M for Montreal reveals 2011 lineup

This year, M for Montreal boasts 30 bands, as well as more showcases, all taking place at eight different venues in the heart of Montreal. The festival is happening from Nov. 16-19 and is meant “to be a tool of exportation and of career development” for bands, according to co-founder Sébastien Nasra.
In the spirit of exportation and career development, they are also welcoming up to 125 festival programmers, label representatives and journalists from 15 countries across four continents. And for the first time, Montreal will play host to delegates from Argentina, Mexico, Norway, Portugal and Sweden.
“It’s really fun to see how things have evolved,” said Nasra.
Earlier this year, Nasra, along with fellow co-founder and British festival programmer Martin Elbourne, formed a partnership with French music festival Les Inrocks, which will showcase Concrete Knives, AaRON and Anoraak at Petit Campus on Wednesday, Nov. 16 starting at 9:30 p.m. Between sets, UK festival The Great Escape will stage a showcase upstairs at Café Campus with special guests who, for now, remain top secret.
For its second year, the Iceland Airwaves music festival will bring Iceland’s best across the ocean and into Casa Del Popolo on Nov. 17 for a showcase that will feature For A Minor Reflection and Of Monsters and Men. While across the street at La Sala Rossa, SXSW will take hold of the stage to present Young Empires, Absolutely Free, Daniel Isaiah and Cadence Weapon.
Friday will take you back to Café Campus for a showcase by Toronto’s CMW featuring Half Moon Run, Buddy Mcneil & The Magic Mirrors and Midway State. Later that night, starting at 8:30 p.m., NYC’s CMJ will present its first-ever M showcase featuring Uncle Bad Touch, Parlovr, Hollerado, Doldrums and D’eon at La Sala Rossa and Casa Del Popolo.
The Friday night party continues for what is called “M for Midnight,” a series of after-hours showcases that will take place at L’Escogriffe (4467a St-Denis), Quai des Brumes (4481 St-Denis), Salon Officiel (351 Roy E.) and Club Soda (1225 St-Laurent). Head to Club Soda on Friday night for a showcase presented by Rubis Varia featuring Plaster, Misteur Valaire and Bran Van 3000.
This year’s Franco-M Selection includes Alexandre Desilets, Alfa Rococo, Alaclair Ensemble, Jimmy Hunt, Peter Peter, Karim Ouellet, Fanny Bloom and Canailles. The showcase will start at 2 p.m. on Nov. 19 at Café Campus.
Two very special showcases, presented by Blue Skies Turn Black and Osheaga, will wrap up the festival’s sixth edition. Head to Metropolis (59 Ste-Catherine E.) for Random Recipe, Marie-Pierre Arthur, Karkwa and another surprise guest who will play from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Afterwards, check out M’s concluding performance at the SAT (1201 St-Laurent), featuring M83.
Ambitious concert-goers who are low on cash and have plenty of time on their hands should totally consider getting a public pass. It gives you access to all showcases, including M for Midnight and M for Metropolis, for $58 taxes included.

Buy passes, tickets and read more information at M for Montreal’s website.

Related Posts