IGNITE YOUR SPRING FEVER WITH MONTREAL’S TOP 10 EVENTS IN APRIL!
April in Montreal is shaping up to be an electrifying month for music lovers and party people. Whether you’re in the mood for dancefloor euphoria, dreamy indie pop, teenage punk or dark poetic rock, this month’s lineup has something for every music lover. Spring is starting with a bang! Here’s my guide to the top 10 events that you can’t afford to miss…
1. CARAVAN PALACE – ELECTRO SWING FRENZY
April 8
Théâtre Olympia, 1004 St Catherine St E, Montreal, QC H2L 2G2
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The Parisian electro-swing maestros CARAVAN PALACE are bringing their infectious, jazz-infused beats to our fair city. Expect a night of dazzling electronic grooves and vintage aesthetics that will transport you straight into a 1920’s speakeasy in outer space! Their concerts feature a full band that is tighter than a dick skin jacket! I’m a huge fan and often spin their music in my DJ sets. They are incredibly entertaining so swing on down to L’Olympia!
2. DNB COLLIDER – A DRUM & BASS EXPLOSION
April 11
Foufounes Électriques, 87 Rue Ste-Catherine E, Montreal, QC H2X 1K5
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For those who crave breakneck Amen Breaks, the monthly event DnB Collider always delivers. For the April edition in collaboration with The Session they booked TRACE C who is one of Ottawa’s best drum n bass DJ’s. She is part of the Camo Sessions crew that has been creating a serious buzz in the past year or two. The event features Bassix crew members SNOWPHISH doing a B2B with LOCKOUT, KUANTUM B2B LISSN, founder of The Session CRIMEWAVE and resident DJ STALKR. This stacked lineup of drum & bass DJ’s is set to shake the walls of Foufs!
3. MIGHTYKAT LEADS A STELLAR LINEUP TO IGNITE CLUB SAT
PIN IT
April 11
Société des Arts Technologiques (SAT), 1201 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2X 2S6
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Montreal’s own MIGHTYKAT takes over Club SAT series for a night of electrifying grooves. A globally recognized DJ, she’s known for her eclectic, bouncy fusion of House & Techno. She’s been one of my favorite Montreal selectors for two decades! Joining her are two Lebanese artists now based in Montreal: DUCHESSE —a DJ, ballet dancer, and producer—and LIO, co-founder of the Hypnotik LTD record label. Rounding out the lineup is MOK-T from Lyon, France known for his signature blend of House, Minimal Breaks and Dub. Espace SAT has installed a new lighting system to enhance the sensory experience. With this stacked lineup and a fresh lighting setup, this is one night you won’t want to miss!
4. FRANZ FERDINAND – INDIE ROCK ROYALTY
PIN IT
April 14
MTELUS, 59 St Catherine St E, Montreal, QC H2X 1K5
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Scottish rockers FRANZ FERDINAND are bringing their signature post-punk energy and massive anthems like “Take Me Out” to MTelus. This promises to be a high-voltage night of feel-good, dance-able indie rock, packed with sharp guitar riffs, infectious hooks, and the kind of swagger that made them one of the defining bands of the 2000s. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering their magic for the first time, this is a show that guarantees nonstop energy and indie rock euphoria!
5. GRIMSKUNK – MONTREAL PUNK LEGENDS
April 17
MTELUS, 59 St Catherine St E, Montreal, QC H2X 1K5
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Heavy Montreal presents Montreal’s most iconic alternative hardcore punk band GrimSkunk ! They return to Mtelus for a night of politically charged punk & metal fused with prog rock and reggae influences. I have enormous respect for them as a band and also for founding Indica Records, a label that has elevated countless local artists.
Their live shows are legendary, packed with raw energy and surprise guest vocalists like Uncle Costa (Blood Sausage) and Shantal Arroya (Overbass), who never fail to bring the house down. Having first seen them in the early ‘90s, I was blown away by their genre-bending musicianship and stage presence—and that magic still holds strong today!
6. DARK ROOM 002 : MACABRE CABARET
April 18
Secret Location (TBA)
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For fans of raw, underground electronic music, Dark Room promises an immersive experience into a Macabre Cabaret powered by Deep Bass Music. Expect an intimate setting and a lineup of boundary-pushing DJs like DABMAN, DETOOR, KENTSUJI, KRAD, MARTINI, LISSN, PLEURIRE, PROPAGANJA and SIRÖS. Their last event in November created a serious buzz. Here is your chance to explore the darker side of the scene…
7. HIGH SCORE SATURDAYS : LEVEL UP YOUR 420
April 19
Club 2061, 2061 Saint-Denis St, Montreal, QC H2X 3K6
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Kick off the 420 festivities early with a night of bass-driven beats at Club 2061, the brand-new hotspot founded by Redd Dredd, a seasoned veteran of Montreal’s DJ scene! High Score Saturdays is a monthly event curated with love by myself (GUAPO) and SABI NON-STOP. Each month, we handpick an eclectic lineup of guest DJ’s to bring funk, joy, and—most importantly—bad ass BASS.
For our special 420 edition, we’re thrilled to welcome : GROOVY U.F.O. (Bass House), PRANA PAPA (Ethno Tribal House) and FLOWHER (Liquid DnB). SABI NON-STOP will deliver a special 420 set of his signature eclectic grooves, while as GUAPO, I’ll mix UK Garage and spliffed-out Reggae Dancehall Jungle vibes!
Get blissed at a night of deep bass grooves and pure sonic euphoria ! If your 4/20 celebrations leave you craving something delicious, FOOD DOOD has you covered! They’ll be on-site, serving up a special menu packed with mouthwatering vegan delights—plus an optional protein for those who want it. Expect quick, handheld bites that are flavorful, satisfying, and easy on the wallet. Get ready to feast!
Take a break from dancing to play the four arcade machines loaded up with thirty free retro games! PUFF, PASS & PLAY ! Come beat your HIGH SCORE !
8. LAUREL – DREAMY INDIE POP
April 23
PDB Le Ritz, 179 Jean-Talon O, Montreal, QC H2R 2X2
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British singer-songwriter LAUREL fuses dreamy synth-pop with raw, emotive lyricism, exuding a retro elegance with an alluring edge—like a British hybrid of Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish. Over the years, her unique ethereal voice has evolved to include a bluesy touch, with live guitar adding a new depth to her performances. A perfect example of her alluring erotic edge is her latest single “Fucking You To Death“.
Her music, often featured in film and TV for those gut-wrenching, life-altering moments, has led countless listeners to frantically Shazam her songs before the credits roll. That’s how I first discovered her music late one night! This intimate concert is a must-see for those who like to linger in melancholy moments, haunted by their heartbreaks…
9. THE LINDA LINDAS – RIOT GRRRL ENERGY
April 24
Théâtre Fairmount, 5240 Park Ave, Montreal, QC H2V 4G7
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Rising teenage punk stars THE LINDA LINDAS are bringing their infectious energy and feminist punk anthems to Montreal. If you love bands like Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney, don’t miss this show. Their breakout moment came with a viral performance of “Racist, Sexist Boy” at the Los Angeles Public Library. Which in led to a record deal with the iconic punk label Epitaph Records.
I saw them live at the Rialto during Pop Montreal 2022 when they were just 14 years old and they absolutely killed it! It was an all-ages show full of kids that reminded me of when I was a teenager seeing Fugazi at this same venue in 1991 ! Bring your kids, they will have a blast and might even get inspired to form a band of their own!
10. NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS – A DARK ROCK SPECTACLE
April 24
Place Bell, 1950 Rue Claude-Gagné, Laval, QC H7N 5H9
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Few artists can deliver a live experience as haunting and transcendent as Nick Cave. With The Bad Seeds in tow, expect a set list filled with poetic ballads, apocalyptic rock, and the kind of emotional depth that lingers long after the show ends. I’ve had the privilege of covering them several times for Best Kept Mtl, and after seeing them live at least five times, I can confidently say they never disappoint. Their performances are a rare blend of raw intensity and profound artistry that leave you captivated long after the final note.
Get your tickets while they last!
Bonus Events :
On April 12 there is an Acid Techno collab between two underground crews :
TEKNO AGRIKOL meets TEKON ACID CREW @ Bar La Shop.
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On April 13, catch 1990’s Post Rock Instrumental Scottish band
MOGWAI @ Theatre Beanfield
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Click here to find out how Montreal’s rock scene is thriving with The Damn Truth and their explosive new album produced by the legendary Bob Rock!
