There's a new spot to see live music, lounge around and even get a bite to eat in Montreal. Sharing a founder with Arbutus Records, Le Système found its home in Plaza St-Hubert in late June.
Sebastian Cowan founded Arbutus in 2009 after spending years promoting DIY shows. Now, he's pivoting back to the live music industry, opening Le Système as a venue, bar and restaurant in the same building that Arbutus calls home.
Citing his vast taste in music in an interview with Cult MTL, Cowan says he'd like programming to reflect Montreal's eclectic scene, even all on one bill. "I might have a punk band, but then I'll also book a soft rock band, and then a DJ. By having that diversity of programming, these people are pulling from three very distinct scenes."
"Your room is full, because it's not just the same peer group coming out — it's three different groups of people," he continued. "More importantly, these people are now meeting each other, so you have new connections being made. Maybe two people that have never met fall in love, or start a band, or start some other sort of enterprise. That, to me, is what's really exciting and inspiring about these kinds of physical spaces."
While Le Système has already started hosting events, they're still waiting to open food service and install an outdoor terrace. Cowan also hopes to host more artists under the Arbutus umbrella for shows in the near future.
Visit Le Système at 7119 St-Hubert Street.
Sebastian Cowan founded Arbutus in 2009 after spending years promoting DIY shows. Now, he's pivoting back to the live music industry, opening Le Système as a venue, bar and restaurant in the same building that Arbutus calls home.
Citing his vast taste in music in an interview with Cult MTL, Cowan says he'd like programming to reflect Montreal's eclectic scene, even all on one bill. "I might have a punk band, but then I'll also book a soft rock band, and then a DJ. By having that diversity of programming, these people are pulling from three very distinct scenes."
"Your room is full, because it's not just the same peer group coming out — it's three different groups of people," he continued. "More importantly, these people are now meeting each other, so you have new connections being made. Maybe two people that have never met fall in love, or start a band, or start some other sort of enterprise. That, to me, is what's really exciting and inspiring about these kinds of physical spaces."
While Le Système has already started hosting events, they're still waiting to open food service and install an outdoor terrace. Cowan also hopes to host more artists under the Arbutus umbrella for shows in the near future.
Visit Le Système at 7119 St-Hubert Street.