Your Passovah Festival primer

Nancy Pants
 
The Passovah music festival begins today. It’s a big year for the fledgling festival, which has expanded to five days and spread out to six venues. The line-up of mostly Montreal-based acts (playing mostly indie rock, pop, electronic, folk and rap music) is more impressive than ever, and while tonight’s opening show is sold out (and tomorrow’s Sam Patch show — the debut of a solo project by Arcade Fire’s Tim Kingsbury — is likely to sell out), there are plenty more Passovah shows to see, with multiple options every night, Thursday through Sunday (including a second chance to see Miracle Fortress).

Tap in to Passovah 2015 with this handly informative playlist repping one artist from (nearly) every festival show this year:
 

Miracle Fortress

 
Graham Van Pelt’s primary project hasn’t made a lot of noise since this new video dropped last fall, all the more reason to check out this show, where he’ll share the stage with Spencer Krug & co. in Moonface, as well as DJ L.A. Foster. Théatre Fairmount (5240 Parc), Wednesday, Aug. 26, 9 p.m., SOLD OUT.

Second headlining show with Nancy Pants, Kroy, Holy Data, Choses Sauvages and Archery Guild at Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent) on Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m., $12/$15
 

 

CTZNSHP, “Secret River”

 
A lovely video by this local post-punk/shoegaze band, from the record All Things to the Sea. (And in case you missed it, their cover of the Knife’s “Pass This On” is pretty great.) They’re playing a stacked bill just ahead of headliner the Luyas, along with Joyful Talk, Black Givre & Sonya Stefan and Katie Ward. Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent), Thursday, Aug. 27, 8:45 p.m., $10
 

 

Technical Kidman, “Without Fear”

 
Check out this video by Montreal electro-rock trio Technical Kidman, for a track off their 2014 EP A Stranger Voice. The band will be opening a Passovah show featuring UN, Saxsyndrum, Bataille Solaire and happymovie. La Vitrola (4602 St-Laurent), Thursday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m., $10
 

 

Katie Moore, “Leaving”

 
Folk heroine Katie Moore is launching her new record, Fooled By the Fun (Club Roll Records), with opening act Ohara — see our interview with her here. Rialto Hall (5723 Parc, upstairs), Thursday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m., $15/$20
 

 

Moss Lime, “Ice Cream Sandwiches”

 
This minimalist post-punk trio, who’ll be heading out on a European tour following their Passovah show, released this video during the heatwave in late July. They’ll be the second act on stage at a Passovah show headlined by Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Jessica Moss, Lungbutter, Caro Diaro and Adam Kinner. Bar le Ritz (179 Jean-Talon W.), Friday, Aug. 28, 8 p.m., $12/$15
 

 

Monogrenade, “Le Fantôme”

 
This local francophone indie pop act will be performing the last show in the album cycle for their second record, Composite, so it’s your last opportunity to see them for a while. They’ll be playing alongside somewhat likeminded locals Receivers and Blood and Glass. Sample their vibe with this mesmerizing video, released back in May. Bar le Ritz PDB (179 Jean-Talon W.), Saturday, Aug. 29, 9 p.m., $10
 

Monogrenade – Le Fantôme from Antler Inc. on Vimeo.

 

Nancy Pants, “Happy”

 
No, not THAT “Happy,” this “Happy.” It’s a great introduction to this Montreal indie pop trio, who’ll be playing Passovah right behind headliner Miracle Fortress, with Kroy, Holy Data, Choses Sauvages and Archery Guild. Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent), Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m., $12/$15
 

 

Sunfields, “Ghost”

 
Catch the glow of this band’s golden pop/rock sound via this video for “Ghost,” released in the dead of winter 2015. Sunfields are wedged into the middle of a Passovah Fest bill featuring Mehdi Cayenne Club, Kurvi Tasch Neil Holyoak and Bud Rice. Brasserie Beaubien (73 Beaubien E.), Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m., $10
 

 

Tamara Sandor, “Summons”

 
Hazy-folk artist Tamara Sandor unveiled this track back in July. She’ll be opening a show with Skin Tone and la Société De Beaux-Arts De Montréal (aka Liam O’Neill + Adam Kinner). Resonance (5175A Parc), Saturday, Aug. 29, 9:30 p.m., PWYC
 

 

Jenny Berkel, “All That You Do”

 
Sample a track from Pale Moon Kid, the forthcoming album by this folk artist, performed in this video with Daniel Romano (the record’s producer) and the Trilliums. She’ll be playing Passovah following a set by Dern Kean and an Incredible Woman, and before headliners Wintersleep and Wake Island. Bar le Ritz PDB (179 Jean-Talon W.), Sunday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m., $15/$18
 

 

Hua Li, “Luxury”

 
The rapper, musician, DJ and record label co-founder also known as Peggy Hogan recently released an EP called Za Zhong, produced by Gloze. Sample a track and see her at Passovah alongside Joji, Jjanice and the Whateverly Brothers. La Vitrola (4602 St-Laurent), Sunday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m., $10
 

 

Pang Attack, “Beg the Local Shrines”

 
Pang Attack may be the Montreal indie pop hidden gem you’ve been waiting for. Would it surprise you to know that some of its band members moonlight in a Smiths cover band? See what they can do when they headline a Passovah show featuring Soft Cone, Daniel Isaiah and Birds of Paradise. Brasserie Beaubien (73 Beaubien E.), Sunday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m., $10
 

 
Passovah Summer Fest passes cost $50. See all the details here.