Five local acts you can’t miss at Santa Teresa

The second annual festival takes over the town of Sainte-Thérèse this weekend.

Santa Teresa kicks off its second edition today. Located in the quaint town of Sainte-Thérèse, the festival offers fans a plethora of talent at a number of rather unconventional venues. In its sophomore year, the long weekend extravaganza has significantly stepped up its line-up. With the likes of FeIst, Nick Murphy (formerly Chet Faker), and Lil Uzi Vert headlining, Santa has put itself in a position to pose serious competition to many established Montreal festivals of its kind.

Perhaps one of the most impressive factors of Santa Teresa 2018 is its strength in regional talent. From Rap-Québécois royalty to indie heartthrobs, the line-up has clearly been carefully curated to include many of the province’s finest.

Here are a few local acts attendees should particularly take note of this weekend:

Ragers

March 2017 Cult MTL coverboys Ragers are one of the few returning acts from last year’s line-up. Member Billy Eff has also been tapped to curate all of the afterparties. The genre-bending foursome have a sound that can appropriately find its way into many different facets, which is why they are perfect to play all three nights. “Winding down” your evening with this band would be an oxymoron, their energy serving as a true testament to their name.

HB Bar, Friday, May 18 to Sunday, May 20, varying set times

Ryan Playground

Ryan Playground is a staple of Montreal’s club scene. When she’s not on the turntables, Playground doubles as a talented vocalist and producer. She is set to release her debut album via Last Gang/Secret Songs later this year, as confirmed to us by manager Zach Macklovitch in an interview last October. If the already-released singles are any indication, fans are in for a real treat from this true triple threat. After the show is the afterparty, and you can count on Playground to set the mood right when she closes out the festival’s Saturday soiree with a special back-to-back set alongside Robert Robert.

HB Bar, Saturday, May 19, 12 a.m.

Heartstreets

On a day with far too much male energy, Heartstreets brings some serious girl power. The duo have been fairly selective with recent tour dates, all of their local shows either being headlining gigs at esteemed venues or placements at buzzworthy festivals like Osheaga and Montréal en Lumiere. Emma and Gabrielle continue to play it smart with this show. Recent singles “Lead Us” and the Kaytranada-assisted “Blind” display strong hip hop crossover, worthy enough to kick off a stage filled with some of the genre’s most talked about artists of the moment.

Outdoor Stage, Sunday, May 20, 1:30 p.m.

Dead Obies

This one may seem obvious given the group’s domination of the Quebec concert scene over the past five years. However, this week’s announcement that Yes Mccan is leaving in lieu of a solo career offers even more of a reason for interest to be sparked. Chemistry has always been an essential ingredient for the Obies’ success. Will the South Shore spitters be able to maintain their hot streak without one of their most lively members? Sunday’s performance is sure to serve as an important puzzle piece in the band’s history.

Outdoor Stage, Sunday, May 20 , 4:15 p.m.

Klô Pelgag

Church shows are at once awkward and amazing. Are you allowed to swear? Should “amen”s be uttered after every song? These are just some of the many questions that run through one’s mind when attending a secular activity at a religious establishment. Hailing from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Klô Pelgag brings her heavenly voice to offer a closing sermon for what will presumably be a weekend full of sinning. Repent for seeing alleged devil worshipper Lil Uzi Vert as the singer blesses us with her hazy tunes.

Église Sainte-Thérèse-d’Avila, Sunday, May 20, 11 p.m.

See the complete Santa Teresa festival line-up and details here. Note that shuttle service from Montreal is available.