9 Must-See Acts at This Year's POP Montréal

POP Montréal returns for its 24th year today, with an extensive roster of artists performing all around the city. With so many acts to choose from during its 5-day run, it can be overwhelming trying to navigate who to see. Don’t fret, as we’ve created your ultimate guide to POP Montréal’s must-see acts, from established, Canadian names like U.S. Girls and Isabella Lovestory, to rising bands and artists like Ribbon Skirt, Billianne, and Chanel Beads.

Backxwash

Backxwash, aka Ashanti Mutinta, has made a name for herself as one of Montreal’s best rappers. Her album, Only Dust Remains, made our list of the best albums of 2025 so far. Here’s what we said about it: “On Only Dust Remains, Ashanti Mutinta conjures everything from the meta-existentialism of Moor Mother, to the prog-rap of Young Fathers, digital intricacies of clipping., and Yeezus levels of damp, brash Auto-Tune. The perspective repeatedly switches between micro and macro, as Backxwash, ever the intergenerational, socio-political magician in rap, casts a spell on Black trans life through gothic, scorched-earth overtures, unpredictable pop tangents and prompt lyrical critiques of global corruption and genocide. Only Dust Remains is Backxwash’s most conventional album yet, but its resistance and expansiveness are never sacrificed. These songs are caustic, knotty monoliths, and Mutinta bedecks her sacrifices with challenging, orchestrated resignations; the occultic, unsettled energy of her previous releases gets substituted with potent electronic abstraction.”

No Joy

No Joy, the project of Jasamine White-Gluz, is one of Montreal’s premier shoegaze acts. While No Joy has been consistently great throughout the years, White-Gluz’s latest album, Bugland (her first since 2020’s Motherhood), is one of her most critically acclaimed records to date, inspired by her move from Montreal to Quebec’s countryside. It’s the kind of maximalist album that makes you wonder how it would sound live, making this a perfect opportunity to see how White-Gluz’s sonic world unfurls onstage.

Truth Club

North Carolina-based post-punks Truth Club made our list of the best albums of October 2023 with their sophomore album and Double Double Whammy debut, Running From the Chase, which we considered “one of the most alluring and uncomfortable records of the year” with songs that “create an impending sense of doom while also getting stuck in your head.” While Truth Club haven’t put out a follow-up yet, it’s worth checking them out and seeing what they’ve got cooking.

Billianne

Canadian singer-songwriter Billianne blew us away at our SXSW showcase with her warm energy and soulful voice. She also recently released a great new album, Modes of Transportation. If you haven’t had the chance to listen to her music yet, check out her Paste session and you’ll see why she’s a can’t-miss artist at POP Montréal.

U.S. Girls

U.S. Girls, the project of Meg Remy, is a Canadian indie legend and one of the biggest names on this year’s lineup. It’s always worth seeing U.S. Girls, but it helps that Remy put out a fantastic record this year, Scratch It, a “soulful look inward,” that is “as partial to down-home blues rock as it is psychedelic experimentation.”

Hand Habits

It’s a big year for Meg Duffy, who performs as Hand Habits. Their LP, released this summer, Blue Reminder, is a stunning, powerful album that comes during a dire time when trans lives are under threat by our government. Duffy focuses on spotlighting the joy in being true to yourself and the loving, tender side of trans and queer relationships. Duffy never disappoints, so catching them is a good bet for a great show.

Isabella Lovestory

You might know Isabella Lovestory as the abacus girl from the viral Uffie photo or as one of the year’s standout pop acts. The Honduran Montreal-based “neoperreo” star received acclaim for her self-released sophomore album Vanity, which came out in June. She’s been selling out shows while on tour so if you have the chance to catch her at POP, don’t miss out!

Chanel Beads

I’ve seen Chanel Beads, the project led by Shane Lavers, a handful of times now; I could easily see them play a hundred more. The trio’s combination of tracks with strings is breathtaking, and Lavers’ vocals combined with his musical and romantic partner Maya McGrory’s make for a heavenly combination. The experimental act has become one of the most-talked-about acts in New York City, leading to Lorde inviting Chanel Beads to open her current tour.

Ribbon Skirt

Montreal-based Anishinaabe post-punk duo Ribbon Skirt (formerly Love Language) rose to the ranks of notable indie newcomers with their debut album, Bite Down, which was shortlisted for the 2025 Polaris Music Prize. Given the big year they’ve had, it would be a big mistake not to catch Ribbon Skirt in their hometown if you haven’t had the chance to see them yet.

Check out the full schedule for POP Montréal here and look out for our coverage of the festival.

9 Must-See Acts at This Year’s POP Montréal

The five-day citywide festival returns today, September 24, with an eclectic mix of acts, from Canadian legend U.S. Girls to emerging acts like Chanel Beads and Ribbon Skirt.