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Montréal Jazz Festival Announces Académie Event Program

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The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Rio Tinto, is continuing its educational and community mission with the return of the Académie. The first edition of this event series was so successful that it’s coming back this year with twice as many activities! Through 10 or so events, nearly all free of charge, this special space for sharing, held alongside the Festival, offers a unique meeting point for up-and-coming musicians and seasoned artists, furthering music practice through knowledge sharing between artists and the Montréal community. And there’s another new feature this year: the event will benefit from the expertise of an artist-in-residence, none other than Nate Smith, renowned American drummer, producer and singer-songwriter. 

Académie: A platform for creative sharing

This year’s Académie will involve two activity series: Espace Discussions (discussion space), where intimate conversations will take place with guest artists; and Espace Créatif (creative space), which will feature interactive masterclasses on the art of making music, which attendees will be invited to contribute to. Save the dates: all free activities will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis! 

Espace Discussion

Discussion with Wynton Marsalis
with Alexa Tarantino and Chris Lewis
June 26, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Théâtre Jean-Duceppe (Place des Arts)
Paid activity
Meet talented American trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis, the first jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music, in conversation with saxophonists Alexa Tarantino and Chris Lewis.  Tickets go on sale May 22 at 10:00 a.m. 

Discussion with Branford Marsalis
with Mark Ruffin
June 30, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
Saxophonist, composer and bandleader Branford Marsalis, formerly the frontman of the Tonight Show Band, will take part in a conversation moderated by Mark Ruffin, radio host, music journalist, producer and author.

Discussion with Katherine McVicker 
Anyone Can Book a Gig
July 1, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
Take a deep dive into the rich professional world of agent Katherine McVicker, author of the book Anyone Can Book a Gig: A Performer’s Guide to Successful Touring and leading figure in the touring world for three decades, who now works with some 40 renowned contemporary jazz musicians through her talent and booking agency Music Works International.

Discussion with Patricia Pascal, Tao Ming-Lau & Caroline Fontanieu
Women in Music
July 2, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
An in-depth reflection on the place women hold in the music industry, featuring some of its most vibrant participants: Caroline Fontanieu, ECM marketing director; Patricia Pascal, producer and director of the emerging artists program at Tomorrow’s Warriors; and Tao Ming-Lau, agent with Paquin. The discussion, moderated by Magali Ould, general manager of Secret City Records, is presented in collaboration with nonprofit organization Women in Music Canada.

Discussion with Camille Thurman
July 4, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
Saxophonist, singer and composer, Camille Thurman talks in depth with Caroline Fontanieu, ECM marketing director.

Espace Créatif

Workshop with Nate Smith
Drums masterclass
July 1, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
Nate Smith offers a masterclass on drumming, which will reveal more about his approach to the instrument.

Workshop with Derrick Hodge
Composition and creativity
July 2, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Cinquième Salle (Place des Arts)
Free!
Composer, bassist and bandleader Derrick Hodge joins the Académie to lead a discussion on music creation, as well as an interactive music composition workshop.

Find the full Académie program here!

The 45th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal will take place from June 26 to July 5, 2025 in the Quartier des Spectacles. More info here.

Festivals

FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – Kx5 and SG Lewis

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FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver - July 17

The FIFA Fan Festival™ shifted into concert mode on July 17 as Vancouver welcomed one of the festival’s Signature Concert nights. After weeks of blending live music with FIFA World Cup action, Friday’s schedule focused entirely on the evening lineup, giving fans a chance to enjoy a full night of electronic music at the amphitheatre.

The gates opened at 5 p.m., with Shades of Day kicking things odd. Vancouver artist Grayson Repp followed at 6:30 p.m. Repp did exactly what an opening act should do, warming up the growing crowd and setting the tone for the night. As more fans poured into the festival grounds, the atmosphere steadily built toward the evening’s headline performance.

SG Lewis started at 7:30 p.m., bringing his signature mix of house, disco, and electronic pop. His smooth production and dance-friendly set kept the energy climbing, with the audience fully embracing the chance to dance in the new amphitheatre. By the end of his performance, the venue had transformed into a massive outdoor dance floor.

The night’s main attraction arrived at 9 p.m. as Kx5 took over the stage. The collaboration between Deadmau5 and Kaskade has become one of the biggest names in electronic music, and their performance lived up to the anticipation. Massive visuals, pyrotechnics, synchronized lighting, and booming production turned the FIFA Fan Festival into a festival within a festival. Fans packed the amphitheatre from the floor to the lawn, singing along when vocals appeared and raising their hands as the bass echoed across the PNE.

Unlike many of the FIFA Fan Festival days that balanced football broadcasts with music throughout the afternoon, July 17 belonged entirely to the concert experience. From Grayson Repp‘s early set to SG Lewis‘ polished performance and Kx5‘s high-powered finale, the Signature Concert delivered one of the biggest musical highlights of the Vancouver Fan Festival.

Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

Kx5

SG LEWIS

GRAYSON REPP

All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer

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Festivals

Phillips Backyard Music Festival – Day 3 Recap & Photos

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PhillipsBackyard_12_07_2026_AngineDePoitrine_KelliRP-4328-LQ

The final day of Phillips Backyard Music Festival brought another full afternoon and evening of music, giving fans one last chance to enjoy one of British Columbia’s best summer festivals. After two successful days, the crowds returned in large numbers, and there was little sign that anyone was running out of energy.

Darrian Gerard opened the Main Stage, welcoming early arrivals with an upbeat performance that got the final day started on the right foot. Shortly afterward, Amulet began the Music BC Stage programming before Fake Shark took over the Main Stage. The Vancouver rock band got the audience moving quickly, as usual. Their fast-paced set injected fresh energy into the afternoon and produced one of the liveliest crowds of the day.

The Music BC Stage remained busy with performances from Infidelity, the highly anticipated Angine de Poitrine, Chopping Spree, and Runner. One of the strengths of Phillips Backyard has always been its commitment to showcasing artists from British Columbia alongside nationally recognized names, and Sunday’s schedule reflected that balance well. Fans who wandered between stages were rewarded with several impressive discoveries throughout the afternoon.

Wolf Parade returned to Victoria with a performance that reminded everyone why the band continues to hold such an important place in Canadian indie rock. Their songs translated well to the outdoor setting, and longtime fans sang along throughout the set. The band sounded tight, confident, and completely in control, making their performance one of the standout moments before the headliner.

Modest Mouse closed the festival with exactly the kind of performance many fans had been waiting all weekend to see. Their set mixed well-known favourites with deeper cuts, keeping longtime listeners happy while giving newer fans a chance to experience one of indie rock’s defining live acts. The band’s sound filled the festival grounds, and the audience stayed engaged until the final notes.

As the last songs ended, it was clear that Phillips Backyard had delivered another successful edition. The festival once again struck the right balance between established touring artists and homegrown talent, giving both equal opportunities to connect with the audience. Combined with excellent weather, smooth organization, quality food and drinks, and a relaxed setting that encouraged people to stay all day, the festival closed its 2026 edition on a high note.

Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery! You can find our recap and photos of Day 1 here and Day 2 here.

MODEST MOUSE

WOLF PARADE

RUNNER

CHOPPING SPREE

ANGINE DE POITRINE

INFIDELITY

FAKE SHARK

AMULET

DARRIAN GERARD

FESTIVAL

All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell

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