When Canadian Idol's producers arrive for the show's audition stop in Montreal, they already know they're about to witness something special.

Montreal's red-hot music scene was the focal point of the international music spotlight last year after both Rolling Stone Magazine and the BBC labelled the city as the next big thing.

Comparing it to the likes of Seattle, Wash. (the birthplace of grunge) and Austin, Texas (home of the esteemed South by Southwest music festival), the publicity set off a buzz that had tourists coming to town just for the shows and bands elsewhere making tenuous claims of being "from Montreal."

Indie rock acts including international sensation The Arcade Fire, art rockers Wolf Parade and post-punk outfit The Stills are based in Montreal, which boasts cheap rent and a multicultural community -- two of the factors commonly acknowledged for creating the hotbed of musical activity.

But, despite the recent attention, both locals and Idol's producers know the broth of aural creativity has been brewing here for years.

Executive producer John Brunton told Eye on Idol he loves holding auditions in this city, saying its lively spirit shows up in its Idol candidates.

"That over-the-top, show-bizzy stuff really plays here," he said. "The people are less inhibited, and there's a powerful musical tradition here to begin with -- probably the most diverse and dynamic arts scene in Canada."

He cited the example of one hopeful who sings in a speed-metal band in the evenings and trains as a musical theatre student during the day.

"People don't seem to look down on any forms of music, it's sort of an anything-goes attitude," said Brunton. "In Montreal, pop, rock and jazz don't live in separate worlds."

Idol hopeful Gavin Schwartz -- clad in a Hawaiian shirt and often seen doing a chicken dance with his friend Michael Trevisonno, who was also auditioning -- said appearing "normal" doesn't ever cross the minds of many lifelong Montrealers.

"We see so much different, we don't even know what is different," said Schwartz, in between dashes across the holding area to give high-fives to gold ticket winners.

"It's hard, trying out for this, because there are so many different styles. It is hard to be unique. You think for a while you're doing something special, but then you go to a show and it's there already."

Schwartz makes up rhymes and puts them to beats on his computer, but was planning to sing Britney Spears' "Oops, I Did it Again" for the judges. Trevisonno said he's actually more of a dancer, spending up to four hours a day making up routines in his basement.

Hopeful Christopher Bryan, 17, said it's hard to go out somewhere that doesn't double as a music venue, adding interest in competitions like Canadian Idol is a growing part of the Montreal psyche because they make stardom seem more attainable.

"I think Montrealers are a lot more interested in celebrities and the celebrity life than in other parts of Canada," he said. "People here love the busy life so it's something they find exciting."

Butcher and Idol hopeful Joe McLean said the city's music scene has a very strong sense of community that is welcoming to new artists.

"The bars close late here, so people are out more," he said, adding the extra few hours of alcohol service (until 3 a.m.) translate to more sets for entertainers, and therefore more exposure. "And there are so many festivals in Montreal, it sort of feeds the scene."

A man of diverse musical tastes, McLean said he loves that he can find any type of music on any given night.

"Everything that you can think of is here somewhere," he said. "You never get bored in Montreal."