Manitoba and Saskatchewan Fire Up the Prairie BBQ at Pop Montreal

Montreal will get a little taste of the prairies this fall when Manitoba Music teams up with SaskMusic to present The Prairie BBQ at Pop Montreal. The September 21 showcase at Parc de la Petite-Italie will feature performances by Manitoba bands Les Jupes and Mahogany Frog along with Saskatchewan’s Rah Rah and Caves. This will be Manitoba Music’s first trip to the music festival.

All of the showcasing bands have been building a buzz on the international scene. Fresh from a summer tour of the U.K. and Germany, indie rock outfit Les Jupes’ acclaimed debut, Modern Myths, has already hit stores in Netherlands, Germany, U.K., Belgium, and Luxembourg. Instrumental electronic rock act Mahogany Frog is gearing up for the September 28 release of its fifth recording, SENNA, on New York’s MoonJune Records, kicking off a Canadian tour on September 6.

Western Canadian Music Award-nominated roots quartet Oh My Darling, recent Brandon transplant Shotgun Jimmie, and acts from Manitoba-based labels Balanced Records (former Manitoban DJ Brace) and Head In The Sand (Vancouver's Rococode) will also hit the Pop Montreal stages this year. 

Now in its 10th year, Pop Montreal is a key event that attracts top music industry names from across the country. The Montreal market is vital to the continuing development and career advancement of Manitoba artists and music companies. Manitoba Music will return to the La belle ville for another market development event at M for Montreal in November, with details to be announced.

Over the years, Manitoba Music has presented successful showcases at South by Southwest, Musexpo, North by Northeast, International Folk Alliance, Canadian Music Week, and more. The Montreal showcase is an initiative of Manitoba Music’s Market Development Program, which is funded by the Government of Canada and Province of Manitoba through the Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement. This event is also supported by Manitoba Film & Music.

Manitoba artists were able to access financial support for their showcases at Pop Montreal through the Market Access Program, a program jointly funded by Manitoba Music and Manitoba Film & Music, which supports Manitoba artists and music industry professionals in professional development, and in attending and enhancing their presence at professionally organized music industry conferences and showcases.