A grip of XLR8R-approved artist will descend on theaters, lofts, loading docks, and traditional venues around Montreal in October, for the sixth edition of Pop Montreal, the city’s annual music, film, and arts festival.

The festival organizers have covered their musical bases quite thoroughly (and organized the festival’s events page extremely well!), enlisting over 300 artists from multiple genres to take the various stages. Animal Collective shares space with Eric Copeland of Black Dice, the Beastie Boys and Chromeo go head-to-head (???), and A-Trak and DJ Mehdi tag team, accompanied by Kid Sister and Ed Banger’s Kavinsky. Meanwhile, Cadence Weapon, DJ Krush, Simian Mobile Disco, Echo a Mano, and Caribou make up only a fraction of the remaining artists on the bill (fanatics can check the full lineup here). Art and fashion shows, as well as film screenings, round out the festival.

Past festival attendees have the opportunity to win free passes to the show by telling a story of their best or worst Pop Montreal experience. Not that $80 is much to throw down for a five-day event featuring this many artists. Still, free passes are free passes.

Pop Montreal takes place Wednesday, October 3 – Sunday, October 7, 2007, at various locations in Montreal.

Caribou, A-Trak, and Yo Majesty