February 12-15, 2025
Montreal’s Taverne Tour festival turns 10
Free, unexpected food startles me. Especially in the dark.
Last Friday, Rockette bar’s second floor, was filled to the brim to with it, in honor of Tavern Tour’s kick-off party.
See Also: Music 4 Cancer 2024 in photos
Another interesting thing about Rockette’s second floor is the ”open bathroom area”. There’s a sign on one of the stalls that kindly asks you not to be ”more than one person in a stall”, at any given time. Upon reading it, a certain naughty memory of mine from long ago resurfaced, and I thought to myself: ”Wow, I contributed to this rule being necessary.”
But never mind that! Tonight is the launch party, and guess what? There are bands playing for this grand occasion, the 10th edition of Tavern Tour.
So, without wasting anymore time, here’s my breakdown of Taverne Tour, this past Thursday and Saturday, venue by venue.
Opening party at Rockette and MULCH
I had to pee, so I headed upstairs. However, on the way, I realized coat check was free.
Let me just take a quick moment to liberate myself of my winter garments, I thought.
But there’s a caveat to this free offer: if you lose your coat check token, you pay 2$. But that won’t happen to me, I think to myself.
Downstairs, MULCH was about to start, so I skedaddled on down to where the band was setting up.
Activating the electric current and starting to fuzz around with their instruments, MULCH awoke for their set. They’re a 4 piece band from Montreal and play – let me check their Instagram account- frog punk. For the uninitiated, punk rock bands have the very entertaining habit of naming what type of punk they play, usually on show flyers. There are, of course, no other frog punk bands that I’m aware of.
Right away, Rose, the band’s singer, exclaims at the top of her lungs, that music is always a political statement, which makes my eye twitch slightly. Reverb heavy vocals unfortunately denied me the possibility of understanding anything the band has to say about politics. I will say one thing though: It’s groovy, dirty sounding, aggressive punk with noisy undertones and they don’t shy away from following whatever musical thread they decide to pull on. Contrary to their name, this band is not an inanimate pile of detritus; they’re way more energetic than typical mulch.
I remember seeing them last year opening for Béton Armé and not quite getting into the vibe of it due to the vocal effects. This time around, I enjoyed being up close to the band and getting the full frontal experience.
And then I lost my coat check ticket. Drats.
Korea Town Acid at Sotterenea
Dead serious, the June nominated artist known as Korea Town Acid sits at a table, and casually presses buttons and twists knobs with great purpose.
At first sight, the stage looks like a mess of cables and abandoned instruments. Side by side, stacked in small groups, are old television sets; they’re present on either side of Jessica Cho aka Korea Town Acid. They have cool, glitchy, pattern effects with that retro, CRT feel. The patterns rotate, warp and move in a loop. It’s pretty cool.
However, Sotterenea is selling small cans of Labatt 50 for 8.50$. Are the cans made of sterling silver?
I decide it’s time to hit Le Belmont for the next show. Though I certainly won’t find cheaper beer there.
Tonight, Le Belmont is sold out for Protomartyr, a post-punk band from Detroit that is headlining the Taverne Tour festival.
A band that I did not see, and I’ll tell you why.
Alix Fernz at Le Belmont
I arrive at Le Belmont in the frigid cold. It’s about -26 degrees Celsius in Montreal.
Outside the club, there’s a line-up and the bouncer looks stressed. Me and my friend get behind the dozen of people waiting in line.
Once inside, it’s a bit chaotic. Mandatory coat check causes a bottleneck. I successfully jedi mind trick the bouncers into letting me with my jacket.
In the main hall, Alix Fernz is on stage twisting and stalking, like there’s an insect inside his head or an emotional distress he’s trying to bottle up. He walks back and forth, between the front of the stage and his electronic, musical gear. His hand almost never leaves the mic stand.
The music and the visuals to this performer are intrinsically linked . His music is summoned from some cliché, dark and sexual nightmare world. It’s oddly enthralling. I didn’t expect to enjoy his albums as much as I did, listening to them later on. Definitely an interesting act to discover on the Taverne Tour.
However, the show itself had horrible lighting. They were saving the blood lasers for Protomartyr. Which you won’t see here because I could only stand one more set at Le Belmont.
And that set was Hot Garbage.
Hot Garbage at Le Belmont
”Oh fuck,” I remember thinking. ”This bass is heavy.”
Toronto based Hot Garbage wasted no time in rattling our rib cages with their unique brand of post punk. One thing was pretty clear to me at Taverne Tour this year: post-punk was definitely in vogue. Now, this was to be expected from bands supporting Protomartyr, however no one else did it quite like Hot Garbage.
This band has definitely evolved over time. Listening to their discography, it’s easy to see their progression from a lighter, clear psychedelic rock form, to their more recent, heavier incarnation. Though sometimes going off into musical flights of fantasy, it remains easy to listen to and doesn’t bury itself in unnecessary complexity or noise. It’s clear to the point and maintains a hypnotic effect that’s interesting to experience live.
Le Cypher X at O Patro Vys
Tonight, Le Belmont is like kryptonite to me. I can’t stand being there any longer.
Outside the venue, I decide to take a chance and head on to O Patro Vys for Le Cypher X. This proves to be a good idea. From a super packed, dense den of people, I suddenly find myself in the chillest of ambiances.
In the venue, a grill station is set up. Delicious sandwiches are being assembled. All over, a laid back, lounge vibe permeates the room. I can breathe again.
On stage, the group known as Le Cypher X slowly gets their engines going, warming up. With a live band that included guitar, bass, drums and saxophone, they come together with a timeless hip hop mechanic that just works. With one emcee and 2 singers, the whole thing permeates good vibes. Both of the singers present are fantastic and seem to form the core of the evening’s band line-up.
It brings me back to the care free days of hanging out in hip hop scenarios. The atmosphere was healthy and bright. It was great!
But alas, my mission was not complete. I could still make one more stop. Take one more chance.
It was time to head to L’Escogriffe on a hunch.
Vanille at L’Escogriffe
Immediately upon entering L’Escogriffe, I’m wrapped in a soft, reassuring auditory experience. It suffuses my entire being.
The bar seems full to capacity and I know my task of getting up front to take photos will be difficult. As politely as possible, I make my way forward.
Vanille is an aptly named band that plays seductive, nostalgic pop rock. It’s impossible not to be immediately enchanted by lead singer and project founder Chantal Leblanc. The rest of the band equally contributes to the overall dreamy atmosphere with their smooth demeanor and playing style. Another great musical find.
However, it isn’t done yet. The Escogriffe headliner, Mort Rose, is about to start.
Mort Rose at L’Escogriffe
Turning up the pace ever so slightly, is Mort Rose. I quickly realize that most of the band is shared with Vanille.
I’d describe this band as memory lane pop rock. They play bright, shiny tunes with a touch of humor and broken hearted melodrama. Mort Rose, the band’s name, is a clever French play on the word ”morose” and suits them perfectly.
At this point, I wind down, take in the music and put away my camera for the night.
Ladies and gentlemen, this puts an end to Thursday night at Taverne Tour 2026, in Montreal. But wait, isn’t there more, you’re asking? Yes indeed, there is.
Let’s fast forward past Friday and into Saturday night. Quai des Brumes is up next.
That Static at Quai des Brumes
Post punk is all over Taverne Tour this year. That Static, playing on Saturday at Quai des Brumes, is one of the band’s that implements this moody genre to their musical recipe.
As the band drags themselves to the stage, I take my leave from a Raphaelle and Stephane, 2 bar patrons who were not, they told me, on a Valentine’s day date. They were just old friends.
That Static is post punk package with lots of proggy experimentation. I would even say, explosive it’s explosive. The drummer was particularly amazing to listen to.
And now, for something completely different.
Ben Vallée and Spaghatt at Bottes et Whiskey
Ben Vallée is a slow rolling country drama. There’s dancing in front of the stage and cowboy hats here and there. I find myself in a country lover’s paradise.
The bar, Bottes et Whiskey, is packed. Just like almost every other Taverne Tour show, the place is stuffed with humans in every corner. But this place was just cracking full.
Following Ben Vallée, was Spaghatt, a pop country singer with a little penchant for the honky tonkin’. This visit is lightning quick for me. I’m currently on the dringes of the Taverne Tour galaxy. However, there’s one more stop important stop to make. Checking my watch, I notice that it’s the perfect time to jump to hyperspace and head on over to les Enfants du Rock.
In this, the furthest venue east, is where I’ll find my endgame. The band I wanted to see from the very beginning of this 2 night adventure.
Sons of Arrakis.
Kali Horse at Enfants du Rock
Kali Horse is already playing when I enter the bar. And I am immediately struck by the clarity of the singer. It made me realize I’d had my fill of distorted, reverb vocals.
It was a real trippy experience. The music is kind of pop grungy, psychedelic in it’s unexpected tangents it takes. At this point, I have no more capacity for memory. My brain is dead.
I’m concentrating on photos.
Sons of Arrakis at Enfants du Rock
The Sons of Arrakis drummer is momentarily absent, prompting the guitarist to yell his name in the microphone. ”Didn’t we have a drummer?, asks the lead guitarist, to no one in particular.
Moments later, the missing musician comes running through the bar and the set begins. About 20 minutes prior this, I had spoken to the drummer’s father who was waiting for the show to begin. I can spot a proud dad a mile away.
Sons of Arrakis is Quebec’s very own stoner metal masters. To say they’re talented is an understatement. Wondering why you’ve never heard of them? Well, they tour Europe a fair bit and have earned much success abroad. I highly suggest checking this band out.
They played a new track, which tested the singer’s vocal range. I think it was well received by the crowd. I certainly enjoyed it.
Read More:
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It’s midnight and the last note of the festival has been plucked. The crowd cries for more and graciously, Sons of Arrakis acquiesce and play one more song.
But that’s a wrap for me. Taverne Tour 2026 was quite a ride. See you next year.
I’m going home.
