The summer of festivals in the regions of Quebec

This text is part of the special section C’est l’été

Summer is conducive to beautiful getaways, whether touristic or artistic. Here are some itineraries that criss-cross Quebec roads to the rhythm of festivals.

Vibrant Gaspesie

The Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée is a must in the region, an event really like no other. We’ve been going there for 40 years now to applaud French-speaking artists from all walks of life according to the tides and beautiful encounters. It must be said that every year, for a little over a week, time stands still in this northernmost part of Gaspésie in favor of a unique, warm and festive atmosphere, transcended by music. How can we forget the intimate shows given in front of the sea or the discussions with the inhabitants of the area, the regulars and the curious in the early morning around a good fire?

This summer, from July 28 to August 5, Gaspésiens and their guests will have the opportunity to discover an eclectic program on stage, including the winner of Francouvertes 2023, Jeanne Côté, Kanen, Ariane Roy, Velours Velours, Lydia Képinski, Natasha Kanapé, Vincent Vallières, Gregory Charles, Louis-Jean Cormier and Richard Séguin, without forgetting Alan Côté, to whom we owe the festival… From the Vieille Forge to the Shed in Léon, via the Chapiteau, Petite-Vallée once again promises more to be animated!

Around Saint-Jean, Baie-des-Chaleurs hosts the young BleuBleu festival. From June 22 to 25, head to Carleton-sur-Mer for a series of diverse and varied concerts with, in particular, Marie-Pierre Arthur, Emma Beko, Lesser Evil, CRABE and Goodbye Karelle, the musical project of actress Karelle Tremblay . Also note the free National Day show, where Les Louanges, Greg Beaudin and Rau Ze are expected, as well as La Nuit Shift Radio, which will see several DJs follow one another until dawn.

BleuBleu is also an opportunity to gather in atypical places, such as the Cabane-à-Eudore and the chapel of Mont-Saint-Joseph, and to attend unifying activities (Mussels & Fries dinner, beach games , craft market, etc.) between the local community and visitors.

From August 10 to 13, the 19^e festival Musique du bout du monde takes over the whole of Greater Gaspé and offers, among others, performances by Pamela Rooney, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Bon Enfant, Zach Zoya and Naxx Bitota. Since 2003, its objective has been to diversify the regional music scene, and festival-goers flock there above all to have the chance to attend the show at Lever du Soleil in Cap-Bon-Ami, in the majestic Forillon National Park, guaranteed this year by Klô Pelgag. Always a great moment of emotion, in the spray of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, of course.

Charlevoix and its unmissable Festive!

Let’s say it right away: the Festive! of Baie-Saint-Paul, including the 14^e edition is held from July 20 to 23, presents one of the most interesting programs of the summer. Violett Pi, TOPS, Milk&Bone, Safia Nolin, Bibi Club, La Sécurité, Hippie Hourrah, Jean-MichelBlais, Daniel Bélanger, Patrice Michaud, Backxwash, Narcisse, DVTR… the list of local artists who will be there is simply impressive, and this is just a preview! On the international side, the group DakhaBrakha, from Ukraine, and Amyl and the Sniffers, from Australia, will also perform in the charming little town of Charlevoix County.

Remember that the Festive! has been drawing crowds since 2009 and its popularity continues to grow. If Baie-Saint-Paul has only 7,500 inhabitants, the 2022 edition brought together some 40,000 people. This year, more than 100 shows are planned in a “sand pit”, on the quay or in places still kept secret.

A vibrant national capital

A little earlier, the mythical Festival d’été de Québec, among the deans of the province, is eagerly awaited by the Julyists for its 55^e edition which will take place from the 6th to the 16th. For 11 days, festival-goers have dozens and dozens of shows to discover on one of the four stages set up on the Plains of Abraham. World-renowned artists, such as Lana Del Rey, Christine and The Queens, Feist, The War on Drugs, Billy Talent, Allison Russell, Green Day, Jessie Reyez, and renowned or emerging local musicians: Robert Charlebois, Salomé Leclerc , Isabella Lovestory, Les Hay Babies, Lumière, Les Shirley, Sophia Bel, Teke::Teke, Vanille, Coeur de Pirate, Fuudge, Ghostly Kisses… almost all musical styles will be represented at the FEQ!

It’s party time in Trois-Rivières

Make way for country music with the very first edition of the Saloon festival, which takes place in Trois-Rivières on June 9. Brett Kissel, Laurence St-Martin, Francis Degrandpré, René Hamel and The Reklaws will give concerts on the banks of the Saint-Laurent, and the festival announces a very cowboy atmosphere with numerous activities and contests.

From June 29 to July 9, FestiVoix, which is back for a 30^e edition, offers residents and tourists a hundred shows spread over fifteen locations in the Mauritian city. Pierre Kwenders, Martha Wainwright, Laurence Jalbert, Kain, La Chicane, Naomi, Le Couleur, Gab Bouchard, etc. Here again, the river setting serves as a setting for numerous musical performances.

The end of the summer will also be marked by Trois-Rivières en Blues, which is celebrating its 15^e anniversary from August 24-27, with performances by George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Ana Popovic and JP Soars.

These festivals that are also worth seeing

Until June 3, it’s in Rouyn-Noranda that it’s happening, with the 19^e edition of the World Guitar Festival in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, which notably receives musicians Daniel Lanois — who also recently collaborated on Tinariwen’s excellent latest album —, Louis-Jean Cormier — under the spotlight since the announcement the return of Karkwa — but also Scott-Pien Picard and Hanorah.

A little later, from June 15 to 18 on the North Shore, music lovers have an appointment at the Festival de la Chanson de Tadoussac. For his 39^e edition, it hosts many artists, such as Les Soeurs Boulay, Lysandre, Katia Rock, Zouz, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire and Elliot Magino.

And then, on July 6, 7 and 8, music lovers will be delighted with the La Noce festival. Under the theme of the Wooden Wedding, the celebrations of the festival held in Saguenay will be animated day and night by Gabrielle Shonk, Pelada, Silverio, Fernie, Calamine or even P’tit Belliveau.

Finally, the Tremblant International Blues Festival will make its participants tremble from July 12 to 16, with a succession of free family concerts. On the program, in particular: Sugaray Rayford, Delgres, Dumpstaphunk, Southern Avenue. Five bewitching days in the spirit of the pedestrian village!

This content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, relating to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.

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