September 14, 2025
Pennywise, The Interrupters lead the fight against cancer, at Music 4 Cancer
With each year that passes, the Music 4 Cancer festival has grown exponentially in terms of both the artists that show up to play, and the gathering that turns out to watch and help raise funds to combat cancer – the disease that has effected everyone in one way or another – and the 2025 edition was no exception.
This year was headlined by The Interrupters, who have enjoyed immense support from Quebec since their first visit way back at Montebello Rockfest, where they were a last minute fill-in, and the mighty Pennywise that are without a doubt among the biggest skate punk bands ever formed – and greatly adored in la belle province. Not only did people show out in record shattering numbers, a large portion of those that came out were children.
See Also: Music 4 Cancer 2024 in photos
Music 4 Cancer takes place in Sainte-Thérèse, a small town about thirty kilometers north of Montreal, and every year people come from all around the world to listen to punk rock and help raise funds for the cause. Unlike other charities; this one makes sure the money that it raises goes to the places it is intended to reach.
While centralized around punk rock, Music 4 Cancer is so much more than your average music festival. This is a family orientated three days and while the inflatable bouncing castles and wrestling rings have been left aside, probably due to the ever growing crowds that show up year after year and space limitations, the festival remains very much a family focused affair. There are always extra thoughts given to this element – from inflatable beach balls and balloons to giant rubber ducks – or as was the case this year, a giant inflatable unicorn, for the big old and young to ride about on top of the crowd on.
On the first night of Music 4 Cancer, a whopping eighty-five percent of the beer allocated for the three days had been sold and consumed – and that was the opening night! The smaller of the three nights, no less, that takes place on a Thursday night and showcases local artists and cover bands as opposed to the international and local combinations that are set to play the following two days. Osti the Quebecois like to drink!
Luckily, the hardworking team behind Music 4 Cancer were able to act fast and restock before Friday nights masses turned up to dance and drink their night away. Friday was the Ska portion of the weekend, featuring local legends the Planet Smashers, K-Man & The 45s, Ska Sound System, 2 Stone 2 Skank and a tribute band playing Reel Big Fish covers.
Saturday was a tad more rowdy, headlined by the always great Pennywise, and featuring Cigar, Krang who came all the way from the Czech Republic, Mad Caddies, Fire Sale, The Corps, Reset, The Matchup, The Speakeasy, Death By Dingo, Sudden Waves, The Last Mile, Matora and Pace.
Oh and Georges Laraque turned up! As did a bunch of pro skateboarders that were competing at the Jackalope festival in Montreal.
Read More:
>> Music 4 Cancer 2023 in photos
>> Music 4 Cancer 2021 in Sainte-Therese, Quebec
>> Pouzza Fest 2025 photo gallery – Kieron Yates
In a time where there is so much division in the world, so much hatred and tension, it was nice to escape it all and spend time with thousands of likeminded people, while helping to raise money to find a cure for a bastard of a disease that has taken so many lives from us all. Every single person on this planet has lost someone to cancer, and while we haven’t found a cure yet, we’ll keep coming back to the beautiful town of Sainte-Thérèse, to help Music 4 Cancer organizer Jay Epinat raise funds until that cure is found.
Fuck cancer.
