Concert lovers rejoice. Pop Montreal is just two days away. Since 5 days of music, art, film, and other eclectic events can be overwhelming to sift through, we here at Midnight Poutine headquarters are going to do our best to help you out. Throughout the week we'll have previews and reviews of the fest's bests, and other handy tips for how to make it through a week of musical mayhem. If you're looking for even more instantaneous coverage, check out our twitter page.

As in years past, we're also putting together a marathon series of podcasts for your listening pleasure. One podcast for each day of the festival, starting today and ending when we collapse at the microphone from sheer sonic exhaustion. To help me through such an inane feat of endurance, I'm joined by newbie and nubile co-host Greg Bouchard, whose banter brings some much needed credibility to this circus of a show. We hope you'll find this audio guide to the festival useful. If not, Said the Gramophone have a great activity guide on the go. And don't forget the Pop Montreal site for all the latest and greatest details.

Podcast | Get the podcast here.
iTunes | Add the Weekend Playlist Podcast to iTunes.
RSS | Add the Weekend Playlist Podcast feed to your RSS Reader.
Search | Search the audio on Podzinger.

Remember. This is the 1st of a series of 5 podcasts. Pace yourself. It's gonna be a long, fun, loud, and beautiful week. Here's instalment #1 of the Pop preview on your Midnight Poutine Podcast:

The Phenomenoal Handclap Band - 15 to 20
Matt and Kim - Daylight
Ninjasonik - Art School Girls
The Cinnamon Band - Buena Vista
Bruce Peninsula - Inside/Outside
Olenka and the Autumn Lovers - Soldier's Waltz
Amy Milan - Bruised Ghosts
Bahamas - Hockey Teeth
Carl Spidla - Blackfly Rag
Elephant Stone - How Long
Box Elders - Stay

photo of the phenomenal handclap band (phenomenally not clapping their hands) by ryan muir and found on the band's myspace page. the band is one of the over 400 acts from near and far that are in town for the 8th edition of pop montreal.