ItalfestMTL is proud to announce that legendary Montreal guitarist Frank Marino – who returns to a stage after many years – will headline a rare free outdoor concert in the heart of Little Italy on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 9:15pm, as part of the opening weekend of ItalfestMTL 2026.
The concert, free to the public, will transform Little Italy into a vibrant open-air celebration of music, culture, and Montreal heritage, bringing together festival-goers, music lovers, and longtime fans for an unforgettable evening.
Recognized internationally as one of Canada’s most influential rock guitarists and celebrated for his groundbreaking work with Mahogany Rush, Frank Marino has left a lasting mark on generations of musicians and rock fans around the world. His return to the Montreal stage for this special performance promises to be one of the highlights of the city’s summer cultural season.
Welcoming Frank Marino to ItalfestMTL is both an honour and an exciting moment. He is not only an iconic artist, but also an important part of Montreal’s musical legacy. ItalfestMTL is thrilled to offer the public the opportunity to experience such an exceptional performance free of charge in the unique atmosphere of Little Italy.
Frank Marino was born as Francesco Antonio Marino on November 20, 1954, in Montreal. Of Italian and Arab heritage, he was one of five children and left school after the seventh grade, including a brief period in military school.
During the late 1960s, Marino was immersed in the hippie culture, peace movement, and the music of Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, and The Beatles. His experimentation with LSD led to a powerful psychedelic experience that resulted in hospitalization. That experience became the foundation of his musical vision and inspired the name Mahogany Rush. The album artwork for Child of the Novelty and Strange Universe was created as a visual interpretation of that experience by artist Ivan Schwartz.
Because Marino played in a style similar to Hendrix and his drug-related experience became known publicly, rumours emerged claiming that he had inherited Hendrix’s spirit after a coma or accident. Marino repeatedly denied these stories, explaining that he simply learned to play guitar while recovering from his psychedelic experience. The guitar became a therapeutic focus that helped him cope with the aftermath of the ordeal.
A few years later, after performing with various bands and playing covers of artists such as Pink Floyd, Cream, Johnny Winter, and others, he recorded his first album.
Although Marino never achieved mainstream commercial success, he developed a loyal and dedicated fan base over the years. Sober for more than 35 years, he has remained deeply committed to music, writing, arranging, and producing his own recordings. Known for his passion and authenticity, he continues to be admired for his energetic live performances and unwavering dedication to his craft.
The concert will take place on the festival’s main stage during the opening night festivities of ItalfestMTL 2026, which runs from August 7 to 16 across several Montreal neighbourhoods with concerts, cultural programming, gastronomy, fashion, cinema, and community events celebrating Italian culture and its influence in Montreal.
Friday August 7th, 2026 at 9:15pm
Mastro & San Daniele Stage
Jean-Talon and Saint-Laurent Boulevard Corner
ItalfestMTL is one of Montreal’s leading cultural festivals, celebrating Italian culture, gastronomy, music, and lifestyle through a diverse and inclusive program of free and ticketed events presented across the city.
To see the full list of ItalfestMTL events, visit: www.italfestmtl.ca