The Artis sank, the Iris prizes sank, but Louis-José Houde saved the ADISQ gala from extinction on Sunday evening.
Posted at 12:30 a.m.
Even at his 17e consecutive lap, we never felt the comedian-host jaded, out of ideas or on autopilot. He again served up a brilliant, precise and humorous opening monologue. It shows when a master of ceremonies loves his subject – Quebec music – and he injects heart and energy into the writing of his texts, chiselled to perfection.
Each of the presences of Louis-José Houde, who skillfully grabbed the poles stretched by the stars, sparked laughter in the crowd, reactive, noisy and lit. Finally. It makes a huge difference to host a party in front of a packed Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, rather than in a cold, empty TV studio.
The first part of this gala of more than 2 h 15 min was practically impeccable, excluding the blunder of Ginette Reno, who gave a Félix to the song “Capitole Funky with Jay Scøtt” instead of the song Copilot by FouKi and Jay Scøtt. This great lady of showbiz Quebecer should have worn his reading glasses. It’s a shame that she caused this type of (unnecessary) confusion on the floor.
That said, excellent idea to start the Félix ball by presenting a big trophy. Shortly after, a gigantic number by Mario Pelchat and Bruno Pelletier, who drew on each other’s repertoire to offer us the best segment of the gala. Another highlight: the pairing of Lisa LeBlanc and Edith Butler. The ceiling of Place des Arts has almost lifted.
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Bruno Pelletier, during his number with Mario Pelchat
The frantic pace slowed down in the second half with a rather painful performance from Corneille. It was also the portion where Hubert Lenoir, the star from 44e ADISQ gala, showed the best and the worst of what he can do. The best: when he paid homage to romanticism and when he spoke of the rejection of inertia and conventions. The worst: when he peppered each of his speeches with a “fucking” good evening, a “shut the fuck up”, “it’s fucking nice » or a « criss me patience, it will take more than 42 seconds ». Hubert Lenoir looked like he was playing in a bad teenage movie or in scraps of Watatatow.
This 28-year-old singer-songwriter has enough talent not to stoop to low-level provocation. He thus provides free ammunition to all his detractors.
Only 10 statuettes – against 12 in 2021 – were awarded Sunday evening at Radio-Canada. It’s very little for a gala relayed in prime time. Fortunately, the musical numbers were much more interesting and relevant than the thanks.
In conclusion ? A Louis-José Houde would be needed for each of the Quebec galas, which would thus avoid disconnection.
His gags about the ‘slow winner’, the gong in the hail or the performer seated farthest in the room have always aimed at the center of the bull’s eye. The tone was right, neither too runny nor too honeyed. I would not like to be the one who will one day succeed Louis-José Houde at the helm of ADISQ. The comparison will be cruel and devastating.
Live your country at OD
Salvatoré pizza delivery, costume party and a cheerful Jay Du Temple, Double occupation has regained its panache and its pre-scandal plumage by even offering a musical platform to our self-proclaimed cheeky tiler, Jimy, 29, aka the cowboy in the stinky sweaters.
The lyrics of Jimy’s original composition, launched during the ADISQ festivities, watch out for nominations next year, read, you guessed it, in the first degree: “c’tu trop beau to be true, y would you be too soon if we loved each other? “. Personally, any reference to Louise Sigouin’s show in a pop song automatically passes the test.
Also, Jimy hammered that he “likes to live his life like a country song”. So his lyrics won’t get bogged down in metaphors and allegories, that has the merit of being clear.
His better half Claudia, the 26-year-old accountant, melted and Jimy repeated that Claudia, “she’s a girl who has family values, who speaks with her eyes”. Did our good Jimy unknowingly quote Joe Bocan’s classic We’re talking about the eyes ?
Sunday night’s episode, better than last week’s, brought us a vibes of OD before the production erased during editing the Couche-Tard logos in the party of Halloween. After an elimination that “shocked” him, Mickaël, the 23-year-old steel installer, paid tribute to his big brother in the adventure, Jimy: “I want to be in your shadow, I always follow you”, said Mickaël, forgetting that following in his mentor’s footsteps, or following in his footsteps, was a more inspiring option than hiding behind him.
Asked why she didn’t elbow her for her favorites more, the 27-year-old hairdresser-colorist Virginie was poetically realistic: “It’s not personal to me”, said she answered.
It’s of the caliber of Jimy who recalled, last week, that “when there are things that don’t totally agree with me, I take a neutrality”. welcome to Double occupancy: Switzerland !