KickDrum’s Summer Marathon is on

Mon Doux Saigneur

“Montreal already has a million summer music festivals. Why would you add another?” jokes KickDrum founder Josh Spencer.

When asked about KickDrum’s Summer Marathon, running from July 12 to July 17, Spencer is quick to bring up the differences between Summer Marathon and some of the other large music festivals in Montreal. Summer Marathon is in some ways everything that Jazzfest, Osheaga and Piknic Électronik are not. For instance, although his festival has over 50 headliners, all of them are local and independent artists. The tickets are affordable, as well. No single concert costs more than $11, with taxes and fees included.

The festival’s mandate also addresses social and political issues including gender disparity, charity and environmental consciousness: 40 per cent of the line-up is female-fronted; a dollar from each ticket sale will be donated to USC Canada’s Seeds of Survival program towards sustainable agriculture; and the final day of the festival will include a screening of The Cross of the Moment, a climate documentary, followed by a discussion.

There are over 50 artists performing 16 shows being held at seven venues over the course of the festival. Here are a few to check out.

Paper Beat Scissors, Ego Death, Wishkaah at Bar le Ritz PDB (179 Jean-Talon W.) on Tuesday, July 12, 8:30 p.m.

Self-described as “hobo electro,” Paper Beat Scissors promises to debut two songs off their upcoming album at this show. Quebec City folk act Ego Death and Wishkaah (CTZNSHP’s Jesse LeGallais), will also be performing.

Mon Doux Saigneur, Helena Deland, Samuele, Claude l’Anthrope at Bar le Ritz PDB on Wednesday, July 13, 8:30 p.m.

This franco-folk line-up includes Helena Deland, who will be performing with a full band.

Raveen, the LYONZ, Static Gold, Heaventide at la Vitrola (4602 St-Laurent) on Thursday, July 14, 8:30 p.m.

Raveen describe their sound as “Dark, yet earnest pop-electronic music with some serious R&B undertones.” Hip hop group the LYONZ are fresh off their performance at Jazz Fest.

See the complete Summer Marathon schedule on their Facebook event page here.