The MUSE Guide to QPop!
The QPop! Music Festival kicks off tonight for its second year running. Showcasing Canadian and student talent on campus, the festival features an eclectic mix of acts sure to please a vast range of music tastes. With QPop! festivities beginning tonight, we thought it’d be a great idea to give you the lowdown on the acts that will be playing today and tomorrow!Friday October 2ndThe StringersThe Stringers played at Qpop! last year and got props from The Journal for their lively, engaging show. They’re young and energetic dudes who draw their inspiration from bands like Arkells and Gaslight Anthem, so if you’re feelin’ a little bit of rock for Friday evening, The Stringers are for you!Find them at: The Underground- 8:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxSW_iw6S2YBorn RuffiansBorn Ruffians hail from Toronto, bringing with them upbeat indie jams that’ll no doubt get stuck in your head. In the same vein as Tokyo Police Club and The Dudes, Born Ruffians will transform the Underground into a sweaty hipster dance party.Find them at: The Underground – 9:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BlZVFqUoJ4KasadorKasador is another local fixture, with the band being made up of both past and present Queen’s students. Their catchy indie-rock choruses create the urge to sing along, even if you’ve never seen them before.Find them at: Clark Hall Pub - 9:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGDn4jBE72cToraIf Lorde, Alt-J, and Imogen Heap had an alien lovechild, it would be Tora. Dreamy soundscapes and haunting vocals come together to stir something inside you, making you move all your limbs and feel all your feels. These five guys from Australia are sure to leave a lasting impression on everyone who sees them play.Find them at: Clark Hall Pub- 10:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l-pf0TFcGsBrave ShoresBrave Shores took the radio waves by storm this summer with their electric and infectious hit "Never Come Down." Think you’re too cool to dance at a show? With this brother-sister duo from Toronto, all bets are off. P.s., if you only watch one music video from this list, make sure it’s the one for "Never Come Down."Find them at: Clark Hall Pub - 11:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCaYB2N1adcDevan and KhalidDevan and Khalid are a local duo, here to serenade us with sugar-sweet indie-pop. Their beautiful acoustic numbers will warm even the coldest hearts, so brace yourself for good vibes and great music.Find them at: The Grad Club - 10pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baguBEmU9RoMoon KingToronto is really bringin’ it at QPop! this year, with Moon King representing everything whimsical and synth-poppy about the city. Their upbeat tunes have a sinister edge that helps to draw you in, until you find yourself swaying to the music like a hippie in a fever dream.Find them at: The Grad Club – 11:00pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8XwTawnFeEAlvvaysFirst things first – it’s pronounced “always”- trust me. Alvvays sounds like the soundtrack to a John Hughes movie, and that it most definitely a compliment. Their signature brand of folky vocals and jangly pop make them hard to categorize, and even harder to forget. Whether or not you’ve seen them before, this is a show you don’t want to miss.Find them at: The Grad Club - 12 amhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAn3JdtSrnYSaturday October 3rdThe WildernessThe Wilderness won me over when they covered some of my favourite Springsteen jams a few weeks ago at the Brooklyn, and they killed it. If you were at that show, you already know that lead singer Jonas has a powerful voice and is backed by a stellar band.Find them at: The Underground – 8:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMvpYLOLw08Rural Alberta AdvantageThis indie-rock trio comes to us all the way from – you guessed it – Toronto! They have a folky edge similar to The Head and the Heart, and they’re sure to shake The Underground with their foot-stomping anthems.Find them at: The Underground - 9:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ow3-2kEX54The Attic KidsAs a band made up of Queen’s students, The Attic Kids bring the sweet sounds of mellow indie pop everywhere they go. They engage with the crowd at every show, and if you’re lucky they’ll play their unreal cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinking of You”.Find them at: Clark Hall Pub - 9:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr79IbX9Ka0Holy Mind FunkHoly Mind Funk plays rock n’ roll with a twist; imagine Rage Against The Machine meets Cage the Elephant. Their funk influence means you’ll still sweat from both moshing and actually dancing!Find them at: Clark Hall Pub - 10:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCvnsYVDV5oThe ElwinsThe Elwins had great commercial success this summer, with their song "So Down Low" getting radio play on stations across the country. They’re indie rock with a little Vampire Weekend flair, and their set is sure to be a raucous good time.Find them at: Clark Hall Pub - 11:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_BQWd-VtwI&list=PL-mVk13zGVpIXP6qxdNTLiFM329vbP3yCIvory Hours Ivory Hours plays the kind of fevered, bouncy indie-pop that just begs to be danced to. Similar in sound to bands like Walk the Moon and Sheppard, this show will be high-energy, electric, and just plain fun.Find them at: The Grad Club- 10:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M-v1-xK79EThe Dirty NilIf you’ve been scouring this list for some straight up unapologetic rock n’ roll, then you’ve finally found it with The Dirty Nil. These Hamilton natives play fast and loud, and they’ll be sure to get you on your feet for this show.Find them at: The Grad Club - 11:30pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDd6_dT5d_AThere you have it, everything you need to know about all the live shows going on today and tomorrow. Even if you aren't attending the festivities, you can vibe out in the comfort of your own home to this sampler of all the cool bands featured at QPop! this year.Yours Creatively,Paige Guscott, Online Reviewer
