Peter Gabriel never does things like the others. He decided to unveil the extracts of his new album I/O in droplets based on the lunar calendar; a new song has been released every full moon since January 6th. The 73-year-old singer has launched nine songs, without giving more details on the official launch date of the album, which was nevertheless promised this year. However, we can be sure of one thing: Gabriel will be on stage at the Bell Center with his faithful accomplices on September 13 to discover the songs he has been cooking up for 21 years now. True to form, there is indeed no question for the former leader of Genesis to play the nostalgia card by relying on his great successes; he will be on stage to show how his creative energy is still intact.
During an evening in Laval, 1990s rap will be in the spotlight. Wu-Tang Clan, De La Soul and especially Nas are still active, but the NY State Out Mind Tour further celebrates the many past hits from these artists’ vast repertoire. It will also be an opportunity to honor the memory of David Jolicoeur, alias Trugoy the Dove, who passed away on February 12, as well as that of Ol Dirty Bastard, who died almost 19 years ago.
One of the most beautiful surprises of the year was certainly the unexpected spring release of a new album by Philippe Brach, Les gens qu’on aime. The feverish singer-songwriter, who has not given a show for four years, is undertaking a major tour of Quebec this fall, which will last at least until June 2024 and which will take him through the MTelus in November. We look forward to this reunion which promises to be explosive. And having seen him late at night on an outdoor stage at the Francos in June, we can guarantee you that Brach is in good shape and voice, and that his charisma is intact.
Grammy-winning Montrealer Kaytranada and American singer Aminé have crafted an object of pure pleasure with their collaborative album, released last May. The album inspires sunshine and celebration. Pharrell, Snoop Dogg and Amaarae are among the collaborators. In show, Kaytranada always knows how to set up an entertaining, dancing and hovering atmosphere. With this recent record as material, we can expect a set that will end the summer in style.
You have to have a bit of white in your hair (or almost) to remember the Arctic Monkeys’ first visit to Montreal, in March 2006, at the defunct Spectrum: a punchy concert, led by young greenhorns who were rock like no one had ever rocked before them. Not quite 20 years later, Alex Turner has lost none of his verve – he is a fabulous storyteller – but he and his companions have gained in finesse and even in grandeur. From raw, almost brutal rock, Arctic Monkeys have moved on to an arty form where the grooves are intelligent and the orchestrations ample on their records Tranquility Based Hotel Casino (2018) and The Car (2022). It will be interesting to see how all this can coexist with the fireworks of the AM album and previous ones. Answer… this Saturday at the Bell Centre!
With his many visits in recent years, added to his exhibition a year ago at the Maison des festivals – an exclusive in North America – we can guess the love of the Australian for our metropolis. A love shared by fans here, who will have the chance to show it again during this “intimate” show at Place des Arts. No, his lifelong sidekick and member in good standing of his group Bad Seeds – Warren Ellis – will not be at his side for this piano-guitar performance. But dry the tears: it’s another great of rock music who will complete the duo and will provide the guitar and bass rhythm, Colin Greenwood, of the legendary group Radiohead. Cave and Greenwood on stage for one night: no, we won’t miss it!
The British rock band Black Country, New Road almost ceased to exist when frontman Isaac Wood left, who had to retire to take care of his health. His subsequent tour had been cancelled. This decision closely followed the release of the fabulous album Ants From Up There, a disc which drew a glorious destiny for the formation. Fortunately, Black Country, New Road is still alive and will be in Montreal in mid-September. We can’t wait to see what the band, in its current form, will offer on stage.
Quebec metalheads will have finally waited nearly four years before being able to see Tatiana Shmayluk and her band again, who saw their schedule disrupted first by the pandemic, but then by the invasion of their country by Russia, there are more one year. It is therefore as cultural ambassadors of Ukraine that the four have taken to the road again, using their uninhibited metal as a weapon of mass awareness. Jinjer arrives at the MTelus with a relentless, incredibly well-oiled machine, led by a singer who defies the laws of nature and supported by a “power trio” that makes any self-respecting musician drool with envy. Jinjer is in the process of integrating the inner circle of metal royalty, this is the perfect opportunity to see the group up close.
