Montreal’s Foufounes Electriques is already a legendary venue in its own right. The bar has changed over the years, catering to a different class, cleaning up all the graffiti and almost trying to take a bit of the punk out of the venue. That changed over the weekend for this year’s Oi Fest. Add a dash of working-class Oi street punk plus a great venue and you get a legendary weekend of memories.
Arriving later than I should have because of the STM (Montreal’s public transit system) once again, the line to get upstairs went all the way to the back of the venue and wasn’t moving very quickly. Had a bit of time to meet some people who had come all the way from New York for this fest. By the time I got in, I had missed Ultra Razzia and Over the Hill. Luckily, Ultra Razzia is a band from Montreal, formed by members of The Prowlers, who were also playing Saturday anyway.
Between bands, there was another separate room with DJs playing old school 2-tone ska and reggae and ska classics. Where I spent a lot of the weekend dancing and enjoying the vibe. The crowd was more civilized than just any punk night at Foufs. Although I still went up to the balcony to be able to see everything. The first act of the night for me was a trio from Buffalo, NY named Violent Way. A more hardcore act, with a huge Oi influence. The crowd was going pretty wild for them. Some people only show up to these festivals to mosh or get ridiculous in the pit. For this fest it was different, more friendly and everyone had each other’s backs. I saw a few almost-fights break out but they ended in a cheers or a hug.
Next up was a band I was excited to get to see; The Outcasts formed in 1977 in Belfast Ireland. The room wasn’t as full as I thought it would be for such living legends in the punk scene. With tons of energy, they played their hearts and eventually filled up the room. Even doing a great cover of The Clash’s Total Control. Their song Self Conscious Over you had the crowd singing along to their love song. Afterwards, I went to talk to them at their merch table and bought a shirt but was hoping to go home with vinyl. They were real cheeky Irish lads, as if they never grew up, I guess punk does keep you young at heart. (I even was gifted a sneaky kiss on the lips from the lads.)
The headliners of day one were already next, Komintern Sect from Paris, France. A band that had its early start in 1980 and disbanded in 1986. Only to return in 2014 to continue what they started. Very politically charged Oi, they sing primarily in French with a couple of titles in English. The crowd was loving them it was a sea of skins and Chelsea cuts and polos. They had stage divers flying left and right, finding any place left amongst the crowd to surf. The singer Karl had been walking around most of the night and even enjoying himself with the fans in the crowd during other sets. With a smile ear to ear, he seems to be having a great time. As did I, spending the rest of the evening with the Dj spinning some deep cuts, smiling ear to ear like Karl.
Learning some lessons from the previous night, I made sure to get there at least an hour earlier. No problems getting in but the line was even longer eventually for day two. Finding out that people had travelled from everywhere to be here was humbling. Hearing stories of how they just don’t have festivals or lineups compared to this one.
A local solo artist from Verdun named Alex Pacquette, playing tonight with a full band, began the night off smooth. A blend of folk and reggae is what he had to offer. He had a pretty big following and it was a nice slow transition to begin the night.
Up next all the way from Germany, Brechraitz. The singer came out to break the ice saying, “We are the Germans,” as he did his best to speak English and explain how excited he was to be here on their first North American visit. Regardless of language, I still felt through their music what they were conveying. That’s what makes this style of music so universal and unites us all.
A band had been looking forward to seeing was next. Bromure, hailing from France as well was a huge highlight of this festival. When it comes to saxophones in oi music, it captures the unique sound of the time this music came to be. I couldn’t stay still, for the amount of energy they were giving off. The floor and pit was madness, I don’t think there was a single soul not moving down there. I was tired from the first night of staying out late, closing the bar dancing the night away to the DJs, but these guys gave me the kick of energy I needed. I was thrilled they played the earworm song 50/50 that had been on repeat for days beforehand in my living room. In writing this review, I found out the song is actually a cover, a completely different take on it, and discovered another band at the same time.
The band that most in the underground scene know or even know a member of, The Prowlers were up next, playing in front of their hometown fans. Existing for over two decades, they are the heart of the Montreal oi scene. Having witnessed them opening for Cock Sparrer and many other legendary bands to come through our fine city. Of course, the room was completely full and chaotic for them. Friends in the music scene all catching up in the pit. They always play a solid set and this one was no exception.
Rixe, another from Paris, who also opened up for Cock Sparer the last time they came to town, was the one I heard the most about. With members from other bands such as Lions Law, they were the band that a lot of people were in town to see. This trio was really tight, with no gimmicks upbeat oi. The audience was singing along and chanting the lyrics. There was less and less room to even move downstairs as everyone packed in for them.
Taking the small Foufs stage next with eight members, 8’6 Crew from Paris, France. A skinhead band with two great albums, and after tonight they sold out of all their albums. With their brand fast forward traditional ska, skinhead reggae and oi, they had everyone skanking up a storm, burning off some pandemic pounds at the same time. This music just makes your soul feel good. It was so refreshing to have a show like this seeing all ages enjoy themselves. At some point during their set, I dropped my phone and that’s how phoneless Sam came to be. It was well worth it though, no regrets.
I hope we get to see a lot of these bands again in Montreal. Living in a city that has its fair share of language problems, this was a weekend where we could forget about all that and just enjoy the music together. Can’t wait until the next one.
Review – Sam Morris
Photos – Kieron Yates
