News/Announcements: Taverne Tour Announces 2026 First Wave Lineup

Mothland, the Montréal-based label and booking agency recently announced that the 10th edition of its Taverne Tour will take place in Montréal’s Plateau Mont Royal neighborhood between February 12, 2026 – February 14, 2026. And to celebrate in style, the Mothland crew have prepared an eclectic festival lineup ranging from avant-garde pop to post-modern punk, featuring a host of innovative artists, whose work touch on rock, electronic music, rap, neo-soul, folk and experimental music.

Mothland also announced the first wave lineup for Taverne Tour X, which like its previous editions focuses on unbridled audacity and diversity, while also promoting discovery.

Le Belmont: 4483 Boulevard St. Laurent

Thursday, February 12, 2026: The festival’s tenth edition will feature a collection of renowned artists, including a headlining set at Le Belmont from Detroit‘s Protomartyr, who will be playing a set focused on the band’s breakthrough third album The Agent Intellect, which also celebrates its tenth anniversary. The festival’s first night at Le Belmont will be rounded out by Montréal krautrock outfit Yoo Doo Right, Toronto garage punks Hot Garbage and Alix Fernz, who will be playing a set featuring material from this year’s Symphonie publicitaire sous influence.

Friday February 13, 2026: Le Belmont’s second night of Taverne Tour will be headlined by The Posterz‘s Nate Husser, hot off the heels of a recent collaboration with Charlotte Cardin and a set at Madrid’s Mad Cool Festival. Rising electronic music producer and artist Kaya Hoax, Blaise Rival, a new producer, who will be accompanied on stage by Greg Beaudin, Hawa B and Sensei H, as well as Chung will round out Friday night.

La Sala Rossa: 4848 Boulevard Saint Laurent

Thursday, February 12, 2026: New York-based singer/songwriter and former member of Girls, Christopher Owens will headline Taverne Tour’s first night at the historic La Sala Rossa, playing a set from I Wanna Run Barefoot Through Your Hair, his first album in over seven years. Thursday night will be rounded out by rising multidisciplinary artist Sean Nicholas Savage and new Arbutus Records signees Fine Food Market.

Friday, February 13, 2026: Taverne Tour’s second night at La Sala Rossa will be headlined by Les Freaks de Montréal, an ephemeral collective featuring Away, Joe Evil and Afut’chose’s Alex Crow and Vincent Peake, who will be performing a bummage to legendary Lucien Francœur with special guests Alix Fernz, Annie-Claude Deschênes, Chou’s Charles Laplante, Radio-Canada’s Félix B. Defossés, Margaret Tracteur, Population II and Mulch‘s Rose Cormier. Enfants Sauvages‘ Rox Arcand will open.

Saturday, February 14, 2026: New York’s Lydia Lunch and Marc Hurtado will be making their collaboration’s North American premiere, playing a headlining set, covering the revolutionary and influential work of Alan Vega and Suicide. Taverne Tour’s third night at La Sala Rossa will be rounded out by industrial artist Belly Hatcher; and London-based experimental pop artist Nuha Ruby Ra, who will be making their Canadian premiere.

Le Ministère: 4521 Boulevard Saint Laurent

Traditionally, Le Ministère serves as Taverne Tour headquarters. That continues with the festival’s tenth edition, with the former bank-turned-venue hosting a series of eclectic shows highlighted by video projections from Atsuko Chiba‘s Anthony Piazza, as well as a handful of free events.

Friday, February 13, 2026: The music portion of the night will feature Queens-based Daptone Records and Wick Records artists The Mystery Lights, who will play a headlining set of 60s rock, psych rock and garage rock-inspired sounds. The night will be rounded out by Garden of Love, a power pop supergroup featuring members of Faze, Laughing, Ursula, Cheap Wig and Enormous Door; and Sudbury, ON-based garage punks Strange Attractor.

The night continues with New York-based DJ, promoter, venue owner and Taverne Tour mainstay Jonathan Toubin, who will be returning with his popular New York Night Train party, a mobile party, which sees Toubin spinning soul 45s — and features a dance contest. And for my Montréal friends and travelers, Toubin’s New York Night Train party will be free.

Saturday, February 14, 2026: Valentine’s Day at Taverne Tour headquarters will be a busy one: The music portion of the night will be headlined by Brooklyn-based femme punk duo Firstsex, which features members of THICK. Camilla Sparksss, a Canadian-born, Swiss-based artist will be playing a set featuring material from their sophomore album, ICU RUN. Duchess Says‘ and PyPy’s Annie-Claude Deschênes will play a multidisciplinary set rooted in her quest to merge music and performance art. Acclaimed, French Electronic music duo Kap Bambino, known for their raw and chaotic stage show will also perform.

At midnight, Taverne Tour’s Analogue Addiction-hosted Pizza Party will feature a set from New York-based masked punks Balaclava, who will be making their Canadian debut.

La Sotterenea: 4848 Boulevard Saint Laurent, basement

Thursday, February 12, 2026: Taverne Tour’s run at La Sotterenea will kick off with the release of the indie video game, The Night This Place Freezes Over, which, like the festival takes places in Montréal’s many live music venues. The game’s music is by Toronto-based outfit Korea Town Acid, who will be opening the night. The night will be roused out by punk quartet Durex, Nuha Ruby Ra and headliners Victime, who released one of the most interesting post punk albums of last year, En conversation avec.

Friday, February 13, 2026: Taverne Tour’s second night at La Sotterenea will be headlined by prolific French artist Jessica93, whose most recent album, last year’s 666 tours de periph’ features a skillful blend of shoegaze, industrial and grunge. Guelph, ON-based goth/post punk outfit Bonne Trash, led by the Bortolon-Vettor sisters and Mickey Dagger, the doyen of the Montréal underground will round out the night’s festivities.

Saturday, February 14, 2026: Paris-based singer/songwriter and DJ Bernardino Femminielli will headline the festival’s third night at La Sotterenea. The night will also feature the live debut of Bossanova Frankenstein, a mutant side project of Aus!Funkt that specializes in a blend of art-rock and electronic music; and Elle Barbara, who will be playing a set of material from her latest effort, Word on the Street.

Casa del Popolo: 4873 Boulevard Saint Laurent

Thursday, February 12, 2026: Taverne Tour’s first night at Casa del Popolo will feature a set from Nashville-based duo Twen. The Music City-based duo’s critically applauded latest effort, Fate Euphoric features a blend of late 1960s and early 2000s pop rock.

Friday, February 13, 2026: The festival’s second night at the legendary Montréal-based spot will feature Aizysee Baga, whose unique take on electric pop meshes flamboyant performance and thorny themes; Atlanta-based New Wave/no-wave artist Megan Dowlen; and Christian Sean, who released his full-length debut, last year’s Hallelujah Showers through Bonsound last January.

Saturday, February 14, 2026: Saturday night continues the eclectic vibes: Hélène Barbier, will play a set of material from Panorama. N Nao will be playing a set of material from her Polaris Music Prize-nominated effort, Nouveau Langage. And the night will be opened by Pastel Blank, an art rock project that draws from funk and features members of Fleece.

La Toscadura: 4388 Boulevard Saint Laurent

La Toscadura hosted its first live concert during Taverne Tour’s ninth edition earlier this year will be hosting an eclectic array of music for the festival’s tenth edition.

Thursday, February 12, 2026: Faze, one of the only hardcore acts with a trombone will be playing a headlining set. The night will feature Hamilton, ON-based hardcore outfit Cease; grindcore outfit Typeface; and Psychic Armour, an act with lyrics anchored around medieval imagery round out the festival’s first night at La Toscadura.

Saturday, February 14, 2026: Emma Beko will be playing a set of new material, which will further cement a sound that blends hip-hop, pop, alternative rock and folk. The night will be rounded out by Hamilton, ON-based art rap collective Super Duty Tough Work, whose last album, Paradigm Shift landed on the 2024 Polaris Music Prize shortlist. Quebecois-Togolese singer/songwriter Fyore will be playing a set that meshes elements of R&B and Afropop.

l’Escogriffe: 4461 Rue Saint Denis

Thursday, February 12, 2026: Taverne Tour starts things off at l’Esco with Bonbonbon-curated showcase featuring psych pop outfit Mort Rose, who will be releasing their highly-anticipated third album, Mont Rose. Acclaimed JOVM mainstay Vanille will be opening the night with her striking melodies and gorgeous tales of heartache.

Friday, February 13, 2026: Chicago-based JOVM mainstays FACS will be playing a headlining set featuring material from their Steve Albini-recorded Wish Defense. The night will be rounded out by Shunk, an act that stylistically bounces between post-punk, dream pop and shoegaze and We Owe, the solo recording project of Swans,’ Medicine Singers,’ and Yonatan Gat‘s Christopher Pravdica. Pravdica will be accompanied by Suuns’ Liam O’Neil (drums).

Saturday, February 14, 2026: Brooklyn-based post punks TVOD will be playing a set of material from their latest album Party Time. The night will be rounded out by Tear Dungeon, an Austin, TX-based noise orchestra featuring members of . . . And Now You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead and Thee Soreheads, a punk quartet led by Maria Jimenez.

Quai des brumes: 4481 Rue Saint Denis

Thursday, February 12, 2026: Split between Montréal and Los Angeles, American Lips, which features Jessica Bruzzese, Death from Above 1979‘s Sebastien Grainger and Tricky Woo’s Adrian Popovich will be launching their full-length debut, On Strike! at the Montréal-based institution. Toronto-based quartet Cootie Catcher and Motherhood‘s Penelope Stevens’ new project Penny & The Pits will round out the first night.

Friday, February 13, 2026: Folktronica band Afternoon Bike Ride will be headlining Taverne Tour’s second night at the beloved, Montréal institution. The night will be roused out by indie folk acts Fruit Snack and Québec City‘s Erika Hagen, who will be playing a set featuring this year’s Pouvoirs magiques.

O Patro Vys: 356 Avenue Mont Royal East

Friday, February 13, 2026: Toronto-based electro pop Jane Inc. will be launching her much-anticipated sophomore album. Montréal-based singer/songwriter, pop artist and animator Amery Sandford, the frontperson of Born at Midnite and the creative mastermind behind the mononymic recording project Amery will be playing a set of dreamy synth pop. Pony Girl’s Orchidae’s and KAY-fayb’s Yolande Laroche will be playing a set of dance music that explores themes of feminine rage and catharsis.

Saturday, February 14, 2026: Vincent Khouni will be playing a set of cinematic material, anchored by his melancholic vocals. Psych duo Wizaard will be playing a set featuring material from their recent album PECI. The night will be rounded out by Nectar Palace.

Taverne Saint-Sacrement: 775 Avenue Mont Royal East

Friday, February 13, 2026: The Fake Friends will be launching a new album with a set at Taverne Saint-Sacrement. HäwtDäwg, a new duo that blends pop and punk will open the night.

Saturday, February 14, 2026: Les Dales Hawerchuk, whose latest album Attaque á cinq received an ADISQ nomination will be playing a set at the acclaimed bistro.

Pub West Shefford: 1562 Avenue Mont Royal East

February 13, 2026: Blesse, who specialize in loud, melodic anthems will be headlining. Calgary-based JOVM mainstays Sunglaciers will be playing a set which will feature material from their fourth album, slated for a March release through Mothland.

Les Enfants du Rock: 1550 Avenue Mont Royal East

Saturday, February 14, 2026: Les Enfants du Rock will host Sons of Arrakis, a stoner rock band heavily influeced by the Dune universe and Toronto-based Kali Horse.

Chez Baptiste Mont-Royal: 1045 Avenue Mont Royal East

Thursday, February 12, 2026: Chez Baptiste will host Klaus, an act featuring Karwa‘s Marie-Pierre Arthur and Galaxie‘s François Lafontaine and Joe Grass, a solo artist, who has also worked with Patrick Watson, JOVM mainstay Elisapie, The Barr Brothers and Lhasa. Synth pop duo Fluer de Peau will round out the night.

Friday, February 13, 2026: The neighborhood bar will host Canadian rock legend Julie Doiron, who will be playing a set of material that blends elements of folk and alternative rock.

Le Verre Bouteille: 2112 Avenue Mont Royal East

Thursday, February 12, 2026: Taverne Tour’s first night sees the historic Montréal bistro hosting Hanorah, a singer whose vocal prowess effortlessly navigates harmonic ballads and virtuosic pieces, and Makenzie, an artist who pushes the boundaries of pop.

Friday, February 13, 2026: Kat Pereira, whose tracks, according to Le Devoir “intertwine neo-soul, hyper pop, jazz, nu funk and electro with great aplomb” will be headlining the festival’s second night at the bistro. Julien Fillion, a neo-jazz saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer, who incorporates rock and electronic influences rounds out the night.

Bottles & Whiskey: 2047 Avenue Mont Royal East

Saturday, February 14, 2026: Fittingly, Montréal honky tonk bar, Bottles & Whiskey will host Ben Vallee, who specializes in a sound rooted in Western/Americana-styled storytelling and honky tonk spirit will headline the night. Spaghatt, a duo that specializes in a raw country sound will be launching their Perte totale EP.

Aux 33 Tours: 1373 Avenue Mont Royal East

Friday, February 13, 2026: The Montréal-based record store will host a listening party for Lysandre‘s forthcoming album Portrait de l’invisible, which will be followed by a short, intimate set. This event will also be free for folks y’all.

The full first wave lineup — in alphabetical order — is below.

Afternoon Bike Ride
Aizysse Baga
Alix Fernz
American Lips
Amery
Annie-Claude Deschênes
Antoine Corriveau
Balaclava
Belly Hatcher
Ben Vallee
Bernardino Femminielli
Blaise Rival
Bonnie Trash
Bossanova Frankenstein
Brigante
Camilla Sparksss
Cease
Christian Sean
Christopher Owens
Chung
Cootie Catcher
Durex
Emma Beko
Enfants Sauvages
Elle Barbara
Erika Hagen
FACS
Faze
Fine Food Market
Firstsex
Fleur de peau
Fruit Snack
Fyore
Garden of Love
Hanorah
HäwtDäwg
Hélène Barbier
Hot Garbage
Jane Inc.
Jessica93
Julie Doiron
Julien Fillion
Kali Horse
Kap BambinoKat Pereira 
Kaya Hoax
Kayo Dot
Klaus
Korea Town Acid
Les Dales Hawerchuk
Les Freaks de Montréal
Lydia Lunch & Marc Hurtado
Lysandre
Makenzie
Meghan Dowlen 
Mickey Dagger
Mort Rose
N Nao
Nate Husser
Nectar Palace
New York Night Train
Nuha Ruby Ra
Pastel Blank
Penny & The Pits
Pons
Protomartyr
Psychic Armour
Sean Nicholas Savage
Shunk
Sons of Arrakis
Spaghatt
Strange Attractor
Sunglaciers
Super Duty Tough Work
Tear Dungeon
Thee Soreheads
The Fake Friends
The Mystery Lights
Typeface
TVOD
Twen
Vanille
Victime
Vincent Khouni
We Owe
Wizaard
Yolande Laroche
Yoo Doo Right

Ticket information and more can be found here.

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