M Telus (concert hall)

M Telus

Exterior of venue (2023)
Former names	Métropolis(1987-2017)
Address	59, rue Sainte-Catherine Est Montreal,Quebec H2X 1K5
Coordinates	45.5106°N 73.5634°W/45.5106; -73.5634
Owner	L'Équipe Spectra
Operator	Evenko
Capacity	2,300
Website
Venue Website

TheM Telus(formerly known asMétropolis) is aperforming arts centreinMontreal,Quebec,Canada. It is located in the central part of thedowntown core,onSaint Catherine Street Eastbetween Saint-Dominique and De Bullion Streets, in theQuartier des Spectacles.The hall primarily features rock music groups, and is a venue for several festivals, including theMontreal International Jazz Festivaland theFrancoFolies de Montréal.

It can accommodate up to 2,350 people.The venue is within walking distance fromPlace-des-ArtsMetrostation,theComplexe Desjardinsin the west and from theSaint-Laurentmetro station. In 2011, the venue was ranked as the ninth most popular club venue worldwide in ticket sales.

In 2016, naming rights were acquired byTelus.The telecommunications company plans to invest $5 million in improvements to the club over the next decade, as part of its corporate rebranding effort.

History

The venue opened in 1884. It was first a skating rink and became a summer theatre the following year under the name "Theatre Français".

Completely damaged by a fire at the end of the 19th century, the building was bought in 1920 by an American company, the Loew's chain (now known asLoews Cineplex Entertainment), which first turned it into a theatre under the name "The Loew's Court" and then into a movie theatre in 1923. A year later, the name reverted to the "Theatre Français" before the theatre was partially damaged by fire again in 1930.

Purchased by United Amusement,it was fully renovated and decorated byEmmanuel Briffawho was also responsible for the design of theOutremont Theatre.The building became a theater again before housing an adult cinema under the name "Eros" through the 1970s until 1981, when it shut down.Six years later, under the name "Metropolis", it reopened as a dance club.

Following acquisition of the building in 1997 by L'Équipe Spectra, Métropolis became a live performance venue, hosting artists likeDavid Bowie,Beck,Alice in Chains,Les Rita Mitsouko,Green Day,the White Stripes,Björk,Bran Van 3000,Ben Harper,Nickelback,Prince,Radiohead,Coldplay,Corneille,City and Colour,Les Cowboys FringantsandJean Leloup—the artist who has performed the most concerts in the venue. Popular game showLa Fureurhas also filmed there on several occasions.

As part of a partnership withTelus Mobility,the venue was officially renamed from Métropolis to M Telus in May 2017.

Shooting

Main article:2012 Montreal shooting

In the early morning hours of September 5, 2012, following the2012 Quebec general election,the venue was the site of a victory rally for theParti Québecois.During a speech by premier-designatePauline Marois,a gunman named Richard Henry Bain infiltrated the building in an attempt to assassinate Marois. In his attempt, he killed a stagehand and wounded another man before being apprehended by police.