Established in 2009, the Montreal Ska Festival is an initiative of the Montreal Ska Society, a nonprofit organization. It is dedicated to shed a spotlight on and recognize Quebecois and Canadian ska music and culture. Over the years, the Montreal Ska Festival has become a keenly anticipated event by scene followers and broader public alike. Now celebrating its 10 year anniversary, the festival is a testimony to Montreal’s longstanding tradition and love of ska music. Since its inception, the festival has featured hundreds of artists from all over the world, a third of which originate from “La Belle Province” of Québec.
This year’s programming
Montreal renowned venues Café Campus and Club Soda will once again be host to 3 nights of ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub and 2 tone music with nightly after-parties presented by Beau’s All-Natural Brewery at Ye Olde Orchard – Plateau.
Thursday November 22nd sees long-time festival friends DANNY REBEL & THE KGB leading the opening night at Café Campus! The most soulful night of the festival also welcomes Montreal’s THE HANGERS and FOOLISH as well as Peterborough’s DUB TRINITY!! Don’t forget to go to the free after-party at Ye Olde Orchard – Plateau two blocks away where the live music continues with BEAUTIFUL SABOTAGE’s reggae vibes until closing time!
On Friday November 23rd, Montreal ska legends, THE PLANET SMASHERS, will once again bring life to the party at Quartier des spectacles’ Club Soda. With performers hailing from all parts Canada, the evening welcomes Vancouver folk-punk band THE DREADNOUGHTS, Jonquière French punk-rock band CRASH TON ROCK and Ottawa trad-ska band THE SENTRIES for an evening of eclectic fun! The party once again continues with ska classics from RUB-A-DUB REBELS until the wee hours of the morning at Ye Olde Orchard – Plateau!
For its final evening on Saturday November 24th, the Montreal Ska Festival heads back to Café Campus to welcome northern reggae band THE BEATDOWN who will headline THE evening followed by Boston’s stars THE VOID UNION, Montreal’s celtic punk rock THE PEELERS and Toronto’s own THE CLASSY WRECKS. Once again, Ye Olde Orchard – Plateau will host the festival’s last evening after-party where live ska-jazz music will continue until the break of dawn with SOUND ONE!
And on Sunday November 25, the gang will host its annual Hangover Breakfast brunch at Ye Olde Orchard – Plateau with live music from none other than legendary MITCH GIRIO & FRIENDS.
The Backstage 