Additional Information
Here we are again, spending spring, summer and autumn at Piknic Electronik! Given the immensity of the 5-month program at Parc Jean-Drapeau, Alain Brunet suggested to Mathieu Constance, in charge of programming at Piknic, that we interview him on a monthly basis. The aim will be to identify and comment on his main choices for May, June, July, August, September and October. Let’s start at the beginning: May!
PAN M 360: Let’s start with this weekend’s opening. Just how many? And how do you prepare for such an opening? Infrastructure, reception etc.?
Mathieu Constance: 23rd edition! It’s incredible when you think about it. We’ve been working on this for a while now, pre-prodding and editing, and we can’t wait to welcome festival-goers back to Parc Jean-Drapeau!
PAN M 360: Are you the only one to program the entire season, or how does it work?
Mathieu Constance: Our prog team has 3 members now – and it’s split between local and international prog mostly. But we discuss all the artists we want to present together.
PAN M 360: In terms of programming, can we talk about an angle of attack this year? A favorite genre or sub-genre? A major trend? A recurring theme?
Mathieu Constance: We try not to restrict ourselves too much when we start out. Of course, we want to put forward emerging sounds as much as possible and ensure diversity on all our lineups. This year, we’ve got a lot of first-time Montreal performers on the lineup, and we’re particularly proud of that!
PAN M 360: We’ll come back to this in a little more detail each month, but can you name and briefly present your top 5 catches this year?
Mathieu Constance: I wouldn’t say there are any bests per se, but I’m particularly looking forward to Nico de Andrea’s first headline, the return of Sally C, Bambii, Notion’s closing and… our surprise artist on September 7.
PAN M 360: For the first weekend, you’ve programmed 8 artists on May 18 and 6 on May 19, which is a real kick-off. How did you plan the progression of the two stages?
Mathieu Constance: As far as I’m concerned, this first weekend has been a great success, with a wide range of styles, opening with the melodic house / afro house of STRYV, Chloé and Tommy on the mainstage. On the 2nd stage, Collection Disques Durs presents a line-up with plenty of tempo and energy, leaving something for everyone.
On Monday, we present techno legend Enrico Sangiuliano, with local artist BitterCaress, who needs no introduction at this stage. And Stage 2, presented by Club Sagacité, welcomes Rinse FM resident Arthi.
PAN M 360: Who are the key artists this weekend? Describe and comment on your choice!
Mathieu Constance:
STRYV – composer of Move with Adam Port, which has garnered over 500 million streams, yes 500 MILLION. It’s a track that dictates the summer of 2025, and a first performance in Montreal!
Lobsta B – those of you who were there in 2023 know that it’s going to be fun, high energy and a party on our new 2nd stage.
BitterCaress – Always a highlight, she’ll set the perfect mood for one of techno’s greats.
Arthi – A flavour of UKG, dancehall and more will be another fine debut for a UK artist who’s starting to make a name for herself!
PAN M 360: On May 25, Fred Everything performs a marathon on the Banque National stage! But what else? Where did this idea come from?
Mathieu Constance: Fred is a fixture on the Montreal scene, celebrating his 30th anniversary as a DJ, and the 20th of his label, Lazy Days Recordings. We wanted to mark the occasion with something different and special! A 5-hour marathon set is sure to be full of surprises.
PAN M 360: Another must on the 25th?
Mathieu Constance: Boys Noize delivered an unforgettable performance, that’s for sure. This is his 2nd appearance with us, and an artist we’ve been trying to get back since the second he stepped off the stage in 2022.
PAN M 360: We’ll talk again in the week of the 26th for the month of June! The questionnaire will be shorter then. :))
