What's Cool at M For Montreal 2023
What better way to curb the effects of daylight savings than a weekend of music? The wide-ranging curation of the M For Montreal music festival returns from November 15th-18th, 2023. Offering exceptional programming from two distinctive lineups, the shows from the festival’s Official Selection are available exclusively to festival delegates and pro pass holders, while the Marathon bills are open to music fans alike. Discover Also Cool’s M For Montreal top picks in the highlight below, featuring never-before-seen artists for the mag to keep on your listening radar. Also Cool’s official M For Montreal playlist will be updated with more must-see acts in the week leading up to the festival.
Cartel Madras via Bandcamp
Marathon
Calgary-raised, Chennai-born Cartel Madras promises to stir a fervent atmosphere. The Desi experimental hip hop duo, composed of sisters Eboshi and Contra, commands audiences with their explosive blend of trap, punk, house and South Indian aesthetics - a genre they’ve coined as “Goonda rap.” For bold flows and anthems of resistance, hit Sala Rossa for the Consequence showcase on Saturday, November 18th.
Alix Fernz via Instagram
Marathon
Sainte-Thérèse expat Alix Fernz (AKA Blood Skin Atopic) is the latest mistfit darling of Montreal indie label Mothland. Thriving in the allure of mischievous freak-pop, Fernz’s debut single “Wax” intrigues with its tightroping of post-punk and synthwave. Fernz plays alongside Hippie Hourah, presented by Simone Records, at Ausgang Plaza on Saturday, November 18th.
Blesse by Gaëlle Leroyer
Official Selection
blesse is the sonic renaissance of former Zen Bamboo members Léo Leblanc, Charles-Antoine Olivier, and Xavier Touikan. Hot off the arrival of their debut album normal (Simone Records), the Montreal trio recently rocked Festival De Musique Émergente and Le Phoque Off with their distinctive garage-meets-hyperpop flare. See what all the fuss is about on Thursday, November 16th at Quai des Brumes.
Heaven For Real by Beatrice Scharf-Pierzchala
Marathon* (available to pro and festival pass holders)
Quaint Toronto-via-Halifax art rock outfit Heaven For Real is the brain child of twins Mark and J. Scott Grundy. Between jangly rhythms and playful musings on every day life, the group has endeared audiences with their breezy, yet contemplative, songwriting for over a decade. Embrace the warm and fuzzies at their M gig, presented by The Current, at Café Cléopâtre on Saturday, November 18th.
Poolblood by Kate Killet
Marathon* (available to pro and festival pass holders)
Polaris long-lister poolblood—the nom-de-plum of Toronto singer-songwriter Maryam Said—has made a splash with their full-length debut mole (Next Door records). Recorded entirely analog, poolblood’s mole is a tender, lush collection of bedroom-folk introspections. For a moment of poignant stillness, catch them alongside Heaven For Real at Café Cléopâtre on Saturday, November 18th.
