With two Félixes each, including that of Male and Female Artist of the Year, Alexandra Stréliski and Daniel Bélanger are the big winners of the 45e ADISQ gala. But it was Les Cowboys Fringants who won the trophy for heart and dignity.
Daniel Bélanger was the most awarded artist this year with five trophies: these two prizes are added to the harvest of three – Pop Album, Critics’ Choice, Directing – that he won last Wednesday, during the First Gala and the Industry Gala.
Sunday, during the gala which took place at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts, Daniel Bélanger first received the prestigious prize for author or composer of the year for his album Mercury in May, released a year ago. The category was as usual very strong, with Philippe B, Ingrid St-Pierre, Alexandra Stréliski, Lydia Képinski and Philippe Brach. The latter had no other nomination Sunday evening; he therefore completes his very good harvest of trophies with the three he received on Wednesday.
We saw Daniel Bélanger again at the end of the evening, when he was chosen Male Performer among FouKi, Ludovick Bourgeois, Patrice Michaud and Richard Séguin. ” I am very touched. Thank you to everyone who loves my work and who votes for it,” said Daniel Bélanger, who has received no less than 31 Félix awards since the start of his career in 1992.
Alexandra Stréliski concludes her ADISQ year with three trophies, since she had already won on Wednesday for the Instrumental Album for Neo Romance. On Sunday, she received the International Outreach prize with astonishment and was visibly touched.
It’s difficult to win an international award without having a heavy heart thinking about what’s happening in the world. But I always thought that we could resist through art and fight through beauty.
Alexandra Stréliski
Alexandra Stréliski ended her evening with the Félix for Female Artist, chosen from Ginette Reno, Guylaine Tanguay, Lisa LeBlanc and Roxane Bruneau. “I thank the public. If I’m here, it’s because of you. Buying a ticket, a shirt, a CD is an act of support for your culture. »
A first
Innu singer-songwriter Kanen made history on Sunday by being the first Indigenous artist to receive the coveted Breakthrough of the Year trophy, for which the finalists were Bibi Club, Calamine, Jeanick Fournier and Francis Degrandpré .
She returned to the stage a little later to pick up that of the Indigenous Artist. The one who was a finalist with Katia Rock, Matiu, Natasha Kanapé Fontaine and Shauit expressed her pride in singing in French and Innu-aimun. “We have to sing in our language,” she said, launching like her Maten colleagues on Wednesday an appeal to commercial radio stations to play more indigenous artists.
All the other winners of Sunday’s gala doubled their number of Félixes. Michel Rivard was rewarded at the beginning of the evening for the Show of the Year, a prize which is added to that of the Script of the Year received on Wednesday, all for his very beautiful Round the block. “By giving it to me, you encourage generational diversity!” », laughed the singer-songwriter who is celebrating his 50th career with this tour. “Thank you to the public who have been there for 50 years, and who left to be there for a while longer. »
The prize was presented to him by an emotional and eloquent Robert Charlebois, who took the opportunity to pay a very beautiful tribute to Guy Latraverse, to whom the evening was dedicated. “Guy, it was passion, passion, passion. And vision. Without him, we would not have ADISQ or Francos. »
Ginette Reno, who won the prize for Adult Contemporary Album on Wednesday, won the prize for Album of the Year – Popular Success on Sunday. She went on stage to loud applause from the audience, which she received with her hand on her heart.
“After 65 years, I’m still punching! », exclaimed the singer, who thanked ADISQ, her collaborators, and Jean Coutu… where her albums were sold exclusively. Faced with the burst of laughter from the room, she said “I found a friend!” » particularly well placed, then added, moved: “Thank you especially to the public who purchased the album. I’m a little tired because I’m old, but I’ve never lost my sense of wonder. »
Eight million Cowboys
After receiving the Album – Reinterpretation prize on Wednesday, Les Cowboys Fringants were crowned Group or Duo of the Year on Sunday, a category to which they are starting to become accustomed. The group, which experienced a year of great emotions, was in the running with 2 Frères, Bleu Jeans Bleu, Les Trois Accords and Salebarbes. While singer Karl Tremblay had to stay at home with his children due to illness, the three other members took the stage to elegantly collect their award.
In his opening number, Louis-José Houde had also wanted the evening to be like a Cowboys Fringants show, “dignified, strong, proud and festive”, and dedicated the gala to Karl Tremblay.
“We always said that we were 20 Cowboys, counting the musicians and technicians around us. Since this year, we know that there are eight million Cowboys,” said bassist Jérôme Dupras.
Marie-Annick Lépine underlined to what extent the group was touched by the tenderness and solidarity shown to them by the public and artist friends. “After 27 years together, we have become a real family. » “Karl, he’s for you,” added Jean-François Pauzé. I salute you, my man. »
It was Salebarbes who won the last trophy of the evening. After receiving the one from the Show – Variety/Reinterpretation on Wednesday, its irresistible Salt water gin was chosen Song of the Year, which shows how quickly the group has carved out a place in the hearts of the public.
“It’s the first song we wrote together,” said Jean-François Breau. This is the start of an adventure that continues. »