M For Montreal Day 4 | Alix Fernz, and Pelada

par Lyle Hendriks

The last night of the M for Montreal festival was studded with incredible acts, providing the perfect conclusion to a few unforgettable days of acts across Mile End, Plateau, and beyond. Here are two of my favourite shows from the final evening of 2023’s M for Montreal festival.

Alix Fernz Brazen Bravado


Oozing sex and a distinctly devil-may-care, diva persona, Alix Fernz was a pleasure to watch Saturday night at Ausgang Plaza. Gritty, angular punk rock married beautifully with Fernz’s irreverent, borderline bratty vocals, which feel almost otherworldly once they’ve been filtered through his eclectic circuit board of synths and effects laid out on the table in front of them. Despite Fernz’s intense, post-punk-driven direction, there was a groove and even a sweetness that was so apparent from the outset. He obviously doesn’t take himself too seriously, which is a good thing when it comes to his atypical brand of brazen bravado. Fernz’s band was also excellent, featuring powerful, driving drums, rock-steady bass, and a fantastic blend of synth and guitar to keep us guessing. Fernz’s set was all meat, no filler, and an absolute blast to watch.

Pelada – D&B From the Future

Montreal duo Pelada has become known for a number of things over the years, including their live performances. While I was initially disappointed to hear that the pair wouldn’t be busting out any live vocals for their Saturday night set at Fairmount Theatre, this feeling didn’t last long. Delivering a crunchy, gravelly, futuristic set of D&B, house, and strange, post-techno, Pelada invigorated. Thumping bass. Screeching synths. Dirty vocal samples. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to do something mildly illegal in a dirty club bathroom, or perhaps do triple the limit on a nighttime city street. It was a pleasure to see this side of Pelada’s sonic sensibilities, and only makes me more intrigued to see what the duo might do next.

Tout le contenu 360

Caroline Savoie succombe à ses plaisirs coupables

Caroline Savoie succombe à ses plaisirs coupables

Louise Forestier – Vieille corneille

Louise Forestier – Vieille corneille

Sight + Sound | Fili Gibbons et ses fées

Sight + Sound | Fili Gibbons et ses fées

Sight + Sound | Un rituel de la pluie sous anticipation 

Sight + Sound | Un rituel de la pluie sous anticipation 

Quatuor Mivos : trois fois Reich à Bourgie

Quatuor Mivos : trois fois Reich à Bourgie

Caroline Savoie – Rom-Com 

Caroline Savoie – Rom-Com 

Éléonore Lagacé et  Brûlez-moi vive: pop de feu

Éléonore Lagacé et Brûlez-moi vive: pop de feu

Pro Musica | Le pianiste prodige Jaeden Izik-Dzurko : « sérieux », « introverti » et… extrêmement raffiné

Pro Musica | Le pianiste prodige Jaeden Izik-Dzurko : « sérieux », « introverti » et… extrêmement raffiné

Boubé – Voyager

Boubé – Voyager

Une invitation au voyage signée Boubé

Une invitation au voyage signée Boubé

Ingrid Saint-Pierre – Cinq chansons au piano droit

Ingrid Saint-Pierre – Cinq chansons au piano droit

SAT | Le Couleur change de spectre mais d’abord…

SAT | Le Couleur change de spectre mais d’abord…

Whispering Worlds – Cosmic Cliffs

Whispering Worlds – Cosmic Cliffs

ContaQt/Yaz Lancaster/Evan Ziporyn – ConneQt IV

ContaQt/Yaz Lancaster/Evan Ziporyn – ConneQt IV

Nick Storring – Mirante

Nick Storring – Mirante

Los Pirañas – Una Oportunidad Más de Triunfar en la Vida

Los Pirañas – Una Oportunidad Más de Triunfar en la Vida

Ariane Brisson/Philip Chiu – Prokofiev: sonates pour flûte et piano

Ariane Brisson/Philip Chiu – Prokofiev: sonates pour flûte et piano

Classic Rock… Hard Rock… Bob Rock… The Damn Truth!

Classic Rock… Hard Rock… Bob Rock… The Damn Truth!

Dicko Fils : sur La route de l’engagement et de la modernité du peuple peul

Dicko Fils : sur La route de l’engagement et de la modernité du peuple peul

Ana Krstajić et Joey Reda – Confluence

Ana Krstajić et Joey Reda – Confluence

CC Duo/collectif9 – Re/String

CC Duo/collectif9 – Re/String

Jan Lisiecki – Preludes

Jan Lisiecki – Preludes

Ariane Roy – Dogue

Ariane Roy – Dogue

Major.Moran – Bunker à ciel ouvert

Major.Moran – Bunker à ciel ouvert

Inscrivez-vous à l'infolettre