Lulu LaMontagne, La Sala Rosa

The long anticipated Something Fest finally took place on July 13th after weeks of cheeky online promos and chatter through the grapevine. There was a certain buzz in the air that Saturday. The all-day venue crawl spanned from Mai/son to Quai de Brumes, and finally ending at La Sala Rosa, with perfectly curated lineups catering to a myriad of tastes. A celebration of locality through arts, music, and collective with all profits going to the mutual aid group NDG Food Not Bombs, Something Fest was truly a show of the power of community organizing.

The peak summer weather of blaring heat and sporadic downpours seemed fitting for this classically Montreal event. The rain seemed to align with the increasing tempo of the coming set list, as the first peaceful notes began at Mai/son to the background of splatters. From firsthand accounts (as an inescapable work shift kept me from attending), the soft and honest lyricism, skillful guitar, and dreamy soundscapes delivered by Johan Miranda, Hanako and Rachella Wred created a personal atmosphere of creative exchange. In combination with the art market upstairs, this eased festivalgoers slowly into the big day ahead.

I was able to make it just in time for the beginning of the Bloodfarts set at Quai des Brumes and walked in to echoes of praise for Chris Clegg’s prior set. As the clouds parted and the sun began to shine, the energy rose alongside it. Stepping into the venue of wooden walls, high ceilings, and stained glass, a palpable comradery carried over from the previous venue, enhanced by newcomers trailing in. Bloodfarts as a band name promises an entertaining performance — and they certainly did not disappoint. The four piece folk-pop band had such a natural character and comedy, frequently bringing in a new feature more impressive than the last. From a variety of instruments seemingly pulled out of nowhere to silly sound effects, each song was made their own, whether a cover or original. Aside from the theatrics, their talent was strong. The blending of their voices and synergy between members was striking and emotional. Their unique charm was well received by the cozy (yet growing) crowd through laughter, swaying, and singing. Followed by Cianalas, a four piece traditional Irish folk band seemingly straight from Dublin, who blessed us with a performance that felt like it had generations of voices singing alongside them. Otherworldly passion and folklore magic flowed through them with the help of a fiddle, violin, accordion, and guitar. The music seemed everlasting, each song blending into the next with the rise and fall of the violin; there wasn’t a moment of silence. Their insane technical skill got the crowd moving with ease, playing faster than we could keep up with at times. Seconds into a song you couldn’t help but stomp, clap, cheer and jig; there is nothing like locking arms and swinging ‘round and ‘round to turn an acquaintance into a friend. This early evening dance had me skipping out of the venue, noticing fellow showgoers on the street and stopping to rave about the fun we had just had.

As the sun began to set and the streets started to fill up, scattered groups made their way down Saint-Laurent to La Sala Rosa, creating the typical stylish crowd outside, stirring excitement as you near. The final stop for the night was electric before music even began. Beside the Something Fest merch table, showing off charming handmade pieces, was the NDG Food Not Bombs table with zines and friendly faces sharing their message. Their collective “by and for community” serves free meals in NDG, helping to provide food security and foster mutual aid, along with offering COVID conscious volunteer opportunities and zine collaboration. These introductions, reunions and embraces filled the space with the whirr of conversation and connection.

Lulu LaMontagne quickly captured everyone’s attention with one of the best intros I’ve seen yet: dramatic guitar, theatrical poses and pauses keeping us all on the edge of our seats. Their sonic abilities wouldn’t dare to be restricted — switching so easily from melodic ballads into punk rock anthems, diving all in at any given moment. They were the perfect choice to open up the night, as Lulu comes down into the crowd to start and end the show bringing us all closer together. Next, Superstar Crush kept spirits high, having visible fun on stage and almost never not dancing, and prompting us to do the same. Originally from Hamilton, ON, they have created quite the fan base as the audience sings the lyrics back to them — a sense of familiarity filling the room. This relatability was beautifully translated into movement as the packed venue burst into dance. An epic cover of Black Sheep by Metric as their encore only emphasized the super-Canadian music scene feel. The Satisfactory, another local favourite, began the last set of the night with a hilarious intro with a believable constable relaying orders about a noise complaint… the punchline being that there wasn’t enough of it! Whether a purposeful comment on the current state of music venues and noise complaints in Montreal or not, this witty opening got the audience going, simultaneously excited for more and not wanting the night to end. The band carried in a classic rock sound we all know and love, letting us take in the final moments of the atmosphere to snappy beats and timeless rhythms.

Something Fest was a feat in the celebration of the great medley of talented artists in and around Montreal. Many of these artists are young adults and students with no ulterior motives — just a want to create, share, and revel in music. With ever-sharpening discourses about arts and culture in the city, along with increasing surveillance and silencing of local venues in Montreal, the success of an event like this can really be seen as an act of resistance. Local venues are the foundation to any culture, as intimate yet expansive spaces built on mutual reliance and collaboration are truly what makes art possible. The direct support of NDG Food Not Bombs serves as a reminder of the interconnectivity of community building; in order for creative spaces to thrive, the city must start with wellbeing and security. It was refreshing to experience an event as sincere, inclusive, celebratory, and not to mention as impressively well-organized as this one. Simply a true homage to the people and the spirits of Montreal — grit, passion and the belief in something bigger.

Concert review and photography by Iola Niemelainen