--°C|Wednesday, September 9, 2026
A guide to the neighbourhood institutions, unlikely spaces, and unexpected revivals at the heart of this year’s festival.
September 9, 2026
POP Montreal is the city’s annual penultimate non-profit cultural fall event that creates space for emerging independent artists to exhibit their talents. It’s also when Montreal’s music venues become its lifeblood, and this year is no exception.
Past iterations have seen the likes of Patti Smith, Grimes, Kaytranada, and just last year, the breakout experimental math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine. For those looking to discover new favourites, be they in-the-know acts with cult followings or on the cusp of skyrocketing to stardom, POP Montreal’s many home bases are as eclectic as its lineup.
Some spots, like Quai Des Brumes, have been pouring drinks and hosting bands since the ‘80s. Others, like Divan Orange, are resurrecting their stage for a few nights to take part. Enjoy the venue-hopping to experience chasing art-punk, afro-funk, flamenco, or a legendary country crooner, these are the rooms where it’ll all happen, and this is our guide to navigating them.
Fairmount Theatre is a Mile End venue that opened in 2015. Though its name and ownership have circulated throughout the years, the theatre remains a landmark in Montreal’s live music scene, welcoming artists and bands like Oasis, Robert Palmer, Fun., and Quebec rock icon Michel Pagliaro. As part of POP Montreal, La Sécurité is throwing a launch party on September 25 for their new art-punk/proto-pop album Bingo!. Also scheduled is a performance by the hybrid genre band Shunk.
The Montreal-based video game developer and studio is best known for popular series like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry, but it also has a terrasse worth noting. Originally meant for employees, it has become a site for community events and performances. Angine de Poitrine played there for POP Montreal 2025, just before their catapult to fame.
The Rialto Theatre is an ornate, neo-Baroque-style former movie palace-turned-venue that was bought and restored in 2010 by the couple Ezio Carosielli & Luisa Sassano. Now led by their daughter, Andria Carosielli, the theatre is a hub for local and international performing arts, as well as an event venue. Within the theatre, there are several halls, many of which are the site for POP Montreal performances: Clubhouse Rialto, Piccolo Rialto, Rialto Hall, Toit Rialto, and the main theatre will all host artists including Jamaican DJ and singer Sister Nancy, reggae powerhouse Jah Cutta, Bizarre Ball, Pigeon Phat, Nardwuar The Human Serviette, A Winged Victory For The Sullen, Infinity Song, Luna, and more.
This small Mile-Ex concert hall and bar curates a steady lineup of indie rock, electro pop, and alternative acts. It’s a laid-back venue with a bar, platform stage, and sound system that prioritizes the music. Two POP Montreal performances will happen here, with the Brisbane-based punk rock group Dune Rats taking the stage on September 23, and the Tokyo-based Japanese folk band Minyo Crusaders performing on September 27.
Casa del Popolo is one of the city’s most popular indie rock music venues. With an old-school feel fed by well-worn wooden floors and ornaments, the atmosphere lends itself to discovering new sounds. Since opening in 2000, its stage has welcomed bands like Arcade Fire, Buck 65, and more, and has regularly hosted non-musical community events. Casa del Popolo will host several POP Montreal performances, including the multi-disciplinary Mind Bath on September 23, performances from noise rap group Haha Laughing, Canadian rock band Living Hour, indie rock project Frown Line, and indie-folk-rock artist Sofia Wolfson on September 24, and two more lineups on September 25 and 26.
If you’re thinking Divan Orange closed years ago, you’re right and you’re not. Closed in 2018 due to noise complaints, Divan Orange is reopening for three nights only in its original space for POP Montreal. For two of those nights, Montreal improvisational group Plants and Animals will play, with special guest art-rock band Sasha Cay on September 24 and special guest Katie Moore on September 25. For the third night, contemporary psychedelic pop group Hush takes the stage, with special guest Superstar Crush.
The third-largest church in Montreal after the Notre-Dame Basilica and St. Joseph’s Oratory, St-Jean Baptiste is a Roman Catholic church that’s been on the Plateau since 1872. Its stunning Baroque revival interior sports large chandeliers, stained glass, and two organs.
Bar L’Escogriffe is a destination for alternative, rock, indie, punk, and more. The intimate space is set in a Saint-Denis sous-sol, serving cheap drinks that can be enjoyed while listening to a set or out on one of the bar’s two terrasses. Bar L’Escogriffe is hosting five nights of POP Montreal programming, with appearances by experimental noise rock duo Fresh Wax, synth pop duo Fleur de Peau, and folk, R&B, funk and indie pop sibling duo Hansom Eli.
Le Ministère is a performance hall and music venue in the Plateau that regularly hosts diverse weekly programming, including concerts, album launches, DJ sets, and corporate events. The venue’s classic, black-washed room will host a variety of performers, from September 23-26, including the Toulouse-hailing musician anaiis, Vancouver folk-country duo True Mountain Laurel, and Latin-Urban-Rap group Sonido Pesao on September 24.
O Patro Vys—that’s Czech for “On the Higher Level”—is a music venue and non-profit organization above Bílý Kun. It hosts concerts, performances, exhibitions, events, and more to support and promote a diverse group of local artists. This year during POP Montreal, O Patro Vys will provide space for performances by Puberty Well, an all-trans-girl underground/alt/art rock band; Papagroove, an afro-funk fusion band; and afro-rap artist Trinisha Brown on September 24, 25, and 26, respectively.
Once Martha Wainwright’s Ursa, P’tit Ours is a music venue and event space that operates in Mile End. Taken over by the team behind POP Montreal and Casa del Popolo in 2024, the space prioritizes small-scale performances by indie artists, alongside book launches, flamenco nights, and other events. On September 23, as part of POP Montreal, P’tit Ours will host LA-based indie alt-pop songwriter and singer Mini Trees, and will welcome singer Julie Doiron on September 25.
Quai Des Brumes is a live music hub on Saint-Denis that opened in the mid-'80s, but has been a bar since 1933, boasting a long nightlife legacy. Here, artists play for free and keep every dollar at the door. Stop by on September 23 for a performance from grunge-gaze project Cherry Pick, September 24 for a set by indie-pop artist SamWoy, September 25 for sounds from Camille Léon, and more.
Once home to a Jewish community centre and Spanish social club, La Sala Rossa’s spot on Saint-Laurent is now an independent music and cultural venue that’s a staple in Montreal’s arts scene. Located across the street from Casa del Popolo, La Sala Rossa has a 250-person capacity and runs diverse programming, from indie-rock to flamenco. Composer, singer, and producer Hana Stretton, co-leader of Wolf Parade Spencer Krug, and 3 more acts will play here throughout the 2026 edition of POP Montreal.
Théâtre Outremont has been a Montreal fixture for over 100 years, exhibiting the glamour and sensibility of the ‘20s. Initially built as a cinema showing silent and talking films, the theatre now offers a range of cultural and artistic programming, from musicals to comedy. On September 26th, extended electric guitar pioneer Fred Frith will play, as will Quebec jazz and chanson performer René Lussier, and Swedish-Canadian avant-garde vocalist Erika Angell.
Part of the Casa del Popolo family, this live music venue is an accessible spot that schedules everything from indie rock and punk to more experimental acts in addition to community events like art shows, fundraisers, and dance nights. A platform stage is the room’s main focus, from which performers can entertain audiences of up to 300 people. This year, on September 24, country music artist and producer Dale Watson & His Lone Stars will seize the spotlight.
Every place here was visited by someone on our team.
A guide to the neighbourhood institutions, unlikely spaces, and unexpected revivals at the heart of this year’s festival.
September 9, 2026
POP Montreal is the city’s annual penultimate non-profit cultural fall event that creates space for emerging independent artists to exhibit their talents. It’s also when Montreal’s music venues become its lifeblood, and this year is no exception.
Past iterations have seen the likes of Patti Smith, Grimes, Kaytranada, and just last year, the breakout experimental math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine. For those looking to discover new favourites, be they in-the-know acts with cult followings or on the cusp of skyrocketing to stardom, POP Montreal’s many home bases are as eclectic as its lineup.
Some spots, like Quai Des Brumes, have been pouring drinks and hosting bands since the ‘80s. Others, like Divan Orange, are resurrecting their stage for a few nights to take part. Enjoy the venue-hopping to experience chasing art-punk, afro-funk, flamenco, or a legendary country crooner, these are the rooms where it’ll all happen, and this is our guide to navigating them.
Fairmount Theatre is a Mile End venue that opened in 2015. Though its name and ownership have circulated throughout the years, the theatre remains a landmark in Montreal’s live music scene, welcoming artists and bands like Oasis, Robert Palmer, Fun., and Quebec rock icon Michel Pagliaro. As part of POP Montreal, La Sécurité is throwing a launch party on September 25 for their new art-punk/proto-pop album Bingo!. Also scheduled is a performance by the hybrid genre band Shunk.
The Montreal-based video game developer and studio is best known for popular series like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry, but it also has a terrasse worth noting. Originally meant for employees, it has become a site for community events and performances. Angine de Poitrine played there for POP Montreal 2025, just before their catapult to fame.
The Rialto Theatre is an ornate, neo-Baroque-style former movie palace-turned-venue that was bought and restored in 2010 by the couple Ezio Carosielli & Luisa Sassano. Now led by their daughter, Andria Carosielli, the theatre is a hub for local and international performing arts, as well as an event venue. Within the theatre, there are several halls, many of which are the site for POP Montreal performances: Clubhouse Rialto, Piccolo Rialto, Rialto Hall, Toit Rialto, and the main theatre will all host artists including Jamaican DJ and singer Sister Nancy, reggae powerhouse Jah Cutta, Bizarre Ball, Pigeon Phat, Nardwuar The Human Serviette, A Winged Victory For The Sullen, Infinity Song, Luna, and more.
This small Mile-Ex concert hall and bar curates a steady lineup of indie rock, electro pop, and alternative acts. It’s a laid-back venue with a bar, platform stage, and sound system that prioritizes the music. Two POP Montreal performances will happen here, with the Brisbane-based punk rock group Dune Rats taking the stage on September 23, and the Tokyo-based Japanese folk band Minyo Crusaders performing on September 27.
Casa del Popolo is one of the city’s most popular indie rock music venues. With an old-school feel fed by well-worn wooden floors and ornaments, the atmosphere lends itself to discovering new sounds. Since opening in 2000, its stage has welcomed bands like Arcade Fire, Buck 65, and more, and has regularly hosted non-musical community events. Casa del Popolo will host several POP Montreal performances, including the multi-disciplinary Mind Bath on September 23, performances from noise rap group Haha Laughing, Canadian rock band Living Hour, indie rock project Frown Line, and indie-folk-rock artist Sofia Wolfson on September 24, and two more lineups on September 25 and 26.
If you’re thinking Divan Orange closed years ago, you’re right and you’re not. Closed in 2018 due to noise complaints, Divan Orange is reopening for three nights only in its original space for POP Montreal. For two of those nights, Montreal improvisational group Plants and Animals will play, with special guest art-rock band Sasha Cay on September 24 and special guest Katie Moore on September 25. For the third night, contemporary psychedelic pop group Hush takes the stage, with special guest Superstar Crush.
The third-largest church in Montreal after the Notre-Dame Basilica and St. Joseph’s Oratory, St-Jean Baptiste is a Roman Catholic church that’s been on the Plateau since 1872. Its stunning Baroque revival interior sports large chandeliers, stained glass, and two organs.
Bar L’Escogriffe is a destination for alternative, rock, indie, punk, and more. The intimate space is set in a Saint-Denis sous-sol, serving cheap drinks that can be enjoyed while listening to a set or out on one of the bar’s two terrasses. Bar L’Escogriffe is hosting five nights of POP Montreal programming, with appearances by experimental noise rock duo Fresh Wax, synth pop duo Fleur de Peau, and folk, R&B, funk and indie pop sibling duo Hansom Eli.
Le Ministère is a performance hall and music venue in the Plateau that regularly hosts diverse weekly programming, including concerts, album launches, DJ sets, and corporate events. The venue’s classic, black-washed room will host a variety of performers, from September 23-26, including the Toulouse-hailing musician anaiis, Vancouver folk-country duo True Mountain Laurel, and Latin-Urban-Rap group Sonido Pesao on September 24.
O Patro Vys—that’s Czech for “On the Higher Level”—is a music venue and non-profit organization above Bílý Kun. It hosts concerts, performances, exhibitions, events, and more to support and promote a diverse group of local artists. This year during POP Montreal, O Patro Vys will provide space for performances by Puberty Well, an all-trans-girl underground/alt/art rock band; Papagroove, an afro-funk fusion band; and afro-rap artist Trinisha Brown on September 24, 25, and 26, respectively.
Once Martha Wainwright’s Ursa, P’tit Ours is a music venue and event space that operates in Mile End. Taken over by the team behind POP Montreal and Casa del Popolo in 2024, the space prioritizes small-scale performances by indie artists, alongside book launches, flamenco nights, and other events. On September 23, as part of POP Montreal, P’tit Ours will host LA-based indie alt-pop songwriter and singer Mini Trees, and will welcome singer Julie Doiron on September 25.
Quai Des Brumes is a live music hub on Saint-Denis that opened in the mid-'80s, but has been a bar since 1933, boasting a long nightlife legacy. Here, artists play for free and keep every dollar at the door. Stop by on September 23 for a performance from grunge-gaze project Cherry Pick, September 24 for a set by indie-pop artist SamWoy, September 25 for sounds from Camille Léon, and more.
Once home to a Jewish community centre and Spanish social club, La Sala Rossa’s spot on Saint-Laurent is now an independent music and cultural venue that’s a staple in Montreal’s arts scene. Located across the street from Casa del Popolo, La Sala Rossa has a 250-person capacity and runs diverse programming, from indie-rock to flamenco. Composer, singer, and producer Hana Stretton, co-leader of Wolf Parade Spencer Krug, and 3 more acts will play here throughout the 2026 edition of POP Montreal.
Théâtre Outremont has been a Montreal fixture for over 100 years, exhibiting the glamour and sensibility of the ‘20s. Initially built as a cinema showing silent and talking films, the theatre now offers a range of cultural and artistic programming, from musicals to comedy. On September 26th, extended electric guitar pioneer Fred Frith will play, as will Quebec jazz and chanson performer René Lussier, and Swedish-Canadian avant-garde vocalist Erika Angell.
Part of the Casa del Popolo family, this live music venue is an accessible spot that schedules everything from indie rock and punk to more experimental acts in addition to community events like art shows, fundraisers, and dance nights. A platform stage is the room’s main focus, from which performers can entertain audiences of up to 300 people. This year, on September 24, country music artist and producer Dale Watson & His Lone Stars will seize the spotlight.
Every place here was visited by someone on our team.
