T-minus one month until Pop Montreal

[Above: The National]

Attention, music fiends: It’s time to brush up on your French.

Despite stiff competition from American contenders like New York, Austin, Portland, and many others, Montreal has scrapped and beguiled its way to the top of the North American music heap. It’s well documented that the MTL has been steadily churning out much-buzzed exports like the Arcade Fire and Sunset Rubdown over the past few years. But at the same time, the city has seen its flagship music festival, Pop Montreal, blow up in stature to the point where it’s starting to draw serious attention from the non-Quebecois crowd. Clearly, the Province du Quebec isn’t just exporting NHL goaltenders anymore.

Don’t believe the hype? Check the star power for Pop Montreal '07, which runs October 3-7: art punk veterans Patti Smith and Pere Ubu, blogger faves Grizzly Bear and The National, explosive live acts Man Man and Ted Leo, with extra helpings of heady artists like Fujiya & Miyagi, Final Fantasy, Patrick Wolf, Earlimart, Hot Hot Heat, Caribou and some 300 other artists competing for the festival spotlight.

Shows take place at venues throughout the historic city. Other attractions include the helpfully named Film Pop, Art Pop, and Puces Pop (okay, that one’s a crafts festival).

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