I was at Pop Montreal last year (here, here, here and here) and left Quebec thinking that it was the best music/arts festival in Canada. Possibly the world? Yes, I need to contest that with many other events in America, Europe and other places. However, Montreal is close, it offers great culture, great food (poutine-in-stomach), cheap cabs, cheap booze, and most of all, some of the best flippin' music on this side of the country.

Pop Montreal will host a ridiculous number of bands and artists from all around for four (4!) days, beginning October 3rd and ending on the even of October 7th. Big names appearing at the fest this year include:

* Patti Smith
* Pere Ubu
* Grizzly Bear
* Cody ChesnuTT
* Ron Sexsmith
* Buck 65

Other acts include:

* Caribou
* The Born Ruffians
* Miracle Fortress
* Basia Bulat
* the ever-loving Think About Life
* We're Marching On...
* Thunderhesit
* Half Japanese
* My Dad vs. Yours
* Ohbijou

...and my favourite pick for the year, Sunset Rubdown. Just a heads-up: The new Sunset Rubdown record, 'Random Spirit Lover', is so good that I can't think of a better way to describe how good it is. Listen to it. The record comes out October 9th on Jagjaguwar Records.

For those who are interested for a read and some photos, have a look back here every day between October 4rd and October 8th to see what has been going on.