Watching the talented Krystel Mongeau go on the stage of the Théâtre Capitole de Québec on Friday evening, the conclusion quickly became clear: the Quebec public made an informed choice by crowning her grand champion of the 2022 season of Star Academy.
• Read also: Cultural events in the capital
• Read also: Here are 10 Quebec albums planned for 2023
• Read also: Krystel Mongeau is preparing her first album: “I discovered that I was an author”
Like a fish in water on the boards and not shrinking from any vocal challenge, the 26-year-old Sherbrooke resident, who is due to launch a first album in 2023, showed that her star was ready to shine during the premiere of the tour of finalists for the last season of TVA’s popular musical talent show.
Alongside the one the public had adopted to the point of saving him every time he was endangered, the Madelinot teenager Éloi Cummings, Krystel was impeccable.
MARCEL TREMBLAY / QMI AGENCY
Twice, the spectators stood up to applaud him, and rightly so. As on TV, his interpretations of two pieces that are not within reach of all the vocal cords, Again and again And I am just a songwere amazing.
The one who notably made her classes within Quebec Issime is a chameleon. Just responsive enough to touch controls I Won’t Let Goby Rascal Flatts, this country fanatic then transitioned with ease into a more rock register by tackling Tonight we dance in Naziland.
MARCEL TREMBLAY / QMI AGENCY
Over the years, the winners of Star Académie have rarely been those who have had the most glorious careers. Think of Marie-Mai, Andréanne A. Malette or Mélissa Bédard, who have all surpassed the champions of their cohort.
Krystel Mongeau could well reverse the trend.
Not at the same stage
In the circumstances, comparisons with Éloi Cummings, whom she calls her little brother, are necessarily unfair. The two artists are simply not at the same stage in their development.
MARCEL TREMBLAY / QMI AGENCY
At 17, the endearing young man, who is in the process of taming the scene, has had good and bad times.
He did best in his solo songs. Her Say Somethingtaken from Justin Timberlake, was well rendered, as was his rereading of When men will live on love.
His lack of experience came out during the duets, especially during the now unavoidable Shallow And A bit higher. More retiring, we were able to measure the path he still has to go to reach Krystel’s artistic maturity.
Let’s give it time.
Too many classics
That said, this well-paced show avoids low spots. However, it would have been interesting to opt for a musical selection, let’s say, more contemporary.
Piaf, Trenet, Aznavour, Cash, Parton, Harmonium, Piché: the obligatory potpourri of this type of show (country, Quebec, French, duos) were largely made up of classics from the last century.
Why not offer them the opportunity to rub shoulders with more successes of their generation, as they did by covering Chris Stapleton and Sia, among others? Mystery.
****Krystel and Éloi will be back on stage at the Théâtre Capitole on Saturday evening. For all tour dates, go to musicorspectacles.com.