Your Diss of Liss Missed

I disagree. First, after taking a look at the Liss article it is obvious that you've overexagerate her apparent contempt for the festival. You read it with the blind-anger and vainty of someone defending a friend's amateur pop show. As you say, "It's exploded in popularity in a few short years, introducing local musicians to the world and world music to the locals..." It is undeniable that the festival has grown likely beyond anyone's initial expectation, and as such it's not the same animal it once was. "[Y]et Pop remains accessible to both small acts and cash-strapped music fans..." yes it does, it provides a profoundly accessible platform for a unique "celebration of music and art." But it's not perfect. We can't ignore the growth that the festival has been exposed to and pretend it is still ideal.

As a fan, one of those that all you critics are debating about as if you know our experience precisely, I can confidently say that I know many people that have found it increasingly hard to see the shows they want to see at Pop Montreal. But that is just a testament to how necessary this project is; people want to see, people are clamouring to see it.

So don't take it out on Liss for writing an honest review though it may not idealize an awesome festival.