Who would have believed it 25 years ago? Pop Montréal, the quintessential DIY festival of its time, created with whatever resources were available, would become such an institution. Every year since 2001, the festival led by Dan Seligman has been the number one music event of the Montreal fall season. On the eve of the festival, its artistic director and founder reflects on the spirit that drives him 25 years after embarking on this thrilling adventure.
PAN M 360: 25 years is a special moment. You know, it goes so fast. Whe it started, I was in the middle of my caer. In my early 40s, and now I’m 68!
Dan Seligman: Well, I also turned 52. I mean 25 years is very significant. It’s like it’s a cool mile milestone. Like when you think about it, it’s a nice and interesting way to look back at what you’ve accomplished . Where you are, where you’re going… You know, I think there’s a lot to be proud of. We’ve obviously had some amazing shows over the years and, as a programmer, there’s definitely highlights, some amazing shows. We’ve been part of Montreal music history.
But beyond all that I think that we’ve become more organized, more professional. I think we found a nice balance in terms of the number of artists and venues. I think we’ve improved over the years, but at the same time I think we’ve kept that like spirit, the indie spirit, you know kind of DIY nature of the festival.
I think that’s pretty much a great accomplishment and something to be proud of and you know Just the way that we’ve contributed to the underground scene in much. Yeah, you remain true to your values though. Yeah, this is what we all have to do. This is not always easy, not compromise here and there, follow your vision and try to add something to the Montreal culture. It is an amazing city and there’s so much going on. Nice to be part of that and to contribute. And so happy to be here all my life.
PAN M 360: Great achievement, indeed. Can you name-drop some highlights of the 25 years? Of course you can’t mention all of them but…
Dan Seligman: Well, you know, putting on a show for Patti Smith. Like yeah, I remember having her at the festival and driving her around. And she was very nice , very smart. When she came she was totally engaged, she wanted to be part of the festival. She was like I’m gonna go to shows I’m gonna really be part of this festival. I think that was inspiring just to see an artist of her stature. That was an amazing thing.
Also I think doing the first Chilly Gonzales show, I think that was like an important moment for his career. He’s from here originally, but he went to Berlin and then Paris and you know, and then he came back on that first solo piano. Well, he came back for a while. Yeah, he had a house more recently, he ended up selling it. I think he’s actually in Cologne.
PAN M 360: So we’re ready for the next Köln Concert !
Dan Seligman: You know, as it happened for Keith Jarrett for his famous Köln Concert, we got him the wrong piano and he was all pissed off, and then he came up with this story, so we found his childhood piano in his parents basement and brought it and it ended up being such a huge part of the show and I think it won the hearts of the the Quebec audience in a way like it was such a great show. If we had only recorded that it could have been like one Gonzales Montreal or whatever, you know, that would be a good idea but you know… at least I have the memory of it.
Among my best picks, Sister Nancy has put on some incredible shows like her first one at Club Lambi. The first time we ever brought her was such a seminal performance. because they set up the DJ booth by the back of the room at the soundboard and so she was just freestyling toasting from the back of the room.
So It felt like you were in Jamaica, you know, and it’s and the way these Jamaican DJs; DJs are actually the singers and rappers, they kind of just go like when you play the sound like the sound system rhythm you kind of just like riff on it. And so it’s like this one long kind of ongoing Freestyle and it’s so amazing. I know it was such an amazing moment. That Montreal show kind of helped shine a spotlight on that and helped kind of like revive her career and then that led to like her regaining her publishing and kind of quitting her day job, and now she’s kind of like touring internationally all over there around the world and selling lots of tickets and that’s really cool.
PAN M 360 : And then of course, we remember all the Montreal sound of the zeroties featured at Pop MTL – Arcade Fire, Patrick Watson, The Dears, Stars, Wolf Parade and Spencer Krug projects, just to name those great artists.
Dan Seligman: And also now, we can mention Angine de Poitrine! The KEXP programmer saw them for a first time at Pop Montreal, last year on the Ubisoft roof, after what they were invited to perform and the video became viral
PAN M 360: Well, thanks a lot for all those years programming amazing music !
Dan Seligman: My pleasure, so we’ll see you around the festival!
PAN M 360: Every night !
Photo:Pop MTL 2025 team
