Clues and Micachu Reveal Themselves at Pop Montreal

With more than 400 acts performing over five days, the buzz surrounding certain Pop Montreal bands is as subtle as the sound of the thousands of bicycles transporting festival-goers from one venue to the next. But once in awhile, the buzz leads to something special. Such was the case last night at the intimate Cabaret club.

Opening band Micachu and the Shapes, on legendary UK label Rough Trade, warmed the crowd up with their experimental indie pop tunes and jolly demeanour. Grinning and thanking the audience, baby-faced 22-year-old frontwoman Mica Levi -- who used to DJ and MC throughout London's garage scene -- showed us what all the hype surrounding her Matthew Herbert-produced album is about.

Then, rising Montreal outfit Clues gave a packed house of industry insiders a glimmer of this city's future sound. Fronted by the confident falsetto of Alden Penner (formerly of eccentric indie act Unicorns) and also led by Brendan Reed, who used to drum in Arcade Fire and Think About Life, these five indie kids channeled Led Zeppelin's guitar grooves, Vampire Weekend's poppy song structure and Sunset Rubdown's angular vocals and unpredictable soundscapes.

Just two years after their very first live show, which actually took place at Pop Montreal 2007, Clues have honed their chemistry and sharpened their sound. Those who missed the band live should consider, ahem, searching around for their self-titled debut which their hip hometown imprint Constellation Records released earlier this year.