The Panic Manual

FME Review: Population II, August 29, Bonsound House

Posted on

30 Aug 2025

Paul

Regular readers of this site will be well aware of Panic Manual’s love of SXSW, the annual festival held in Austin each March showcasing acts from around the world. One of our favourite things about SXSW is the day parties where, aside from the chance to check out great bands, there’s also plenty of opportunities to grab some free food and drink. And I’m happy to say that FME also found room for some day parties, with Friday kicking off on a strong note at the Bonsound BBQ – a gathering where, in addition to beer, hot dogs, and potato salad, we were treated to an incredible set from Population II.

The venue itself was the perfect setting for the Montreal trio’s heavy, exploratory psych rock, with attendees gathered poolside by a house on the lake surrounded by a beautiful garden while hotdogs were grilled nearby.

While I’ll admit that, as an Anglophone, much of the band’s stage banter was lost on me, I did enjoy one song intro that made for an amusing and perfectly nonchalant way to introduce the next track: “La prochaine chanson … c’est la prochaine chanson.” But while their onstage banter and general demeanor may have seemed laid-back, the music itself was anything but. I’ve seen the band a handful of times now, and every time their heavy, trippy psych sound just seems to keep getting better and better.

FME Review: Billie du Page, Crasher, UTO, August 28

Posted on

29 Aug 2025

Paul

Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (FME) has been going on for 23 years now, bringing a wide ranging lineup of cool new and emerging music to the Northern Quebec city of Rouyn-Noranda. Going into this festival, I knew a handful of the names but there were quite a few more whom I wasn’t overly familiar with, especially the Francophone acts – which at FME, means most of them.

One of those artists was Billie du Page, though I quickly realized I had seen her before, during the Canada Day celebrations broadcast on CBC this past July, where he performed her song “Fake Friends” while flanked by a posse of colorfully dressed dancers. I’m showing my age here, but watching du Page open the FME mainstage on Thursday evening got me thinking about the days when an artist like Mitsou – or more recently (but still a long time ago) Coeur de Pirate – could cross over to the Anglo market. A charming and assured performer, du Page seems to have that same potential for crossover appeal, if given the chance.

From there I moved over to Cabaret du Dernier Chance to take in Crasher’s show. Their set started out promising enough with a trippy, hazy kind of sound that had hints of David Bowie by way of Mac Demarco and Ween. Then, midway through the set it’s like they hit a switch that kicked things up to the next level with the song “Nice Guise.” From there it was synth dance punk overdrive turned up to 11. Quite literally – according to Airick Asher Woodhead, the trio were so loud that they blew out the venue’s subwoofer during their set. Also, on a side note the drummer looked a bit like Richard Ayoade gone post-punk. Good stuff.

Following Crasher, UTO kept the weirdo electronic vibes going with a very dramatic and performative show. With the house lights off, the duo were lit mostly by handheld flashlights and wearing neon clothes that glowed in the dark under Cabaret de la Derniere Chance’s lights. UTO put on a fun and entertaining – albeit practically unphotographable – show.

All in all, the first night at FME delivered on the festival’s reputation for uncovering gems and delivering unexpected delights. If this was any indication, the rest of the weekend promises more standout moments from artists worth watching.

Song of the Day: Heartworms – Celebrate

Posted on

28 Aug 2025

Paul

“Celebrate is the latest single from London’s Heartworms, taken from their debut album Glutton for Punishment, out now via Speedy Wunderground, Check it out.

Song of the Day: Austra – Math Equation

Posted on

27 Aug 2025

Paul

Austra are back with a new track, “Math Equation,” taken from the Toronto band’s upcoming album Chin Up Buttercup, out November 14 via Domino Recording Co. Check it out.

Song of the Day: Wolf Alice – Thorns

Posted on

22 Aug 2025

Paul

Today sees the release of The Clearing, Wolf Alice‘s fourth full-length album. The album finds the London four-piece leaning into a lush, ’70s-inspired sound that suits them quite well.. Check out the lyric video below for the album’s opening track, “Thorns.”

The Clearing is out now via RCA Records.

Song of the Day: Living Hour – Waiter

Posted on

21 Aug 2025

Paul

“Waiter” is the latest single from Winnipeg’s Living Hour, taken off their upcoming fourth full-length album Internal Drone Infinity. Check it out.

Internal Drone Infinity is out October 17th via Keeled Scales, Paper Bag Records & Beloved Records.