Preview - M For Montreal '08

Unless you've been living in a musical black hole for the past few years you couldn't have failed to notice the plethora of Canadian bands making waves both critically and commercially. From Arcade Fire to Broken Social Scene via Feist and Black Mountain, this frozen expanse of North America has brought us some of the most intriguing music produced this decade. Now in its third year, M For Montreal is on a mission to show the world that this flush of success was more than a passing fad and in particular that the capital of Quebec produces some of the best music Canada has to offer.

The brainchild of Martin Elbourne, who just so happens to book the main stages at Glastonbury and was one of the main catalysts for the creation of The Great Escape, M For Montreal began in 2006 as a way to promote bands from Montreal to festival bookers in Europe. In the past the industry showcase has brought to their attention acts such as The Besnard Lakes, Land Of Talk, Patrick Watson, Malajube and many more. Acts that have then gone on to receive critical acclaim for their recorded output while touring throughout Europe.

In 2008 the event expands to three days for the first time and Gigwise will be there to report back with our hottest tips on the bands to look out for when they hit our shores.

Before we jet off to the below freezing temperatures we've picked out our favourite five acts based on some extensive on line research and listening.

Winter Gloves [LISTEN]

They took the place of Tokyo Police Club on cool as **** Canadian label Paper Bag and recently released their debut album 'About A Girl' to great critical acclaim in their homeland.

Duchess Says [LISTEN]

Fast and loose no wave, new wave punk four piece from Montreal who on their track 'Ccut Up' some how manage to mass up Crystal Castles with DFA 1979.

The National Parcs [LISTEN]

If ever a band was impossible to pigeon hole despite several listens it would be The National Parcs – three guys who meld hip hop, electro, bluegrass and more into a heady mix, Intriguing.

Woodhands [LISTEN]

They say they want to “make you cry while you're having sex” and any band with that kind of master plan sounds good to us. It helps that their track 'Dancer' is also brilliant too.

Sweet Thing [LISTEN]

OK, so they may not be for the cool kids amongst us but there is no doubt that Sweet Thing make brilliantly infectious indie-pop that is made for the radio.

Obviously we're sure that we'll return bigging up all the bands that we didn't mention!