The Taverne Tour brings big rock to small Montreal bars this week

Nothing beats the experience of seeing a live band in a small, intimate venue, which makes the Taverne Tour so refreshing. Now in its third year, the 4-day festival, founded by the team behind Distortion Psych Fest, places local and international acts in a cluster of small barns and taverns in the Plateau, some of which are transformed into live venues exclusively for the festival. The proximity of the venues (many are literally steps from each other) means you can actually catch a number of acts each night, and the cozy confines of each room are sure to make for a thrilling live experience given the quality of the acts this year.

With a heavy focus on garage and psych, there is also a smattering of folk, dance-pop and general genre-pushing acts that make for an exciting lineup. Below we’ve highlighted a few shows from this week’s programming, which kicks off tonight with a free album launch by Montreal’s Galaxie at La Tulipe. The Taverne Tour runs from January 31 – February 3rd. For tickets and the complete schedule visit tavernetour.ca.

Thursday, February 1 – Spaceface at le Ministère

Memphis’ Spaceface features Jake Ingalls from The Flaming Lips leading a band that takes the psychedelic leanings of the Lips and marries it to Beatles-esque pop melodies. They’re joined on the bill by stellar psych locals Anemone and Wizaard. Get tickets here.

Friday, February 2 – A Place to Bury Strangers at L’Escogriffe

NYC noise band A Place to Bury Strangers are one of the best live bands going, literally throwing themselves and their instruments into each performance like it was their last. Throwing that incredible energy into the modestly sized L’Esco should easily make for one of the shows of the year. Locals Yoo Doo Right open. Sold out.

Friday, February 2 – Teke Teke at Pub West Shefford

Originally put together as a tribute to Japanese psych guitarist Takeshi Terauchi, this Montreal ensemble features members of Patrick Watson, Pawa Up First and Gypsy Kumbia Orchestra taking Terauchi’s influence and pushing it into the realms of shoegaze and post-rock. Locals Dunes open. Tickets here.

Saturday, February 3 – Duchess Says at le Ministère

We last caught Montreal’s manic dance punks Duchess Says at the Zombie Walk this fall, and their live show is still one of the most intense and fun spectacles around. Bring your dancing shoes for this one. Toronto’s Sigil open. Tickets here.

Saturday, February 3 – Priors at le Ministère

Montreal post-punks Priors (featuring 1/2 of the great Sonic Avenues) close out the fest with a free late night show / pizza party! No word on the provenance of the pizza yet, but at 12:30 am all pizza is good pizza. Free.

The Taverne Tour runs from January 31 – February 3rd. For tickets and the complete schedule visittavernetour.ca.