Pop Montreal Day 2 - Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire at Pop Montreal, Sept 22 2011. Ashley Tanasiychuk photo

Photos – Karkwa, Arcade Fire, Grimes, Kid Koala and more on Day 2 of 2011 Pop Montreal

– by Ashley Tanasiychuk

POP Montreal 2011
DAY 2

Although the weather wasn’t anything like Wednesday’s balmy, clear sky perfection,
the early rain tapered off by early afternoon, and only occasional clouds blocked the late summer sun.
Which was perfect, since the superstars at POP Montreal (I’m looking at you, Sarah Shoucri)
had organized a FREE outdoor concert in the heart of downtown Montreal: Place des Festivals du Quartier des Spectacles,
where Jazz Fest and other festivals are held.
Unbelievably, 3 of Quebec’s most successful exports were going to play one after the other:
impossibly likeable DJ Kid Koala, followed by the two most recent Polaris Prize winning bands: indie rockers Karkwa (2010 winners) and international superstars Arcade Fire (2011 winners).
The sound was huge, the lighting was fantastic, and the performances were outstanding.
My only complaint was the unnecessarily tall stage – I felt like I had been hit with a shrinking ray before heading into the pit.

Following this,
Moody indie/stoner rockers Mood Rings, and pop band Le Couleur played at Royal Phoenix.
Then the weird but wonderful solo electro songstress Grimes and the totally intense, loud (and highlight of the night) duo called TONSTARTSSBANDHT played at Mission Santa Cruz.
Finally, psychedelic rockers Quest For Fire brought the fuzzed out guitars & got the headbangers stoked at Divan Orange.