recent devastation in and around Fort McMurray has certainly been in the thoughts and minds of people across the country.

Four local acts: Jimmi Quinni (of Light Bulb Alley), Hollis and AmelieGentle Mystic (aka Ceilidh Michelle) and Jesse Chase have taken upon themselves to do a fundraiser for the devastated region. So head down to Chez Boris Friday night to hear some good music for a good cause!

 Jimmi Quinni, Hollis and Amelie, Gentle Mystic and Jesse Chase play Chez Boris , 5151 Parc Ave, Friday, May 20, 8:00pm, pay what you can at the door.

Towanda + Heathers + Five Eyes + Lenition + Big Sissy

Speaking of good causes you can support, why not head down tonight to Brasserie Beaubien where there will be a fundraiser for the Sounding Echo Youth Committee in Attawapiskat. This pay-what-you-can show has a full lineup of five acts: Towanda, Heathers, Five Eyes, Lenition and Big Sissy.

Be advised, the show starts at 9:00 PM and from what I’m getting it’s not a “Montreal Nine” so be on time! I know for some of you it’s hard to get going at that oh-so-early hour, but do try.

 Towanda, Heathers, Five Eyes, Lenition and Big Sissy play  Brasserie Beaubien, 73 Beaubien east, Thursday, May 19th, 9:00 pm (Doors at 8:00pm), pay what you can at the door.

* Featured image of Nancy Pants by Bianca Lecompte

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!

The forecast reveals an incoming hurricane of pop heading straight for Montreal from September 16 to 20th. Umbrellas will do nothing for you; give in and embrace the vibrant shower of art and rock.

Pop Montreal is coming. <3

With over 400 artists involved, we’ve got you covered with our top 10 picks from this year’s program:

TOP 10 MUSICAL ACTS TO CATCH

#10. TASSEOMANCY Tasseomancy-374x595

Website: http://tasseoblog.tumblr.com

Bonus: Holy Data!

POP Montreal and Passovah present :Holy Data, L.A Foster, Kurvi Tasch, Tasseomancy + Wake Island – Saturday 19 September 2015– Divan Orange – Doors 7:30pm  / Show at 8 pm – Tickets 10 $

#9. THE CRIBS

Cribs-The-595x397

Website: https://www.facebook.com/thecribs

POP Montreal and Arts & Crafts present: The Cribs + Farao + Absolutely Free + invités – Saturday September 19th 2015– Théâtre Fairmount – Montreal – Doors 8:30 PM / Show 9:30 PM- $18 in advance / $20 at the door

8. ANAMAI

Website: http://anamaigrounds.tumblr.com

POP Montreal presents: The Besnard Lakes Are The 17-Piece Band + guests –Friday, September 18th, 2015-Rialto Hall (upstairs) — Doors 8:30 PM / Show 9:30 PM- Tickets $20

7. MEGA BOG

Mega-Bog-595x393

Website: https://megabog.bandcamp.com

Mild High Club + Mega Bog + Rakam + Bile Sister + Tess Roby, Saturday, September 19, Casa del Popolo, Doors 8pm / Show 8:30pm – $10 in advance/ $12 at the door

6. HUA LI

Hua-Li-595x446

Website: https://www.facebook.com/hualimusic

BONUS: Ariana Molly!

POP Montreal and Maison Sociale present: Ariana Molly + Hua Li + Prismhouse + guest- Friday, September 18th, 2015 – Maison Sociale (5386 St-Laurent)  – Show 12 am FREE!

5. OUGHT

Ought-595x397

POP Montreal presents: Ought + guests – Thursday, September 17th, 2015 – Ukrainian Federation (5213 rue Hutchison), Doors 7 pm / Show 8 pm, Tickets $15

Check out our interview with Ought!

4. BOYHOOD

Boyhood-595x365

Website: https://boyhoodsongs.bandcamp.com/

POP Montreal, Debaser, E-Tron and Analogue Addiction present: The Beverleys + Fet.Nat + Hilotrons + Boyhood + Mono No Aware – Wednesday September 16th 2015 – l’Escogriffe – Montreal, Doors 7:30PM / Show 8:30PM, $10 at the door

3. STATIC GOLD

78272_532493096778507_1414211594_o

Website:https://www.facebook.com/StaticGold

BONUS: Corinna Rose!

POP Montreal and Indie Montreal present: Static Gold + Po Lazarus + First You Get The Sugar + Corinna Rose  – Thursday, September 17th, 2015 – L’Hémisphère Gauche (221 Beaubien East) Doors 8 pm / Show 8:30 pm Tickets $10 in av / $12 at the door

2. BABES IN TOYLAND 

Babes-in-Toyland-595x397

Website: http://babesintoyland.com

Bonus: Cheap Wig!

POP Montréal and Greenland present: Babes in Toyland + Cheap Wig + Hand Cream – Théâtre Rialto :: Salle St-Ambroise –-Montreal –Saturday September 19th 2015– Doors 7PM / Show 8PM- $27 Doors 7 pm / Show 8 pm –Tickets $27

1. TOWANDA

0005108698_10

Website: http://towandauniverse.tumblr.com

POP Montreal, Loose Fit Collective and Annie present: New Fries + Steve Jr + Towanda + JLK + In Hock – Thursday September 17th 2015 – Brasserie Beaubien – Doors 8PM / Show 9PM – $10 at the door

TOP 5 EVENTS NOT TO MISS

events

5. Puces POP presents: The Puces POP Arts & Crafts Fair Thursday, September 17th to Sunday, September  20th, 2015 160 St-Viateur East – 2nd floor Thursday – Friday: 5 pm to 9 pm Saturday – Sunday: 11 a to 6 pm Opening party Thursday at 5 pm

4. Art POP, CKUT and Archive Montreal present: Montreal Shows 1965-1975: Posters, Photos and Ephemera Wednesday, September 16th to Sunday, September 20th , 2015 Vernissage: Wednesday, September 16th, 6 pm POP Quarters (3450 St-Urbain) Wed – Thu – Fri: 11 am to 8 pm Sat – Sun: 11 am to 6 pm – FREE!

3. POP Symposium and The Indigenous Studies Program at the McGill
Institute for the Study of Canada present
: Indigenous Beats Friday, September 18th, 2015 POP Quarters (3450 St-Urbain) Talk 11:30 am – FREE!

2. Kids POP presents: Film Animation Workshop Sunday, September 20th, 2015 POP Quarters (3450 St-Urbain) Workshop 11 am to 1 pm Ages 6 and up, registration required. Email kids@popmontreal.com with child’s name and age – FREE!

1. Film POP and CISM present: Showgirls (Paul Verhoeven | USA, 1995 | 131 min.) – 20thanniversary screening! Friday, September 18th, 2015 Cinéma L’Amour (4015 Saint-Laurent) Screening 11:59 pm – Tickets $10, on sale August 28th

Full Program Available at: popmontreal.com