We're just about halfway through MEG Montreal, a festival all about electro music and its derivatives. So far, we've been treated to a fantastic afternoon at Piknic Electronik, featuring DJ sets by Jacques Green, Lunice and Machinedrum, among others. We also got to witness an explosion of local talent, including fantastic bands like Monogrenade, Coco Méliès, and Our Book & the Authors. This little lady has been having a whole lot of fun.

So let's put it that way: it's been a pretty wild week. MEG is known for repping some of the most interesting electro-related acts on local, national and international levels. Gradually, it's gotten interested in more straight-up rock, which explains bands like The Balconies, an Ontario-based rock band that makes songs chock-full of catchy riffs, showing up on the lineup.

On the other side of the spectrum, it also puts out some wicked dance parties. The official MEG after-party, which took place at Divan Orange last Saturday, featured a great DJ set by the Funk Hunters, and the Club MEG featured Paris' Club Cheval alumni BeatauCue, Sam Tiba and Canblaster, all famous in their own right for their ability to make people shake it uncontrollably.

So we've been partying since Thursday. What's left, you ask? Look forward to sets by more local artists, such as Elsiane (playing with Doom Squad on August 2nd at Divan Orange), and Technical Kidman and Propofol (playing together right after Elsiane at Divan Orange, August 2nd).

If you're up for an outdoors party, then you should absolutely not miss A Tribe Called Red, a Native American DJ crew from Ottawa. They will be doing a free performance at the Place des Festivals with Foulane and DJ Mood. They mix dirty electro with Pow Wow chants, and the result is hypnotic. They're on my list.

This year, the MMOI (Meg Montreal Osheaga International) is throwing a couple of showcases our way as well. The MMOI Electro features Le Matos, Huoratron and Christine, while the MMOI Rock features Victoria-born Kandle and Aussies The Jezabels. What is the MMOI, you ask? It's an international music industry gathering, aimed at showing music professionals around the world just how cool Montreal is. The showcases will be held on Thursday, August 2nd.

And last but not least, let's not forget the ultimate closing event, MEG Boat (August 3rd), featuring DJ sets by Jesse Rose, Breakbot, and Christine once more. The ticket price is a bit steep but it's usually a smashing good time. I should know.

As always, this is just a preview but there's tons more going on, so for more info check out the MEG website.

Photo by Chloe Laëtitia L., from last year's MEG festival.