From blues rock legends and soulful jazz tributes to punk mayhem and Afro-house all-nighters, this weekend’s live performances offer something for every rhythm, mood, and music taste. We’ve scouted the standout shows from Thursday through Sunday, including one of the summer’s most anticipated Piknic Électronik lineups.
Ready to move, sway, or headbang? Here are the acts worth stepping out for.
Brought to you by MontrealNightlife.com
🍕 Restaurant of the Week: Balboa Pizzeria
📍 Address: 55 Rue de la Commune Ouest, Montréal, QC H2Y 2C7
Opened in June 2025 in the vibrant heart of Old Montreal, Balboa is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for pizza lovers, cocktail seekers, and anyone looking to embrace the joy of great Italian food in a cozy, stylish setting. Located steps from the waterfront on Saint-Paul Street, this spacious yet intimate pizzeria is all about balance: chic without being pretentious, fun without being loud, and wildly delicious without taking itself too seriously.
The concept comes from Thomas Vernis and the powerhouse Tomahawk Group—the minds behind Santos, Mignon, Matí, Negroni Room, Buvette Pastek, and more. True to their pedigree, Balboa is designed as a generous, festive space, the kind of place where people can linger for hours, share plates, clink glasses, and maybe order just one more pizza.
The décor—imaginative and welcoming—is the work of Amlyne Phillips (La Chambre Design), who envisioned a space that feels like a trendy Italian grandmother’s living room: warm wood tones, retro light fixtures, pops of artful whimsy, and plush seating that invites you to stay a while. It’s 75 seats of stylish comfort, and somehow, it always feels like the perfect temperature in the room.
🍽️ What to Order:
At the heart of Balboa is the wood-fired pizza oven, and it delivers big. The crusts strike that sweet spot between crispy and chewy, and the toppings range from nostalgic to wildly inventive.
- The Mortadella & Pistachio – with pillowy stracciatella, roasted pistachios, lemon zest, and hot honey. Salty, creamy, nutty heaven.
- The Margherita – simplicity done right, with house-made tomato sauce, fior di latte, fresh basil, and olive oil.
- The Salsiccia – spicy sausage, broccolini, garlic confit, and chili oil on a base that punches above its weight.
- The Funghi – truffle cream, mushrooms, taleggio, and thyme. A crowd-pleaser that turns earthy into elegant.
Beyond the pizzas (ranging from $22 to $30, and worth every cent), chef Arnaud Rosboch (Anemone, Hoogan & Beaufort, Manitoba) offers a menu of thoughtful antipasti, rich share plates, and elevated classics. Think roasted octopus with Calabrian chili, beef carpaccio with Parmigiano and arugula, or burrata with seasonal veggies.
🍸 Drinks to Match:
Behind the bar, Khaled Elattare builds a vibrant, Italian-inspired cocktail program. Try the Limoncello Spritz for something light and zesty, or go full classic with a perfectly stirred Negroni. Espresso martinis are smooth and balanced—ideal for your second wind. The wine list, curated by Arnaud Chiasson Poirier, leans European (with a strong Italian showing) and ranges from $60 to $180, offering good picks at every tier.
Whether you’re starting your night in Old Montreal or ending it with a slice and a spritz, Balboa is the place to be. Comforting, chic, and full of flavour—it’s your new Italian go-to with serious soul.
🔗 Visit Balboa’s website
📖 See the full menu
📝 Read the Tastet review
🎤 Performances of the Week
From blues rock legends and soulful jazz tributes to punk mayhem and Afro-house all-nighters, this weekend’s live performances offer something for every rhythm, mood, and music taste. We’ve scouted the standout shows from Thursday through Sunday, including one of the summer’s most anticipated Piknic Électronik lineups.
Ready to move, sway, or headbang? Here are the acts worth stepping out for.
Brought to you by MontrealNightlife.com
Thursday July 3rd
🎸 Bad to the Bone Blues Rock: George Thorogood & The Destroyers at MTELUS
Blues rock royalty storms the MTELUS stage this Thursday, July 3rd, as George Thorogood & The Destroyers bring their high-octane, slide-guitar-driven swagger to Montreal. With a career spanning over four decades, Thorogood is best known for immortal hits like “Bad to the Bone,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” and “Move It On Over.” His live shows are electric and unapologetically gritty—expect roaring solos, stomping rhythms, and a crowd ready to rock all night.
📍 Venue: MTELUS
🕗 Date & Time: Thursday, July 3rd, 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets available via evenko.ca
Friday July 4th
🎹 Montreal Jazz Royalty: Taurey Butler at Le Studio TD
On Friday, July 4th, celebrate Montreal’s rich jazz tradition with a performance by acclaimed pianist Taurey Butler at Le Studio TD. Known for his velvety touch, intricate phrasing, and emotional depth, Butler is often compared to the legendary Oscar Peterson—a fitting tribute, considering Butler’s own musical journey began as a classically trained prodigy who transitioned into jazz after hearing Peterson for the first time.
Expect a masterclass in modern jazz: lush ballads, soulful grooves, and breathtaking improvisation.
📍 Venue: Le Studio TD
🕗 Date & Time: Friday, July 4th, 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets available via evenko.ca
🎼 A Jazz Giant Remembered: Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet at Maison Symphonique
Montreal’s jazz heartbeat will echo through the halls of Maison Symphonique on Friday, July 4th, as the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet pays tribute to one of Canada’s greatest musical legends. This ensemble, composed of elite jazz musicians, brings Peterson’s brilliance to life through faithful reinterpretations and fresh arrangements of his most iconic works.
Whether it’s “Hymn to Freedom,” “Night Train,” or “C Jam Blues,” the performance promises to be a moving homage filled with rich textures and virtuosic solos.
📍 Venue: Maison Symphonique
🕗 Date & Time: Friday, July 4th, 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets available via evenko.ca
🌌 Nuits Bazart Presents Moblack at New City Gas
Friday night takes a deep dive into hypnotic Afro-house and tribal rhythms as Moblack headlines Nuits Bazart at New City Gas. A global tastemaker and label founder, Moblack has built a cult following through his ethereal beats and collaborations with some of the hottest names in electronic music. With releases on labels like MoBlack Records and performances from Burning Man to Ibiza, his sets are immersive, emotional, and pulsing with soul.
Joining him on the decks are Dan Ficara and Laura Scavo, two local talents who know exactly how to turn up the heat and guide the night into sunrise.
📍 Venue: New City Gas (969 rue Wellington)
🕗 Date & Time: Friday, July 4th, doors at 10:00 PM
🎟️ More info on newcitygas.com
Saturday July 5th
🎸 Punk Legacy Lives On: Strung Out at Foufounes Électriques
Get ready for a high-energy night of melodic hardcore as California punk legends Strung Out hit Foufounes Électriques on Saturday, July 5th. Blending punk rock urgency with metal-infused guitar riffs, Strung Out has been pushing the boundaries of the genre since the early ‘90s. Known for albums like “Twisted by Design” and “Exile in Oblivion,” their music is fast, technical, and emotionally charged.
This intimate venue will be bursting at the seams with pit energy and shout-along anthems—a dream night for punk fans looking to reconnect with the roots of West Coast skate punk.
📍 Venue: Foufounes Électriques
🕗 Date & Time: Saturday, July 5th, 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets available via evenko.ca
🎤 Neo-Soul Vibes: Salin at Le Studio TD
On Saturday, July 5th, rising Montreal talent Salin brings her radiant voice and genre-bending soul to Le Studio TD. Her music fuses elements of R&B, jazz, and Afrobeat with heartfelt lyrics and a warm, intimate energy that’s hard to resist. After generating buzz with singles like “Mangoes” and “Moonchild,” Salin has become one of the city’s most exciting new voices in the neo-soul scene.
This show promises to be a celebration of feminine power, groove, and lyrical vulnerability—perfect for those looking for a laid-back yet emotionally rich evening.
📍 Venue: Le Studio TD
🕗 Date & Time: Saturday, July 5th, 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets available via evenko.ca
Sunday July 6th
🔊 Piknic Électronik #8: Robert Hood, DJ Poolboi, Volvox & More at Parc Jean-Drapeau
Sunday, July 6th is another massive edition of Piknic Électronik at Parc Jean-Drapeau, headlined by none other than Robert Hood—the Detroit techno pioneer whose spiritual minimalism and relentless groove have made him one of electronic music’s most respected figures. Expect a set that’s deep, raw, and totally transcendent.
On the Fizz Stage, Hood is joined by NYC selector Volvox and local rising talent Mayfie. Meanwhile, the Banque Nationale Stage features the dreamy, lo-fi house stylings of DJ Poolboi, the upbeat energy of SUNFLWR, and a vibrant opening by Flleur.
It’s a full-spectrum sonic picnic—come early, dance all day.
📍 Venue: Parc Jean-Drapeau
🕗 Date & Time: Sunday, July 6th, from 2:00 PM
🎟️ More details at piknicelectronik.com
