M for Montréal — M pour Montréal in French — is an annual conference and music festival which takes place over the course of four days in late November in Canada’s second largest city. Since the inaugural conference back in 2005, M for Montréal has expanded to feature a selection of over 100 emerging, buzz-worthy and/or breakout acts from across Québec, the rest of Canada and a handful of internationally-based acts playing on stages in some of Montréal’s top venues and clubs.
The annual conference also welcomes over 300 music industry professionals to Montréal for professional programming and networking tailored specifically for folks in the industry.
The festival’s 19th edition will take place November 20, 2024 – November 23, 2024. You’ll be hearing more on this space, as the festival’s organizers will make several announcements over the next handful of months. But in the meantime, the festival’s organizers announced the lineup for the fourth annual M for MARATHON festival portion of the event. In its relatively short history, M for MARATHON has firmly established itself as the not-to-be-missed fall event for the best of the Canadian independent scene.
Taking place during M for Montréal’s run, 30 shows will take place in over 20 venues across Montréal, featuring some of the most promising, rising and/or emerging acts on the Québec/Montréal scenes, the Canadian scene and the international scene. M for MARATHON’s lineup will include these 20 first wave acts: Bibi Club, Karkwa, Peter Peter, P’tit Belliveau, Belle Grand Fille, Claudia Bouvette, Cléa Vincent, Elliot Maginot, En Stéréo, Fleece, Junes, KROY, Laurence-Anne, Malaimé Soleil, myst milano, JOVM mainstay Naomi, Shay Lia, Soleil Launière, Vox Rea and Ziak.
Out of this group five are part of M for Montréal’s Official Selection Artists cohort, which will feature 28 Quebecois and Canadian artists. Those five are Claudia Bouvette, KROY, myst milano, Naomi and Vox Rea. The full lineup of Official Selection Artists will be announced in September.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20
M for MARATHON’s first night takes part at Les Foufounes Électriques with KROY, Fleece, Vox Rea and Soleil Launière, the recent winner of 2024’s Francouvertes. This will be followed by a DJ set from French electro pop singer Cléa Vincent at one of my favorite rooms in town, Quai des Brumes.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21
French rapper Ziak will play at the 2,300 capacity MTELUS. Additionally, indie pop duo Bibi Club, who recently released their sophomore album Feu de Garde will be playing Théâtre Fairmount. New Montréal outfit En Stéréo will open the night.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Friday night will see Club Soda hosting three pop and R&B acts, including Claudia Bouvette, whose latest single “Call Me Back!” has garnered quite a bit of attention; JOVM mainstay Naomi and myst milano, who specializes in 90s hip-hop and house-influenced electro pop.
MTELUS will host country pop artist P’tit Beliveau and opener, indie rock outfit Malaimé Soleil.
Pop artist Junes and R&B artist Shay Lia, who has collaborated with Kaytranada will play the Ausgang Plaza stage.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Closing out M for MARATHON at Club Sosa, electro pop artist Peter Peter will reportedly play material off his recent album Éther. Haunting electro pop artist Laurence-Anne will open.
Karkwa will finish his Dans la seconde tour with a headlining set at MTELLUS, which will feature guests who will be announced later.
Elliot Maginot and Belle Grande Fille, who were M for Montréal Official Selection artists will play at Beanfield Theatre.
FESTIVAL PASS – ALL MARATHON SHOWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
As you’ll see, I’ve included ticket links for each day. But check this y’all: The Festival Pass gives you access to almost all of the MARATHON shows. We’re talking about cars to over 30 shows with a single pass. And the early bird rate is $100 CAD. (The Karkwa and P’tit Belliveau shows aren’t included in the pass.)
More information is coming in the next few weeks and months.
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