The first wave of musical talent for 2018 is here! This year, the festival will be running from September 26th to 30th and as always, we believe in prioritizing diversity and creativity when selecting the inspiring line-up of local and international artists.

Want to know more about the line-up? The creative team provides quick insight on some of the bands playing this year's festival below...

SOPHIE
PC music affiliate, SOPHIE makes thought provoking, layered and challenging electronic pop.

Wanda Jackson
The Queen of rockabilly and pioneer of rock and roll, Jackson was a contemporary of Elvis.

Bill Callahan
Indie icon formerly known as Smog. writes lofi, songwriting gems, on Drag City label.

Venetian Snares x Daniel Lanois
Former U2 producer and cancon icon (Lanois) meets avant garde electronic maverick (Venetian Snares).

Wolf Parade
Indie rock royalty are back to where it all began.

Kilo Kish
American art pop R&B singer and Los Angeles supergroup The Internet collaborator.

Lydia Képinski
Care free millenial pop française

Electric Six
Garagey disco punk band from the motor city.

Homeshake
Montreal based indie sweethearts, make lazy Sunday jams.

U.S. Girls
Experimental noisy pop by one of world’s best songwriters.

Lena Platonos
The pioneer of Greek electronic music from the 80s has gained new found acclaim after a re-release on the label Dark Entries.

King Khan & The Shrines
King Khan, the wild garage rock front man originally from Montreal and now based in Berlin, fronts the Shrines who are like James Brown meets 13th floor Elevators.

Bush Tetras
Legendary No Wave act from New York City who redefined punk, art and experimental music.

Molly Nilsson
Exhilarating & moody dance pop from the Queen of Sweden.

Socalled
Montreal multidisciplinary producer, musician, makes his porn genre debut as a filmmaker 10 years after his band did the live soundtrack to the 70s gay porn Cruisin' 57 at Cinema L'amour.

Leif Vollebekk
Haunting and romantic Canadian songwriter.

JPEGMAFIA
The most original new rapper in America right now.

No Joy
Montreal shoegaze juggernaut with heavy riffage.

Corridor
Hip and heavy franco indie rock band.

The Weather Station
The best kind of Canadian folk à la Joni Mitchell.

Equiknoxx
Left field Jamaican dancehall collective.

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
Evocative & brilliant writer/storyteller singer/songwriter.

Clairmont The Second
Next big hip hop act coming out of the 6ix.

Nap Eyes
Chilled out and endearing indie rock band originally from Halifax now in Montreal (Velvet Underground meets Yo La Tengo).

Sista Majesty
Franco Caribbean dancehall queen from Martinique.

Dounia
19 year old Moroccan American R&B singer and social media activist and star to be.

Bbymutha
Uncensored bad ass rap mom role model.

Koriass
Progressive rapper preaching the truth from St Eustache to Montreal-Nord.

Elisapie
Inuk pop star, film maker and activist.

Bodega
Named NYC's most exciting new band after dominating the blogosphere post SXSW.

The Charlatans UK
The chart topping British pop band.

Blitzen Trapper
Experimental alt country rock band signed to Sub Pop.

Vile Creature
Complex and confrontational Doom metal duo from Hamilton.

Thus Owls
Explorative Swedish-Canadian group.

Jaunt
Deemed "Ontario's Rising Pop Renegades" by Exclaim!

Saint Sister
A month after forming they were asked to perform on TG4 (Irish national TV), and opened for Arcade Fire’s Will Butler.

Mauno
They bring to mind the likes of Grizzly Bear, Local Natives and Real Estate with their charming, intricate guitar lines.

Locate S,1
Of Montreal tour mate and collaborator.

Listen to POP Montreal's First Wave Mixtape here

See the complete list of artists here

For a limited time only until May 28th, the POP Montreal Discovery Pass is on sale for $100 + tx (regular $300 + tx). Pass includes skip the line access to the whole festival and more! Get it while you can. Individual tickets will be on sale May 28th.