Day 2 of Pop Montreal was a fun night.
I went to four different venues which were:
Club Soda to see Hey Ocean! and Joel Plaskett Emergency

Metropolis to see Fever Ray
Jupiter Room to see Said The Whale
Petit Campus to see Flecton Big Sky

First show was seeing Hey Ocean! at Club Soda.
I had ...

Technically, Pop Montreal started last night with some pretty impressive shows. But I wasn't there, and I didn't really want to talk about all the really great acts (Bahamas and My People Sleeping in particular) that I'd be missing. But I'm in Montreal as of this evening, so here's the i(heart)music guide to Pop Montreal.

Todor Kobakov, 8 pm @ O Patro Vys (with Brian Borcherdt, Julie Fader, Ryan Dahle, By Divine Right and The William Blakes)

Honestly, the only reason I haven't written about Kobakov's debut, Pop Music, yet is that I haven't the faintest idea of how to describe classical music. But, as the saying goes, I know what I like, and I really like this guy's music. Plus he's played with the likes of Stars, Emily Haines, Jason Collett and a whole bunch of other fairly well-known people, so you have to figure that a bit of their knack for performing will have rubbed off on him. Regardless, he's definitely worth checking out.

Alternate 8 pm suggestion: Hey Ocean @ Club Soda

Dowload "Carpe Diem (featuring Emily Haines)"

The Paint Movement, 9 pm @ Divan Orange (with Yukon Blonde, Leif Vollebekk, Fox Jaws and Gregory Pepper and His Problems)

Very quietly, Nevado Records has become one of the most interesting new labels in Canada. The Paint Movement, Fox Jaws, Yukon Blonde, Bahamas (who, sadly, isn't playing this)...none are household names yet, but you get the feeling it's only a matter of time, and it won't be long before fans of their talented roster aren't able to fit into a setting as cozy as Divan Orange. Catch them now, because the opportunity won't be there for much longer.

Alternate 9 pm suggestion: Dinosaur Bones @ Il Motore

Dowload "Terms"

Martin Royle, 10 pm @ Les 3 Minots (with Oldfolks Home, Hooded Fang and The Breezes)

To a large extent, this pick is driven by nostalgia. Actually, scratch that; this pick is entirely driven by nostalgia. I saw Royle at the inaugural Pop Montreal about eight years ago (which makes me feel very, very old), and as frontman of Washington Social Club he wowed me. I can't say I know what he's been up to since then, but I'm eager to find out, if only for old time's sake.

And if he sucks, then just stick around for Oldfolks Home and Hooded Fang.

Alternate 10 pm suggestion: Boxer The Horse @ Jupiter Room

Unfortunately, no download. I can't seem to find any music from him. So instead, here's "Charlie The Russian", from Royle's Washington Social Club days

Leif Vollebekk, 11 pm @ Divan Orange (with The Paint Movement, Yukon Blonde, Fox Jaws and Gregory Pepper and His Problems)

Basically, see what I said above for The Paint Movement. This may just be the most stacked line-up of the night.

Alternate 11 pm suggestion: Sports: The Band @ Balattou (who, technically, are actually on at 11:30, not 11)

Dowload "Quebec"

Young Galaxy, 12 am @ Il Motore (with Dinosaur Bones, Mardeen and Silver Starling)

Do I really need to explain this pick? Probably not. But just in case you need refreshing: Young Galaxy are a great band. They're extremely good live. They have an excellent new record out. And they're some of the nicest people I've met in music. In other words...see them.

Alternate 12 am suggestion: Hooded Fang @ Les 3 Minots (or Brides @ Casa del Popolo. There are a lot of good bands playing at this time slot, so you really can't go wrong with whatever you pick!)

Dowload "The Golden Coin"