BEN L'ONCLE SOUL: RIO TINTO ALCAN OPENING EVENT
He was an instant favourite at the 2010 FrancoFolies and the 2011 MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS Festival. He was named best new live performer and nominated as best newcomer by France's Victoires de la musique. And we're betting he's about to become a musical heartthrob at the Festival as well! French sensation Ben l'Oncle Soul ploughs funky grooves through every field of music, whether revisiting and recasting the great '60s Motown classics and contemporary pop rock hits—witness his staggering R&B remake of “Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes—or polishing up his very own soul gems. Calling all party animals and fans of irresistibly groovy live music: here's the must-dance event of the summer! Saturday, June 25.
MISTEUR VALAIRE: The Festival regularly programs a concert event spotlighting local groups. And now, after Patrick Watson, Beasts of Bourbon and Champion & his G-Strings, it's time for Misteur Valaire! It's as though these five flipped-out Sherbrookers had invented a kaleidoscopic new genre, at the crossroads of electronica, hip hop, jazz and pop-rock... With brass, percussion, turntables and sequencers, big, bouncing beats and samples, their sound is wildly danceable and leaves spectators feeling strangely euphoric! No wonder these born performers scooped up the award for Show of the Year at the GAMIQ 2010 (Quebec's alternative music awards gala) for concerts powered by their latest album, Golden Bombay-downloadable from their website, as were its two predecessors. A musical drug that is dangerously addictive! Tuesday, June 28.
THE B-52S: TD GRAND CLOSING EVENT IN COLLABORATION WITH XM CANADA
Over close to 30 years of funky existence, they've sold more than 20 million albums to wigged-out fans and laced the culture with plenty of hits including global smashes “Rock Lobster," “Planet Claire" and “Love Shack." They've stamped their musical signature, idiosyncratic style and beehive hairdos in every corner of alternative pop-rock, from post-punk to dance, from garage rock to new wave. They've got a reputation as the world's greatest party band. Wait a minute-they ARE the world's greatest party band! Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for the legendary B-52s! Monday, July 4.
Complete programming for free outdoor concerts and activities at the 32nd edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal will be announced this coming June 7. The 32nd edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal will run from June 25 to July 4.
PREVIOUSLY-ANNOUNCED TALENT: Some of this year's previously announced headliners include Tony Bennett, k.d. lang, Diana Krall, Sade, John Legend, Nikki Yanofsky, Robert Plant, Brad Mehldau, Dianne Reeves, Pink Martini, Madeleine Peyroux, Chick Corea, Marianne Faithfull, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Holly Cole, just to name a few, has already been announced for this year's 32nd edition.
For a compete listing of talent and a schedule of concerts, visit www.montrealjazzfest.com.
