3 music festivals rule the scene this weekend

FIMAV, Pouzza and the One Man Band Festival started last night. Here are highlights of what they’re bringing to the stage this weekend + even more amazing shows.

facebookLike summer sweat and bugs, festival season is finally upon us. Three big ‘uns began last night: the punkrockopalooza Pouzza Fest, the One Man Band Festival and the vanguard of experimental and progressive music, the Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville (FIMAV) happening just a stone’s throw away from our burg in a (usually) sleepy Quebec town.

Friday: As previously mentioned, Pouzza Fest is in motion, and to check out the over 200 bands strewn over nine venues (all within walking distance of each other), go to the festival’s website to get the goods.

The programming at  the 30th anniversary edition of FIMAV will make the short drive to Victoriaville worthwhile, starting tonight with Jerusalem in My Heart. Also playing tonight is Richard Pinhas with guitar terrorist Keiji Haino, noise god Merzbow and Tatsuya Yoshida. If that hasn’t already singed yer peepers, the night is being capped off by an extremely rare appearance by heavy psych lords Ufomammut. Damn!

Tonight at FIMAV is certainly nothing to sneeze at, but my big pick for the show of the week, happening in town at Hemisphère Gauche, is NYC’s Profound Lore signees Castevet, crushing craniums with the black metal of Toronto’s Thantifaxath and support from locals Black Scorn and Perchten. This should be nothing short of stellar for those who march to the beat of a misanthropic drummer. People wearing novelty sized sunglasses will not be admitted. 221 Beaubien E., 8:30 p.m., $13

If you can only make one show at the One Man Band Festival, better make it their Outsider Bands night with Wax Mannequin (who killed at Brasserie Beaubien on a particularly wintry night a few months back), Jenny Omnichord, Smoota and Tony Ezzy at Divan Orange. 4234 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $11

In preparation for their big appearance in Victoriaville on Sunday, Duchess Says will blow off some cobwebs at le Belmont with El Napolean and Police des Moeurs, plus an expo & DJ set by Analogue Addiction. 4483 St-Laurent, 10:30 p.m., $12/$15

Saturday: For a truly debaucherous night, you can check out the new joint by Montreal titans of trash Bloodshot Bill and Mark Sultan (aka BBQ): the Ding Dongs, sure to pack up l’Esco. 4467 St-Denis, 9 p.m.

For a night of dark minimal synth, post-punk and pummelling industrial, you can catch Skull Katalog, ex-Grand Trine duder Tobias Rochman and Pelvic Floor at la Vitrola. 4602 St-Laurent, 8:30 p.m., $7

FIMAV continues its utterly mind-destroying programming with guitarist extraordinaire Fred Frith, with support from Evan Parker. Also happening in Victoriaville is Keiji Haino, Oren Ambarchi and Sunn O)))’s Stephen O’Malley taking turns with their decibel blast.

Sunday: Although Pouzza Fest will have overtaken the city as of Thursday, they’re definitely saving the best for last when they pick up their stakes at Underworld: the bill includes O.G. NYHC crew Reagan Youth with Cancon punk legends Dayglo Abortions, the Brains, Turbo A.C.’s, Vulgar Deli and a shit-ton more stellar punk fuggin’ rawk. 1403 Ste-Elisabeth, 3 p.m. (yes, in the afternoon!), $40

FIMAV also goes out with a bang with a night of true musical artistry when Colin Stetson proves why he is one of the best musicians who has ever called Montreal home, alongside Sarah Neufeld. Finally FIMAV turns off its light for another year with Duchess Says, who will blow the pipes out of the mouths of the elbow-patched jazzbos still lingering around.

Tuesday: One of the most energetic bands in Montreal is les Breastfeeders, and they will keep their candle burning brightly at Club Soda for a charity show with Lakes of Canada and Paul Cargnello. 1225 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $20/$10 for students

Wednesday: For a night of riotous indie rock, you can catch TV Freaks and the Famines. L’Escogriffe (4467 St-Denis), 10 p.m., $8

 

Current obsession: True Widow, A.H.A.T.H.H.A.F.T.C.T.T.C.O.T.E.

jonathan.cummins@gmail.com