The 2026 edition of M for Montreal (Novemver 19-22) is also the festival’s 20th anniversary. They’ve just announced the full schedule and daily lineups, and this year is working a little different than previous editions as there are more shows on the more industry-oriented first two days of the festival than usual, with Official Selection showcases alongside shows curated by labels, publications and more. On Friday and Saturday, M expands into a proper multi-venue festival with international acts alongside emerging artists from all over Canada. Check out the full schedule here.
BrooklynVegan is co-presenting the Opening Night Official Selection showcase on Wednesday, November 19 at Foufounes Électriqu with an all Canadian, mostly Montreal, lineup:
- Annie-Claude Deschênes is a veteran of Montreal’s independent scene, best known for wreaking havoc as singer and mischief-maker for Duchess Says, who played our 2013 M showcase. Last year, she struck out on her own with LES MANIÈRES DE TABLE, her debut solo album that fuses her punk intensity with techno, new wave and darkwave textures, released via Italians Do It Better.
- Montreal hardcore band Truck Violence formed in the wake of the pandemic and have been tearing up the city’s DIY circuit ever since. Their blistering debut album, Violence, arrived last year via hometown label Mothland, that managed to bottle their ferocious energy. The band were also one of the undeniable highlights of M for Montreal 2024.
- Vancouver noise punks PISS have only dropped a three-song demo so far, but they’ve already built a reputation for their explosive live shows, powered by the wild charisma of lead screamer Taylor Zantingh. They’ve shared stages with Bratmobile, Lambrini Girls, Fcukers, Omni, and more, and with a debut album due next year, PISS are poised to make a serious racket beyond the Pacific Northwest.
- Ribbon Skirt are the Montreal duo of Tashiina Buswa and Billy Riley, who craft ‘90s-inspired indie rock that swings between soaring and sludgy, tender and tense. Their terrific debut album, Bite Down—mixed by Deerhoof’s Greg Saunier and mastered by Total Control’s Mikey Young—was released this spring on Mint Records and made the shortlist for the 2025 Polaris Music Prize.
You can listen to music from all the bands playing BrooklynVegan’s M for Montreal showcase below.
M for Montreal has put together a terrific lineup this year overall, and it includes Digable Planets, BADBADNOTGOOD, Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys, Kiwi Jr, hometown heroes Choses Sauvages and The Besnard Lakes, Colin Stetson, Hollerado, Karneef, Rachel Bobbitt, Afternoon Bike Ride, Yoo Doo Right, Rowjay, and more.
Festival passes ($75 Canadian) are on sale now.
LES MANIÈRES DE TABLE by Annie-Claude Deschênes
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