Montreal might be the only place in the world I would consider moving to without visiting first. Long, freezing-ass winters, a shady history of questionable Catholic practices, and a three hundred-year-old fort smack dab in the middle of it: no other living-situation prospect warms the nostalgic heart of a Polish expat in North America more.
Plus, the lineup of this year’s POP Montreal, the 17th edition of the city’s non-profit multidisciplinary festival, is looking pretty damn sick; even more so with the recent unveiling of several exciting names as part of the last wave of announcements.
The eclectic final round of programming includes TMT-fav producer SOPHIE, veteran rockabilly-crossover singer Wanda Jackson, Chicago dirty rap sensation CupcakKe, and also a band my older brother likes called Wolf Parade. (Bill Callahan, Zola Jesus, U.S. Girls, and JPEGMAFIA were also added to the bill, to the great joy of thousands of people who know how to use the verb pogner in a sentence.)
Besides music, the extended POP Montreal weekend will feature film screenings (including documentaries about Betty Davies, Lena Platanos, and Joan Jett), assorted talks, panels, workshops, a contemporary art section, an artisinal fair, and even activities for kids.
The festival takes place in the city of Toronto, Canada (just kidding) between September 26 and 30. Check out its full program, all of its artists, and a classic Wanda Jackson song below: