Initial Shock

That’s a wrap on Initial Shock IV! What a weekend full of incredible sets and good times. The venue was at capacity on Friday (during the requisite Initial Shock heat wave), and turnouts remained good all weekend. The new 3-day format with two evening shows, a market and a matinee worked out great and will be kept in place for next year’s edition. Photos and video from the weekend are still being processed and will be shared here and on YouTube when ready. Many thanks to all artists, volunteers and attendees who helped make this a great weekend. As well as to the sponsors who helped with advertising, accommodations and food: More Noise Please, Noise Receptor Journal, Pensione Popolo, Pizza Bouquet, Rocker, Untitled zine and White Centipede Noise. See you July 2027 for Initial Shock V!

The Initial Shock market is this Saturday from 12-5pm at Casa del Popolo!

Numerous vendors will be on site selling music, books, zines, pedals, clothing, art and more: Axiom Electroniques, The Counterforce, Drainwash, FAB Press, Gracious Host, Kersplebedeb Leftwingbooks, medusiform, The Montreal Assembly, No Fate Chainmail, Pixelobotomy, Pome’s Books, Pressing On Distro, Scream & Writhe, Spectacular Optical, The VHS Closet and more.

Plus DJ More Noise Please!

The market is free for all to attend and is followed by the second night of the fest at 7PM!

Miox is Charvel in the midden.

Miox opens up the second night of Initial Shock IV – July 4 at Casa del Popolo. Tickets are available! (Less than 10 weekend passes remain as of this posting!)

That’s a wrap for artist profiles! See you this weekend!

Powerlifting Harsh Noise project formed in 2019 by Anthony Saunders (Dataclast, Existence in Decline, and sometimes Bastard Noise). Hypertrophy was inspired by the observation that strength sports and noise both demand the same single-minded obsession, going beyond the limits of what others consider normal or healthy.

Hypertrophy plays July 4th at Casa del Popolo (a switch from his previously scheduled slot of July 5). Tickets are available!

Tonight there is a special Initial Shock program on More Noise Please radio, featuring tracks from all artists performing this year’s edition of the fest, and on Saturday July 4, MNP host Jen will be DJing the Initial Shock market!

SuperJen is one-woman operation More Noise Please! out of Toronto. She is a noise show organizer, host of an award-winning radio program, experimental sound creator & DJ.

Beginning in the early 2000’s in the LES of NYC with all vinyl DJ nights at Open Air & Botanica Bar to providing tunes between acts on the main stage at the legendary Electric Eclectics Festival in 2025, SuperJen has been a DJ for over 20 years.

She creates experimental soundscapes/noise that she incorporates into her DJ sets which have been featured on compilations on Industrial Coast amongst other labels, and a full length limited edition cassette on Tower of Dirt Records in 2026.

metradio.ca/show/more-noise-please

Since 2014 D.F.H. has been the solo harsh noise output of Aught\Void co-conspirator Connor Scott in Calgary, Alberta. Slow moving heavy low end electronics currently translated as Drilling For Heaven.

D.F.H. opens up Initial Shock IV on July 3, 2026 at Casa del Popolo. Tickets are on sale!