And we’re off! In less than three weeks, on Sunday May 22, it will be time to celebrate the return of Piknic Électronik after nearly eight months of waiting and silence under the Calder.

For this 9^th edition, Piknic Électronik has once again taken it as a personal mission to spread the good deeds of electronic music in all their manifestations. As has become our credo, up-and-coming talents and extra-dimensional explorers will share the stage alongside respected veterans, nourishing the roots of this music that is constantly evolving. On the menu for the summer of 2011: more than 100 artists eager to share their passion. We’ve got homegrown goodies and international stalwarts, live performances and, as always, an exceptional platform for Montreal artists.

New Faces and Grand Premieres

As always, the vast majority of artists invited to Piknic are here for the first time, and some will even be taking their first steps onto North American or Canadian soil to perform for the lovely people of Montreal. This is certainly the case for Julio Bashmore (GB - first Canadian tour), Luke Abbott (GB - first North American live performance), and Max Cooper (GB - Canadian premiere). Still others, such as Untold (GB) and Maceo Plex (ES - first live performance in Montreal, a rarity!), Addison Groove (GB – as part of his tour with Scuba (GB) and Appleblim (GB)) will be touching down in Montreal for the first time. As part of our annual Piknic @ Osheaga, the Montreal debuts of Girl Unit (GB), Jamie XX (GB) and Robot Koch (DE). Finally, among our own long-awaited firsts at Piknic are the mighty Sébastien Léger (FR) and Dominik Eulberg (DE)!

Bowing Down to the Pioneers

Beyond our never-ending pursuit of new trends, Piknic is also about highlighting the inestimable contributions of artists who’ve paved the way for the growth of global electronic-music scene. This summer, the Piknic welcomes more than a dozen of these venerable pioneers, three of whom will be enjoying their first sessions under the Calder: Dubfire (U.S.) does us the magnificent honor of opening the season, while Ian Pooley (DE) and Terry Lee Brown Jr (DE) follow in his footsteps in the weeks that follow. And can we say that Montreal has its very own legends to tout these days? We think so! Piknic 2011 bookings Misstress Barbara (CA) and Fred Everything (CA) fully deserve their place among the pantheon of great names in contemporary club music.

Made in Canada

Whether it’s to offer young talents a first chance to reach a broader public, or for the simple pleasure of offering up the best of what's happening here, the Piknic has always been the event of choice for new Canadian artists. The GURU Stage offers a program devoted exclusively to Canadians! This summer features, among others, Recife, Botnek, LOL Boys, Romeo Kardec, Axel Klein, Famelik and Math Rosen. Similarly, Montreal labels Microzoo, Swing & Skip, Akarien and Für Trade are each given their very own Sunday. On top of all of this, for the first time this year, three days are devoted entirely to canadian artists.

Creators of Movement

To complete the picture, Piknic 2011 features several very special live performances. Other than the aforementioned Maceo Plex (ES) and Luke Abbott (GB), fans of complex arrangements and improvised grooves are cordially invited to shake it down to the live sounds of dOP (FR), Dapayk (DE), My Favorite Robot (CA), Les Limaces (CA) and The Gulf Stream (CA).

The Programming in Detail

If the Piknic is proud to once again demonstrate that electronic music can be enjoyed without pretension, connoisseurs will nevertheless appreciate the fact that the 2011 season has ambassadors from such white-hot labels as Night Slugs, Hemlock, Traum, Border Community, Hotflush Recordings, MFR and Crosstown Rebels. For more Piknic 2011 programming details (dates, artist bios, photos and sound clips), or to explore the many collaborations that are back this year (MUTEK @ Piknic, Piknic @ Osheaga, Piknic @ Fringe, Piknic @ Canal-de-Lachine, POP @ Piknic, etc.), click here.

New Features

This summer at Parc Jean-Drapeau, an array of unprecedented attractions await them. Watch for new spaces like Mojo Terrace and STM Green Station, and the return of the Amarula Oasis and its icy fruit juices. In short, everything will be set up to create a world of fun, refreshment and thirst-eradication for our distinguished guests!

Piknic Électronik’s ninth season rolls out every Sunday from May 22^nd to September 25^th (but not July 24^th).

Until very, very soon!