Lugano – Moroccan-American rapper French Montana will headline the opening of “The Key Vancouver,” one of the city’s newest concert venues, during its debut weekend.
The opening weekend will feature performances by both French Montana and electronic music producer Dr. Fresch, marking the first major shows hosted at the venue.
Dr. Fresch will perform on April 3, introducing audiences to the venue’s sound and lighting systems with his bass-driven house music style.
French Montana will take the stage on April 5, performing some of his most recognizable hits, including “Unforgettable,” “No Stylist,” and “Pop That.”
Together, the two performances will showcase the venue’s production capabilities while attracting fans from both the electronic and hip-hop music scenes.
New venue aims to reshape Vancouver’s concert scene
The new venue, located near BC Place and Rogers Arena, is designed to bridge the gap between small clubs and large arenas.
With a capacity of approximately 1,000 attendees, the space allows artists to deliver large-scale visual productions while maintaining a close connection with audiences.
The venue also features approximately 3,000 square feet of LED screens and a high-end sound system integrated into the building’s architecture, allowing performers to create immersive shows combining synchronized visuals, lighting, and music.
Programming at ‘The Key’ is expected to span multiple genres including hip-hop, electronic music, rock, comedy, and country performances, reflecting Vancouver’s increasingly diverse music audience.
From chart-topping hits to global philanthropy
French Montana has built a career defined by chart success and industry recognition. One of his most notable achievements came with the 2017 hit single “Unforgettable” featuring Swae Lee.
The track became one of the biggest songs of the year and later received RIAA Diamond certification after surpassing 10 million units in sales and streaming in the United States.
Montana has continued expanding his music catalog in recent years. In January 2026, he reunited with rapper Max B for the collaborative project “Coke Wave 3.5: Narcos,” marking their first joint release since 2019.
The 22-track project features production from longtime collaborator Harry Fraud and Metro Boomin, and includes appearances from the late Chinx.
The duo also released the single “Ever Since U Left Me (I Went Deaf),” while indicating that additional music is already in development following the album’s release.
Montana’s work has also extended into film. He appeared as himself in the 2018 Netflix comedy “The After Party,” directed by Ian Edelman.
The film follows an aspiring rapper navigating a chaotic night in New York City and features appearances by Wiz Khalifa, Teyana Taylor, and DJ Khaled.
Montana’s life story was also depicted in the documentary “For Khadija,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2023.
The film tells the story of Montana’s life and career through the perspective of his mother, highlighting his upbringing, immigration journey, and rise in the music industry.
Alongside his artistic work, the Morocco-born rapper has also been recognized for humanitarian initiatives focused on healthcare and education in underserved communities.
In 2022, he received the Innovator Award at the Pencils of Promise Gala after helping raise $226 million for healthcare and education initiatives in Uganda.
