MUTEK in Montreal

Every year since 2000, Montreal hosts MUTEK, an international festival of "digital creativity and electronic music," easily the most important and increasingly popular gathering of electronic acts in these parts. Usually held at the tail end of May, performances and artists are generally experimental, more likely to be on the fringe of cult status than radio-friendly household names.

MUTEK at Piknic
The bulk of MUTEK performances are held indoors, but for some outdoor electronic inspiration, Piknic Electronik hosts an annual MUTEK weekend with DJ sessions on the Saturday and Sunday portions of the electronic arts fest.

MUTEK 2009 Highlights: May 27 to May 31st
In addition to collaborators Jaki Liebezeit and Burnt Friedman, a Piknic Electronik appearance by Ricardo Villalobos, and electro improv by Modern Deep Left Quartet, MUTEK highlights are many. And I suspect tickets for Nocturne 2 -- Appleblim's Canadian debut, Deadbeat pairing up with Paul St. Hilaire, and Moderat featuring audiovisuals by Pfadfinderei -- and Nocturne 4 -- Mathew Johnson in tandem with Dandy Jack followed by Detroit's Carl Craig -- are going to sell like hot cakes, so just in case, don't wait till the last minute to book.

Visit the Mutek festival website for more information and the full lineup.