Positioned within the small northwestern Québec city of Rouyn-Noranda, Abitibi-Témiscamingue—a spot now greatest identified for internet hosting Pageant de Musique Émergente (FME) and different festivals due to its vibrant arts scene and dedication to uplifting artists—this yr’s twenty third version of FME felt particularly distinctive.
Not solely did it collect an eclectic mixture of rising artists wanting to share their music with welcoming audiences, however its theme additionally centered on debunking myths.
From “unicorns don’t exist” to “Elvis is lifeless,” the competition celebrated creativeness, risk, and hope—reminding us that possibly unicorns, a residing Elvis, and even aliens could possibly be actual. One thing we may all use just a little extra of as of late.
For the indie and people crowd, performances unfolded at intimate venues like Café-Bar L’Abstracto and Les Mooses. These chasing digital sounds gravitated towards Cabaret de la Dernière Probability, Le QG, or Petit Théâtre du Vieux Noranda.
This yr pushed style boundaries even additional than the final, that includes every little thing from darkwave to psych-rock, acutely aware rap, experimental electronica, and naturally, loads of punk-fueled power.
Under are 5 acts that stood out stay—every transporting the viewers and proving they sound simply pretty much as good on stage as they do by your headphones.
In no specific order, listed below are artists value diving into with an open thoughts—since you by no means know what you may uncover.
Inhabitants II
Style: Pyschedelic Rock
Picture Credit score: Angela Cook dinner
Hailing from Montréal, Québec, psych-rock trio Inhabitants II is made up of singer-drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton, guitarist-keyboardist Tristan Lacombe, and bassist Sébastien Provençal.
Their stay set was equal components trippy, grounded, and curious.
Singing in French, they transport listeners straight into the ’70s with shrieking guitar traces and crashing drums which are unattainable to disregard.
With seductive top-line melodies wrapped in mysterious instrumentation that instinctively attracts you in, Inhabitants II is greatest skilled stay—the place their music utterly takes over the house they’re taking part in.
Child Berserk
Style: Dance/Digital, Pop
Picture Credit score: Christian LeDuc
Based by producer and bassist Mano Hollestelle, singer Lieselot Elzinga, and background vocalist/keyboardist Eva Wijnbergen, and hailing from Amsterdam, Child Berserk is as visually placing as it’s sonically compelling.
They push the envelope by mixing a up to date nightclub power with the dynamics of a stay band, making a seamless dance between efficiency and pulse-driven membership music.
With a darkwave-tinged but dance-forward sound, Child Berserk delivers an instantaneous beat you possibly can’t assist however submerge your self in from the second they start.
Nevertheless, it’s frontwoman Lieselot Elzinga who actually steals the present, commanding consideration with each transfer, a performer at her very core. A must-see stay and an act that retains you guessing about what’s subsequent.
Total, they’re a gaggle to look at—one to recollect as a cool rising act you found early.
Crasher
Style: Digital Punk
Picture Credit score:DMC Photographe
Subsequent up is Montréal-based electro-punk outfit Crasher, fronted by singer/producer Airick Asher Woodhead, with Kai Thorpeon bassist, and Tyrin Kelly on drums.
Whereas Woodhead’s earlier work with Doldrums and collaborations with Austra, Portishead, and Grimes have earned him recognition, Crasher isn’t nearly him—it’s concerning the synergy of this stellar three-piece.
Dwell, their power is infectious, but in individual, they’re a few of the chillest, most down-to-earth folks you can meet.
On discussing the departure from the Doldrums sound and the inception of Crasher, Woodhead explains:
“I feel I actually wished Crasher to play a extra collaborative position than Doldrums and to do one thing that was actually stay. Doldrums was about sampling and a number of manufacturing, which was actually fascinating. However throughout COVID, the thought of being with different people and creating one thing actually alive felt each loopy and exhilarating. So we began throughout COVID. We have been effervescent collectively—actually effervescent—and I had a number of restrictions on what I wished to do. I didn’t need to do an excessive amount of manufacturing: only a drum machine, singing, stay bass, stay drums. I had an concept of what I wished.”
It’s clear that Crasher is each collaborative and a tight-performing band, with Woodhead main whereas the opposite two members add their very own distinct magic, amplifying the rock-tinged digital sound they’ve crafted. A must-see stay at any time when they’re in your city.
Nadah El Shazly
Picture Credit score: Angela Cook dinner
Initially from Cairo, Egypt, and now based mostly in Montréal, Québec, artist, producer, and movie composer Nadah El Shazly delivered a set so otherworldly that it was almost unattainable to divert your consideration from the stage.
An electrical harpist joined her on stage, including to the ethereal, magical high quality of her efficiency.
As a robust songstress and performer, she had the viewers transfixed, swaying in place, utterly immersed in her sound.
It didn’t matter should you couldn’t perceive the lyrics—the emotion was simple.
At one level, El Shazly introduced that her laptop had stopped working, and she or he selected the spot to proceed the efficiency with simply her vocals and the electrical harpist.
She leaned into an improvisational transition rooted in Arabic music, together with a mode from Egypt referred to as taqsim—a melodic solo that usually makes use of quarter-tones and regional scales, or maqamat, to create a deeply emotional and cathartic expertise.
Vocally and melodically, her efficiency set her aside from the opposite competition acts. Nadah El Shazly is a lady so commanding stay that you simply really feel each lyric and melodic thread nearly immediately, even with out understanding the phrases.
Automelodi
Style: Synthpop/Darkwave
Picture Credit score: Christian LeDuc
Formally shaped in 2006, Automelodi is the truth is the logical continuation of the electro-pop strategy began within the late 90s by Xavier Paradis underneath the pseudonym Arnaud Lazlaud.
Typically described as Unattainable Folks, Automelodi blends twentieth-century influences with fashionable experimentation.
Think about the poetry of French singer of avant-garde artist Brigitte Fontaine recited over off-kilter Italo-Disco or layered atop manipulated Japanese synths, making a high-energy alternate.
Dwell, Automelodi instructions the room—his world unfolds, and the viewers is solely alongside for the trip.
Closing the competition as its remaining act, Automelodi earned this spot for good motive—his music is a trance-like, uplifting social gathering the place you’ll understand your hips are shifting earlier than your mind catches up.
Automelodi supplied greater than a efficiency—he delivered an expertise, one which makes it clear why he’s been doing this for therefore lengthy.
As all the time, compiling an inventory of favorites isn’t any simple process. With over 80 scheduled and pop-up performances throughout this yr’s competition, there have been numerous intriguing exhibits to select from.
Honorable mentions go to artists like Tremendous Responsibility Powerful Work, Bibi Membership, Magi Merlin, Ariane Roy, Child Volcano, Alice, Oui Merci, Wizaard, The OBGMs, and N Nao.
Returning to cowl FME for the second yr, it’s secure to say I’ve caught the competition “illness,” as locals name it—the irresistible urge to maintain coming again for extra
Join with the artists: Inhabitants II, Child Berserk, Crasher, Nadah El Shazly, and Automelodi