Heat, storms, smog, torrential rains. The weather increasingly complicates the work of stage technicians and artists working outdoors during the summer season. Aware of this new reality shaped by climate change, festival organizers have no choice but to adapt, not without some concern for the future.
“This year, I finished the Francos with two hats on my head and four sweaters one over the other because we were freezing,” says a technician used to field work at festivals in the summer. “A week later, at the Jazz, we were dying of heat, she continues. I counted my bottles to be sure that I drank my liters of water per day. I felt unwell that night. I was shivering, with a big headache. This is the second heatstroke I have had in my career. »
With the COVID-19 parenthesis, which interrupted outdoor shows, the technical teams did not experience the gradation of changes in climatic conditions, she believes. “We have the impression that the weather has had more of an impact for two years. And it’s much more draining for the body to work outside in these conditions. »
Last summer, two technicians even escaped the worst. As they were dismantling the main stage of the Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ), lightning struck the metal structure in which they were standing. Both workers were electrically shocked but escaped with minor injuries.
The festivals are aware of this situation, and really adjust, according to the echoes of the ground that has been able to collect The duty. New habits are becoming part of the working conditions: staggered assembly times depending on the weather, regular deliveries of energy drinks and water bottles to the teams in hot weather, coolers with ice cubes and frozen towels available, air-conditioned rooms nearby, tents set up to create shaded areas, bosses who remind people to take regular breaks. So many new attentions necessary for the safety and comfort of both technicians and artists.
Rain of cancellations
“We had days at 40 degrees, it’s unbearable for the body. We stay tuned to everyone and if we have to cancel, we cancel,” says Pascale Bélanger, executive producer and production manager of Le Géant, this 50-foot-tall structure installed on the Place Ville-Marie esplanade during this 14e edition of the Montreal completely circus festival, which recently ended.
On July 6, in the midst of a heat wave, a rehearsal was canceled just before the grand premiere of the Giant’s show. The pouring rain also prompted the organization to cancel several performances. “It’s really more frequent than before. The weather has become a real concern,” adds Mr.me Belanger.
The FEQ also learned the hard way this year that adapting to this new climate reality means showing resilience and expecting more postponements and cancellations. On July 11, all concerts — including that of headliner GloRilla, replacing rapper Lil Durk — were canceled mid-evening and venues evacuated due to a severe thunderstorm heading straight for Quebec City. The scenario repeated itself two days later, forcing in particular the cancellation of the performances of the Cowboys Fringants, Robert Charlebois and Sara Dufour, who were finally able to go on stage a few days later.
The festival had also provided a meteorologist on site this year to facilitate and accelerate decision-making.
The Festif de Baie-Saint-Paul also opted for this solution this year, in order to make informed decisions. Contacted by The duty a few days before this 14e edition, the general and artistic director of the festival, Clément Turgeon Thériault, expected all the scenarios. “The first 12 years, we never had any rain. But last year, we had storms and for the first time we had to cancel performances. […] I think we should expect everything now. We have no choice but to accept and prepare,” he said.
do your part
“We have it in our teeth, this year, we are experiencing the impacts of climate change for real. Between the spring floods affected a Festif de Baie-St-Paul campsite, La Noce in Saguenay, which narrowly escaped the smog caused by the forest fires, not to mention the cancellations due to the rain in other festivals and the heat which makes the experience less pleasant. And we are just at the start of the festival season, ”said Patrick Kearney, president of the Grouping of independent regional artistic festivals (REFRAIN).
Most festivals are in “reaction mode” this year, but it’s time to think seriously about the future, he says. He also intends to make it a priority in the next meetings with the members of REFRAIN. “We must also do our part in this fight against climate change and do things differently. Many festivals have already gone green for a few years, but not all. We can do more. »
He particularly questions the trips generated by the festivals that always attract people from all over Quebec. According to him, carpooling should be further encouraged and agreements established with bus transport companies, for example. “It also takes help from the government for that. And instead of constantly valuing the growth of festivals, can we speak more of decline or stability? »