POP Montreal 2024 | Opera, Indie Icons, and the Night’s Unexpected Twists
POP Montreal 2024: Embracing Fleeting Beauty and the Power of the Intangible in a Night of Opera, Indie Legends, and Surprising Turns
A Night at the Opera: The Barber of Seville Launch Party
Full disclosure, I showed up a little late for this one… My night’s first shift ended at the Opera with The Barber of Seville crew celebrating the launch of their early fall run. It’s a great show and far more traditional than the posters have you believing.
It’s among one of the most widespread and recognized operas in the western canon, and this rendition presented by metteur en scène Joan Font does not disappoint. It was a dope night with phenomenal people, but the revelries were cut short. I had a promise to keep, a commitment to uphold, and a responsibility to honor. POP Montreal was not going to cover itself…
POP Montreal 2024: Ephemeral Beauty and the Intangible
Despite whatever you’ve been told or what you may have heard, this year’s theme over at POP Montreal was: ‘Ephemeral Beauty’ and ‘The Importance of the Intangible.’ In my opinion, that’s sort of the spirit of the epoch, and in a sense, it definitely provided what we were expecting.
Stars and Dears: Montreal’s Indie Icons Take the Stage
Between Dears & Stars. Welcome back to Cone City, “the Deers.” Stars were not shining tonight…
Stars is a Montreal outfit that formed in 2000. Since then, they’ve released 9 studio albums and several EPs. It was 2005’s Set Yourself on Fire that really put them on the map. I met them a few years back around 2015 when they performed at Osheaga as a last-minute replacement. They’re nice guys, and I wish them the best of luck. I unfortunately missed most of the set, but a friend summarized it thusly: “The Stars were not shining tonight.” Despite that, POP Montreal continued to shine with its diverse lineup.
Fireball Kid: The Ultimate Fun Party Dudes Return
Outside the beautiful Theatre Rialto, I ran into culture icon and backstage aficionado Mickey Fish (his identity here protected until he co-signs this article). Mickey told us all about Fireball Kid, the Ultimate Fun Party Dudes who were playing over at L’Esco Griffe. They’re the kind of fun, respectable good-times pop we’re all dying for under the current climate. In 2022, a fire department had to shut Fireball down, along with the entire block during their packed-to-the-brims show over at the Diving Bell. Despite the challenges, POP Montreal continues to attract lively acts like Fireball Kid that keep the festival exciting.
Rialto Theatre: A Haunting Atmosphere and Melancholy Melodies
Upon entry into Rialto’s prepossessing architecture, people were immediately divided up like an assembly-line triage. Do we go upstairs or downstairs? The haunting yet beautiful atmosphere at Rialto Theatre fits perfectly with the artistic vision of POP Montreal.
A Tale of Two Floors: Upstairs vs. Downstairs at the Rialto
Downstairs welcomed us with cute melodies in Rialto’s now crestfallen basement. It felt like a sad indie movie soundtrack—grungy, melancholic, and far from the energetic scene I remember from my youth. Upstairs, things weren’t much better, but the pulse of POP Montreal kept the night alive.
The Scene Outside: Arrest and Class Commentary on the Streets of Montreal
On our way back to the old port loft we call HQ, there was an impressive scene. Flashing lights, dozens of cop cars, and Montreal’s “finest” were arresting a well-dressed, calm, young woman. A bystander shouted, “Oh my God, they got the blonde chick!” It was a strange mix of class retribution and shock, a reminder that the world outside the festival is just as unpredictable as POP Montreal itself.
A Night to Remember: POP Montreal 2024’s Ephemeral Yet Impactful Moments
Like everything else this year, as easily as she’d come, she was gone—beautiful, ephemeral, and fully disposable. POP Montreal continues to capture that fleeting beauty, creating lasting memories despite its transient nature.
Reflections on Montreal’s Indie Music Scene: Nostalgia vs. Now
Somewhere along the way, Montreal’s indie music scene has shifted, evolving into something less rage-filled and more subdued. Maybe I’m just too old for this emo scene, even when it’s artsy. Still, POP Montreal brings an undeniable energy, even in its quieter moments.
After Hours: The Real Party Begins with Boom Bap and 90s Hits
But despite the shift in mood, we ended the night on a high. Laughing and dancing to boom bap and 90s hits, it was a much-needed reminder that while the ephemeral may be in style, the classics will always live on. And POP Montreal proves that both the transient and the timeless have their place in this iconic festival.
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