Festival International de Jazz de Montréal 2025: The Shows You Absolutely Want to See

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM) is once again transforming the Quartier des Spectacles, setting the scene for a true celebration of music and blurring the boundaries between genres.

The 45^th edition of the Festival features an exceptional program at Place des Arts, bringing together established legends and innovative artists in the electrifying atmosphere that has made this major Montreal cultural event so renowned.

Headliners

This year, Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier will play host to several internationally acclaimed artists.

A true living legend of hip-hop, with a career going back more than 30 years, Nas will showcase his latest album—“Magic 3”—along with some of his greatest hits in a symphonic concert on June 29.

On June 30, actor and musician Jeff Goldblum (Wicked) will be making his way downtown with his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. This musical project, which the star began three decades ago, mixes jazz classics with American songbook standards.

Multiple Grammy Award winner Ben Harper will take his audience on a musical journey on July 2. A FIJM regular, Harper will present a unique blend of pop, reggae, soul, blues, and folk, reflecting his social commitment and modern cultural awareness.

And finally, July 4^th will see a performance by the iconic Violent Femmes, a legendary acoustic punk band that has influenced countless artists with their unique sound and honest lyrical perspective over the last 40 years.

Captivating Musical Worlds

The 2025 program also shines a spotlight on artists who transcend musical genres.

Natalia Lafourcade—winner of 18 Latin Grammy Awards—will immerse her audience in a Latin American ambience on two evenings, June 26 and 27, at 7:30 pm, in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier.

The incomparable Jay-Jay Johanson will present his new album “Backstage”—a clever mix of jazz, triphop, pop, and even a touch of easy listening—for a lucky audience to experience on Saturday, June 28 in Théâtre Maisonneuve.

Virtuoso bassist Thundercat, winner of a Grammy for his album “It Is What It Is,” will bring his unique voice to Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier on July 1^st.

On July 3, Mon Laferte, one of Latin America’s most influential singer-songwriters, will fuse Chilean and Mexican-inspired rhythms in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier.

Also on this highly eclectic menu, don’t miss the return of Kid Koala’s show The Storyville Mosquito—created during the multidisciplinary artist’s residency at Place des Arts in 2019. Six performances of this unique show, featuring puppets, music, and live animation, will take place from June 26 to 29 in the Cinquième Salle.

Craving even more jazz? Find all the shows being presented at Place des Arts as part of FIJM 2025.

Exciting Free Shows on the Place des Arts Esplanade

The festival is keeping up its tradition of accessibility with a remarkable program of free shows. The Club Montréal Loto-Québec on the Place des Arts Esplanade will showcase local talent, with daily performances at 7 pm and 11 pm.

On June 26 at 7 pm, soul and R&B singer Leonie Gray, from Lavaltrie, will introduce us to her musical world inspired by such legends as Billie Holiday and Amy Winehouse.

On July 3 at 7 pm, be sure not to miss Anyma Ora’, a multidisciplinary artist from Wendake, who performs an immersive brand of electro-pop. The SOCAN Indigenous Songwriter Award winner’s show features a skillful blend of music, dance, and circus arts.

That same evening, at 11 pm, SUUNS will take over. This Montreal group, known for modernizing rock, will whisk you away to a hypnotic world where indie-rock, krautrock, and electronic music all come together. With seven albums to their credit, their stage performance promises a memorable experience.

Finally, on July 4 at 11 pm, PyPy will bring this series to a close with a surreal and futuristic show. This unique Montreal band, blending punk, rock, and disco, will present songs from the album “Sacred Times” in a performance that is sure to blow you away!

It’s a Date!

Much more than just a festival, the FIJM now more than ever represents the very essence of Montreal as a dynamic cultural metropolis where music becomes a universal language, bringing together artists and spectators from around the world for a unique celebration of creativity and musical diversity.

Be part of it all!