Montreal Cultural Calendar

Colombia – QC

For over 10 years, Afrovibes has been introducing the general public to the powerful and sacred rhythms of Haitian Vodou in all their forms: Rara, Ibo, Nago, Agbadja, Djoumba, Dahomey… The group creates a world where mesmerizing drums, Haitian spiritual songs, Nigerian Afrobeat and Martinique’s bèlè coalesce naturally. Led by the percussionist Emmanuel Delly, their music transports the audience into an altered consciousness that radiates strength and sincerity. Enhanced by a versatile female vocalist and rich arrangements with soul, jazz, rock and Latin influences, the band cultivates a deep and timeless Vodou-Afrobeat sound.

Chibane skillfully navigates between North African traditions, Gypsy jazz and engaged poetry. A staunch supporter of the Hirak, he was one of the first to lend his voice to this movement fuelled by an artistic impulse that mobilized an entire people and gave visibility to their determination. Banned from performing in his home country, he chose exile over silence. Now based in Montreal, the singer-songwriter infuses his chaâbi sound with cosmopolitan rhythms beautifully accentuated by an intense and warm voice that carries both pain and hope.

“Never again will we listen to the balafon in the same way,” (Le Monde, 2025). Strikingly modern and spirited, Kanazoé Orkestra’s sound combines the balafon and drums of Mandinka and Sambla traditions with Nigerian Afrobeat and South African amapiano, along with a good dose of irresistible rap and electro groove. With electrifying energy, the ensemble—led by the charming and brilliant Seydou Diabaté, whose balafon technique is simply breathtaking—celebrates Africa and the universality of its rhythms, bringing ancient traditions to life at 200 bpm! With humanity and social awareness, Kanazoé Orkestra’s fourth album, Balabeatz (2025), speaks to the world by embracing the vibes of its time, without ever losing sight of its roots.

With powerful drumming, lively singing, and twirling skirts, Suraras do Tapajós takes us into the heart of the Amazon. But don’t be fooled! The rhythms are joyful but their lyrics are profound and serious. This first all-female carimbó group sings of life, resistance, and the memories of the peoples of Brazil’s Lower Tapajós region. As gentle as they are rebellious, the women share their deep connection to nature, pay tribute to women’s solidarity and strength, and advocate for the defence of ancestral lands and Indigenous rights. Emanating a magnetic aura, a determined spirit of rebellion, and a deeply rooted vitality, Suraras do Tapajós were unanimously selected for the WOMEX Showcase 2025.

In Cuba, music is heard everywhere, all the time: bolero, cha-cha-cha, danzón, filin, guajira, guaracha, habanera, mambo, rumba, son, timba, you name it! All those lively, exhilarating and incredibly varied rhythms are instantly recognizable and set the pace for daily life. Under the musical direction of Julio de Armas, Septeto de Montreal’s zesty brass, intense percussion and infectious good vibes make you want to dance and have fun, and just let go of everything else. True to its traditions, this group—which has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Isaac Delgado and Haila María Mompié—promises a fiery performance.

Eagerly awaited by festivalgoers, this breathtaking favourite event never fails to arouse powerful emotions. This year, Afrique en Cirque will celebrate its 40th anniversary in a spectacular fashion with a thrilling, large-scale production specially conceived for the occasion. Steeped in memories of West Africa, the company’s dizzying and athletic acrobatics, which burst forth from all directions, is set to the powerful and joyful rhythms of djembe drums, themselves guided by the magical and generous kora playing of Yamoussa Bangoura, Kalabanté’s founder and artistic director, and multidisciplinary artist who has worked with Circus Baobab, Cirque Éloize, Cirque du Soleil and Cavalia. Dance, music, contemporary circus arts, theatre and costumes are fully integrated, forming a single, cohesive aesthetic that fills the stage as a unified whole. The scenes and feats flow seamlessly into one another, creating a language that serves to share and connect cultures.

West Africa – QC

The music of this self-taught, multidisciplinary artist is free-spirited and eclectic, much like himself. His creative mashups, synthesized on his MIDI keyboard, are a distillation of his diverse and iconoclastic tastes, ranging from Latin percussion to keb rap, from R&B to UKG, from reggaeton to Afrobeat, from baile funk to electro in all its forms, and the list goes on. Clearly, his musical passions will take him anywhere! But one thing is certain: his samples will never sacrifice dance!

Zalam Kao, “through a fusion of styles, embodies a kind of vibrant musical spirit that has been part of Montreal since the 1970s, namely an uninhibited blending of cultures that form the mosaic of our music scene,” (Le Devoir, 2026). This big winner of the 19th edition of the Syli d’Or de la Musique du Monde awards doesn’t hold back as it moves through jazz, funk and soul. Sunny and unifying, Zalam Kao’s music is not only eclectic, it’s truly mind-blowing! Global music has never carried its name so well.

It’s a return to his roots for Élage Diouf, whose career in Montreal began with Nuits d’Afrique almost 30 years ago, when he was discovered thanks to his appearance on the Colocs’ album Dehors novembre, on the song “Tassez vous de d’là” (yup, the one that everyone still pretends they know the words to as they try to sing along!) Élage and the three Sissokho brothers, Sadio, Fa and Noumoucounda—whose extensive careers are studded with collaborations with illustrious artists—have known each other for years. Tonight will be all about coming together. And it’s going to be wild! Djembes, dunduns, tamas… We’re talking about some seriously talented percussionists here! But that’s not all! The kora will also have pride of place, befitting its prestige and magical qualities. Mbalax, sabar and akasso along with smiles from ear-to-ear: this reunion won’t soon be forgotten, that’s for sure!

She sings to exist and to resist. “Powered by the rock vibe of the trio from Lyon accompanying her, Sahra Halgan has but one aim: to put her country on the world map,” (RFI, 2021). With her national flag always within reach, this emblematic artist from Somaliland—a small country that declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 but is recognized by virtually no other nation—transforms each concert into an opportunity to speak out. Her raw, fiery voice breathes new life into ancient melodies that intersect with hard-hitting riffs and hypnotic drums at the crossroads of Ethio-jazz, Tuareg blues, and garage rock.

Lately, Kizaba has been going non-stop, with performances at venues around the globe in these last few months alone. The career of the man behind Future Village (Disques Nuits d’Afrique, 2025) is literally booming. Among the Révélation Radio-Canada 2024–2025, the artist embodies Afrofuturism, playing with a variety of styles, including roots, French touch, Afrobeat, folk, dubstep and Afro-pop rock, while he summons the ancestors to chart a future guided by their wisdom. A multi-instrumentalist, he creates a world where soukous guitars, explosive synths and an arsenal of percussion instruments collide to form a socially conscious, perfectly catchy and danceable Congolese electro sound that bridges ancestral memory, the golden age of SAPE and a holographic vision of a future waiting to be reinvented.

On WEDNESDAY, July 15, just before the Systema Solar concert, come enjoy the ICI MUSIQUE DJ Set hosted by CATHERINE PÉPIN!

Tailored for dancing, Systema Solar’s infectious vibe emerged from the picós of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The collective’s “dauntless, madcap spirit,” (Billboard, 2017) led to shows that are part neighbourhood festival, part alternative scene, and wholly addictive. Mixing cumbia, champeta, bullerengue, hip-hop, and electro without restraint, their performances are full-on from start to finish.

Brazil – QC

Let yourselves be immersed in the passionate traditions of Andalusia and Cuba with the sensuous jazz-infused flamenco rumba of this Montreal-based quintet. Soft guitars, nimble piano and subdued percussions all contribute to their melodies charged with the raw emotion inherent in the spirit of copla, flamenco and bolero. And then there is the warm husky voice and stage presence of Fernando “El Bancalero” Gallego, that invites the audience on a lyrical journey that is both shared and personal. This is music to be savoured!

From the arid lands of the Sahel to the shores of Essaouira, Gnawa music captivates. The thrumming guembri, the piercing krakeb, the resonant tbel and Salamate Gnawa’s jubilant spiritual chants, which blend harmoniously with blues, jazz, flamenco, zouk and rock rhythms, are beyond compare. They create a mystical and fervent conversation that is utterly fascinating. Like magic, the spirit of the ancestors rise, transforming the stage into a modern-day lila. Energetic, spellbinding and therapeutic, the experience is both intimate and communal.

His credo is simple: 100% fun, zero compromise. A regular at Montreal’s Afronick events, this lively drummer, singer and undeniably charismatic performer, knows how to connect with his audience and get the crowd grooving to the beat. His repertoire combines smooth kompa love, free-spirited reggae, invigorating Afrobeat and expressive rap-soul—all the ingredients for an outstanding festive night out!

Their voices intertwine like the fingers of clasped hands. A story of sisterhood, Somos Más was born in the intimacy of kitchens and living rooms, where personalities are revealed and bonds are cultivated. This collective made up of women from diverse cultural backgrounds—from Quebec to Latin America—sings of friendship, resilience, and the strength of “us, together.” Their vocal harmonies, warm and luminous, are set against cozy guitar, ukulele, bass and percussion arrangements. In both their original compositions and covers, Somos Más celebrates tenderness without ever sacrificing power. Because together, they transform the “us” into a horizon.

High-tension guitar riffs explode. The wall of massive, relentless percussions looms large. With a raw and totally urban vibe, this group of seasoned musicians reinterprets the cumbia inherited from their Afro-Indigenous forebearers, infusing it with a good dose of psychedelic rock. The drums, bass, guitar, congas, timbales, keyboards and other percussion instruments transform the spirit of the Andean folk dance into a multicultural trance that’s uniquely Montreal. Fiery, wild, and utterly irresistible!

On THURSDAY, July 16, just before the Fulu Miziki Kolektiv concert, come enjoy the ICI MUSIQUE DJ Set hosted by CATHERINE PÉPIN!

“Kinshasa is bursting with stars, and Fulu Miziki Kolektiv is the wildest of them all,” (RFI, 2025). Fulu Miziki, literally “music from garbage” in Lingala, has made a splash by transporting the sounds of Kinshasa’s streets into an Afro-futuristic, techno-punk trance sound stamped with Congolese rumba and coupé-décalé that they call “twerkanda.” Once discarded objects are recycled into hand-made instruments, which the percussionists beat as if their life depended on it, releasing furious energy with urgency to take action to save the planet, amplified by their raw, powerful voices rising from the depths of their souls and through DIY cyber-costumes that reflect their commitment. Zero waste, 100% impact!