Sounds

Watch this MEG festival primer

by Lorraine Carpenter

The electronic music, hip hop and leftfield pop fest begins July 23. Assess the line-up with this handy guide.

Darius photo by Ced Jereb
Darius. Photo by Ced Jereb
 
It’s nearly that time — when the massive music festivals downtown have wrapped, before the massive music festivals at Parc Jean-Drapeau begin, when MEG squeezes in some stellar electronic music, hip hop and leftfield pop acts at intimate Plateau venues and on the the MEG boat, site of the annual mega party on the water.

Because these acts are not super famous (at least not yet), here is an audio-visual primer, featuring one of the acts playing every MEG festival show:
 

Doldrums

 
This electronic producer and singer-songwriter is playing MEG’s all-514 opening show alongside electro-folk trio Dear Criminals and veiled and masked late-night party duo SecretSecretGirl. (See our recent interview with Doldrums here.) La Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent), July 23, 9:30 p.m., $15/$20
 

 

J.u.D.

 
The hip hop producer will be spinning alongside fellow Montrealers High Klassified and Dave Luxe, a DJ triad that should ensure a killer party. (See our recent interview with J.u.D. here.) Le Belmont (4483 St-Laurent), July 23, 10 p.m., $15/$20
 

 

Robert Robert

 
This Montreal producer digs into the rich well of ’80s and ’90s R&B and analogue synth sound. Check him out with the Melt MTL crew and Frenchman Fake Fear. Le Belmont (4483 St-Laurent), July 24, 10 p.m., $20/$25
 

 

Syzzors

 
Catch the dream pop sizzle of this local trio, playing alongside Fragile Feet, About: and Human Human. Divan Orange (4234 St-Laurent), 10 p.m., $10
 

 

Darius

 
Darius is a house producer and DJ who’ll be manning the decks on the MEG party boat with fellow Frenchman Myd, Belgium’s DJ Slow and Montreal’s Fonkyson. Quai des convoyeurs, July 24, boarding begins 11:30 p.m. (departure midnight, return 3 a.m.), $45/$55
 

 

Ragers

 
This Montreal trap trio is playing with DJ Yes McCan and Wasiu. Divan Orange (4234 St-Laurent), July 25, 10 p.m., $10
 

 

Kill Frenzy

 
This Belgian-born, Berlin-based producer and dirtybird label artist (aka Seba) will be joining for the MEG edition of Piknic Électronik with Mandiz, Eloize, Claire, Daoust and a surprise guest. Parc Jean-Drapeau, July 26, 2 p.m., $10 before 3 p.m./$15/$13.50 online
 

 

Madeskimo

 
Musician, producer and DJ Geronimo Inutiq will be spinning a free outdoor party and native music showcase, also featuring throat singer Sylvia Cloutier and “moufia bass” artist Psychorigid. Place des Festivals (Jeanne-Mance & Ste-Catherine), July 30, 10 p.m., free
 

 

Das Mörtal

 
A Lisbon Lux Records showcase is always a good bet — check out this sci-wave artist alongside synth-pop acts le Couleur and Paupière. Divan Orange (4234 St-Laurent), July 30, 10 p.m., $10
 

 

Moses Baxter

 
This local producer is still riding the wave of his Sound of the Real record. See him with Tomas Furey, Technical Kidman and Ouri. Divan Orange (4234 St-Laurent), Aug. 1, 10 p.m., $10
 

 
The MEG festival runs from July 23-Aug. 1. See the complete program and ticket info on their website.

Posted in Sounds

by Lorraine Carpenter

Editor in chief
Lorraine Carpenter was born in Montreal and studied communications and journalism at Concordia. She co-founded Cult MTL in 2012 following 12 years at the now-defunct Montreal alt weekly the Mirror, where she worked in editorial as copy editor and music editor. She’s dedicated to supporting the cultural scene in Montreal.