First ADISQ gala and industry gala | Daniel Bélanger wins three Félixes

(Montreal) Singer-songwriter Daniel Bélanger came away as the big winner of the first gala of the Association québécoise de l’industrie du record, du spectacle et de la video (ADISQ). The artist’s latest album, Mercury in May, earned him the Félix for Album of the Year-Pop and the Critics’ Choice. At the industry gala, held earlier, Bélanger also won a Félix for “Album Production of the Year”.

Hosted for the very first time by Sarahmée, this first gala will have rewarded the albums of Ginette Reno (It’s all me), Loud (No Promise), The Three Accords (Presence of mind) and Richard Séguin (Links places), who won the Félix for Album of the Year in their respective categories, namely Adult Contemporary, Rap, Rock and Folk.

With The people we lovePhilippe Brach got his hands on the alternative album of the year, while Angèle Dubeau took home the honors in the Classical category.

Francis DeGrandpré won the golden statuette in the Country category with his album Quay evening.

With Neo-Romancepianist Alexandra Stréliski won the Félix for best album in instrumental music.

With Like Flowers on a Molten LawnMatt Holubowski was able to walk away with the Félix for English-speaking album of the year; Natukunby Shauit, did the same with the album of the year in indigenous languages. Jazz Futonfrom Valaire, stood out in the category of multilingual and other language albums.

Homage to a “great pillar”

ADISQ also presented an Industrial Félix tribute to Rosaire Archambault for her dedication to the Quebec independent distribution market.

Described as a “great pillar of the industry,” Mr. Archambault “participated in the development and growth of companies such as Disques Audiogram, Distribution Sélect, Éditorial Avenue,” in addition to having largely promoted the expansion of retail sector by creating the Archambault chain of stores which still exists today.

Mr. Archambault was also a director of ADISQ for several years and president for one term and he sat on several boards of directors, notably those of Socan, Musicaction, Sodec, and Fidec.

The ADISQ Gala, which will be hosted by Louis-José Houde, will take place next Sunday. It will be broadcast from 8 p.m. on Radio-Canada live from the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts.