Paul Beaubrun is the bridge between Haiti and Montreal you should be listening to

Night after night, in packed arenas or intimate venues, Paul Beaubrun brings the same authenticity and spirit to the stage. He’s no stranger to massive crowds, twenty thousand voices echoing back his energy, drawn in by his magnetic performances. Whether onstage with Arcade Fire, in intimate solo sets, or jamming with fellow Haitian musicians, he carries his homeland with him, each note rooted in memory, each lyric shaped by a deep connection to Haiti’s culture and soul.

Paul represents not only the vitality of Haitian music but also a bridge between generations and cultures, uniting listeners with the heartbeat of a country that continues to influence the global stage.

Carrying Haiti through sound and spirit

Paul Beaubrun comes from music. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he is the son of Lòlò and Mimerose Beaubrun, founding members of the iconic Haitian band Boukman Eksperyans.

But for Paul, music isn’t just inheritance, it’s language, memory, and a calling. Over the years, he has carved his own path while honouring the rhythms of his roots. But a serendipitous encounter in Montreal would shift the course of his journey.

In 2015, Paul was invited to perform at a benefit concert, where he crossed paths with Win Butler of Arcade Fire through a mutual friend.

“There was something there,” Paul recalls. “The energy, the love, it made sense.”

Arcade Fire’s connection to Haiti runs deep from their early song “Haiti” on the 2004 album Funeral to the subtle ways Caribbean rhythms and political undercurrents pulse through their sound. For Paul, joining the band wasn’t just a career milestone—it was a spiritual continuity.

“They’ve always had this connection to Haiti. Régine is Haitian,” he says. “You also hear it in the music, in lyrics like ‘mountains beyond mountains.’ It’s real. So, when I joined, it wasn’t about bringing something new, I was helping something that was already alive grow.”

That connection grew into something more tangible. Each year, Arcade Fire invited Paul to perform at their Krewe du Karnaval celebration in New Orleans, a joyful, sonic protest organized in partnership with KANPE, a non-profit focused on sustainable development in Haiti’s Central Plateau. Paul became a regular collaborator and a key voice in these cultural celebrations.

That energy extended beyond performance. Through Montreal ventures like the restaurant Agrikol and cultural space Ti-Agrikol, and through their consistent support of KANPE, Arcade Fire invested in Haiti’s cultural life, and Paul has been part of it.

What began as a musical collaboration evolved into a deep friendship and shared mission.

Responsibility in representation

Paul’s bond with Haiti is unwavering. It is not just his birthplace, it is the rhythm of his heart, the pulse that drives his creativity.

“No matter how you turn it, Haiti is always a focal point,” he says. “We are so powerful. People can’t stop talking about us. So, I want to represent the part I know: the beauty, the creativity. I want to represent the place where I grew up.”

That sense of representation isn’t confined to geography. For Paul, Haiti travels with him, living in his lyrics, his stage presence, and his collaborations.

And in Montreal, he found another home, one where that cultural expression could be nurtured and celebrated. “Montreal has always felt like home to me,” Paul shares. “There’s so much love there, so much energy. And getting to play with Arcade Fire, one of my favourite bands, just made it all click.”

Montreal—with its deeply embedded Haitian community, rich musical life, and openness to experimentation—became a bridge where Paul could both preserve and expand his heritage.

Mastery through humility

Paul’s first album with Arcade Fire, We, was a revelation. Watching how each member worked, the intentionality behind every choice, was inspiring for the artist.

“I’ve never seen a band where every single person is a master at what they do,” he says. “It’s in the details. They find the vibe, then hone in. It’s a beautiful process.”

When told that he too is a master of his craft, Paul laughs and shakes his head: “I’m a student. That’s how I see it. I’m learning every day. There’s so much in me still to explore.”

This curiosity is at the core of who he is, someone who lets music be a natural expression of self, without ego, without pretence. With their latest album Pink Elephant, Paul’s collaboration has only deepened, as he continues to be influenced by the ever-evolving sound of the band.

Memories on and off festival stages

Touring with Arcade Fire has opened new worlds for Paul, from the staggering scale of sold-out arenas to the energy of global festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza. Yet, he finds his most cherished moments in more intimate settings.

“There’s something powerful about twenty thousand people dancing at the same time” he says. “But I still love the small crowds, the intimacy, the real connection. Both are beautiful in different ways.”

His favourite memory with the band? A show in São Paulo.

“Haitians love Brazil,” he says. “The music, the culture, the soccer, it’s joy. I ended the show on my knees, crying, thanking Brazil for all it’s given me.”

Closer to his borrowed home, Paul treasures stillness. He recalls a summer day spent alone by the water in Parc Lafontaine: “I was just sitting, meditating. Everything felt right. It was one of the most peaceful moments in this beautiful city.”

An artist in full bloom

Paul’s presence continues to grow in Montreal, a city he calls home in both spirit and rhythm. On April 29 and 30, 2025, he returned to his favourite venue, Théâtre Olympia, for two performances with Arcade Fire. This summer, he’s set to make his highly anticipated debut at Jazz Fest.

“I feel honoured. It’s such a great timing for everything I want to express musically. It is going to be a very special show; I know the Haitian and Quebecois communities always show up and support me, they love what I represent and I can’t wait to have a fun, spiritual, and intimate show with them.”

Whether solo, with fellow Haitian musicians in Michael Brun’s BAYO, or on the big stage with Arcade Fire, Montreal remains sacred ground.

“I am always so excited to perform in Montreal. The crowd, the energy, it’s always the best.”

As for what people say in turn after seeing Paul perform?

“They tell me it makes them feel free. Like they have permission to be emotional, to be joyful, to be fully themselves,” the musician recalls.

And really, that’s the gift Paul Beaubrun gives every time he steps onstage: a reminder that music can be a home, a healing, and a celebration all at once.