POP Montreal Festival Commercial

After some miscommunication last week over my media accreditation status, which was solved yesterday with a few emails and calls (seriously Toronto-based arts editors, I understand that TIFF is happening and you’re busy, but would it kill you to check your emails once or twice a day?), I’m going to be attending my first ever Pop Montreal in ten days. Besides the fact it means I get to return to my favourite city in Canada (sorry Toronto!) for the second time in two months, the lineup is one of the best of any festival that I’ve been to or heard about this year. Not only are there expertly-curated showcases featuring some of my favourite up-and-coming rappers, including Lil B (whose confirmed attendance has already inspired the hashtag #BasedPop), Big K.R.I.T., Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, and Joey Bada$$, there’s a lot of new artists from all different genres that I’m really excited to check out. Like who you ask? Without looking at the list, there’s Talking Heads frontman David Byrne & St. Vincent, DIIV, Purity Ring, Cadence Weapon, Wild Nothing, Peaches, Grimes, Lunice, Elite Gymnastics, Black Atlass, Evian Christ (see below), and many, many more. There’s also the annual charity basketball game which features Arcade Fire leader Win Butler (from what I’ve read, he goes hard in da paint) and one of the guys from The Strokes. Did I mention this festival is in Montreal? Just checking.