by JOHNSON CUMMINS

The fourth instalment of Pop Montreal is underway, and this year’s line-up is guaranteed to have you running all over town. Here are some of my personal picks:

Tonight: Billy Childish, a true legend, is a definite don’t-miss when he plays at la Sala Rossa at midnight. Proggy boogie rockers the Illuminati make two appearances this year—if you miss them at 1 a.m. at Petit Campus tonight, you can catch them on Saturday, again at Petit Campus, at 11 p.m. One of the great secrets at this year’s fest is Bend Sinister. They may be named after a Fall record, but picture the Mars Volta’s technical prowess with 10CC’s tunefulness. You can check them out at 8:30 p.m. at Petit Campus. Americana legend Johnny Dowd plays at the Green Room at midnight, while Et Sans lay down the krautrock groove and improvisational brouhaha at le Divan Orange at 8 p.m. One of the sickest Montreal live bands right now would have to be les Breastfeeders. Show up at Quai des Brumes at 10 p.m. and find out why.

Friday: The two big shows I’m probably most excited about both happen tonight. First up is the stacked bill at Cabaret—the Sunday Sinners, the Deadly Snakes and the amazing Dirtbombs. Another big buzz show is Weird War (featuring ex-Make Up dude Ian Svenonius) at Sala at midnight. Le Divan Orange hosts CPC Gangbangs, Crackpot, the American Devices and Demon’s Claws, an early show starting at 6 p.m. If you miss DC on Friday, you can also catch them at Zoobizarre late on Saturday night. The Sainte Catherines’ alter-ego band Yesterday’s Ring get things countrified at 11 p.m. at Quai des Brumes, while ex-Secretaires Volantes act Call Me Poupée make the trek to Zoobizarre more than worthwhile. Show up late for this one.

Saturday: Wizards of tambourines and river dancing, the Adam Brown prove why they are one of the funnest live bands in the city at Cabaret at 9:30 p.m., where a “special secret surprise guest” wraps things up there at half past midnight. Rockers Priestess ignite the newly-renovated Petit Campus (with an increased capacity and improved sound system) at 1 a.m., but show up early to catch Nitrosonique at midnight. One of the greatest live bands around would be Japan’s Zoobombs, who obliterate El Salon at 1 a.m.. Ex-Tricky Woo/Soft Canyon act Trailer play Barfly at midnight. Missed the big, secret Islands show last Friday at Zoobizarre? No problem, check them out at Academy at 1 a.m.

Sunday: The only show that you absolutely have to see on Sunday is the comedic genius of Neil Hamburger, who lays down the yuks at 11 p.m. at Zoobizarre.

THAT’S MY LIFE! jonathan.cummins@gmail.com

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