What a weird time to be going to the United States and SXSW. At time of writing, there’s a new tariff on Canadian imports, 51st state stuff is still coming up, and it is not looking good for the North American economy. Things have gotten so wild that the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) pulled out of the festival back in February. Still, we here at CJLO are sticking with it and sending a team down. 

The crowd roared as the lights dimmed and the stage filled with haze, welcoming Foster the People on stage. After a 7-year absence from the city, the band was back in Montreal’s MTelus to promote their newest album Paradise State of Mind. 

The CJLO music team is headed back to Austin, Texas, for SXSW 2024 in just a few weeks! This is my first year as Head Music Director and my first year attending the festival, so I am beyond excited about all the bands I’ll be seeing. 

High-energy Franco-American art-pop brother duo Faux Real graced the floors of Foufounes Electric with their toe shoes this week with openers Lola 1:2 and Sean Nicolas Savage.

CJLO head music director Aviva talked with local singer-songwriter Alicia Clara ahead of her performance at the Women in Music Canada showcase at this year's SXSW. Clara discusses songwriting during the pandemic, desires for the future of Montreal music, her new single "Nothing Dazzled," returning to Austin, and more.