An avalanche of major free outdoor shows
A major event every day!
Montreal, Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - Already renowned as THE francophone music gathering, Les FrancoFolies de Montréal now lays uncontested claim to the title “Party Central”! The musical event, presented from Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, August 9 by Ford of Canada in collaboration with Molson Dry, offers Francofans a major event every evening on the Ford stage located on the Place des Festivals. Along with the must-see Grand spectacle Ford, and the opening (Grande fête multiculturelle Hydro-Québec) and closing concerts (Événement spécial Air Transat), this year’s Francos also include 9 more incredible outdoor concerts, for a grand total of 12 free outdoor major events. Cosmopolitan, nostalgic, cosmic, folkloric, symphonic or just plain dynamic: the Francos are all that and more, every single night!
The Grande fête multiculturelle Hydro‑Québec: Corneille brings us the world
Now a Francos classic and fan favourite, the Grande fête multiculturelle Hydro-Québec returns with a selection of some of the most exuberant artists on the Quebec scene. Leading the pack: Corneille, the man who charmed both his adoptive province and the whole of France, in his eagerly-awaited return to our stage. Accompanied by an array of artists and guests including Luck Mervil, Marie-Luce, Sans Pression, Lokua Kanza, and Jocelyne Beroard and Jacob Desvarieux from the group KASSAV’, he kicks off the both the 21st edition and our series of concert events with the finest representatives of Quebec cultural diversity. Musical direction: Andy Dacoulis. Thursday, July 30, 9 p.m., Espace Ford stage.
Allo Nino, tribute to Nino Ferrer
Opening act: Alexandre Désilets
For 15 years, he had France and the rest of the world dancing to his uncompromising music, blending the comic, the psychedelic and the gentle. Those hits are still swinging today-all the more reason for this timely onstage recreation of the excellent tribute album to the French singer, with Isabelle Blais, Alexandre Désilets, Baptiste, Catherine Major, Damien Robitaille, Geneviève Jodoin, Ines Talbi, Mara Tremblay, Marie‑Pierre Arthur, Martin Léon, Monsieur Mono and Sophie Beaudet bringing his greatest music to life for a festive Friday night. First up, Alexandre Désilets-who had the whole place dancing during last year’s marathon 20 ans… dans les dents !-opens the evening with his airy vocals and soaring songs. Friday, July 31, 9 p.m., Ford stage.
The Grand rendez-vous Loto‑Québec:
Jorane and the Orchestre Métropolitain
Jorane and the Orchestre Métropolitain in the same show? Wow. In a Montreal premiere at the Francos, the musical voyager has found a most able crew of fellow-travelers, led by Christopher Donison. After their partnership with Pierre Lapointe, right here in 2007, they return to help celebrate 10 very international years of musical adventure with the mysterious, wonderfully imaginative singer and cellist. An encounter of great spirits. Saturday, August 1, 9 p.m., Espace Ford stage.
Khaled
The biggest singer in raï returns to the FrancoFolies! We haven’t seen North Africa’s Khaled in Montreal since 2005, and we needed a shot of his hot-hot-hot rhythms. His passionate vocals are musical sunshine to the coldest heart, and his spicy songs bring light to the darkest thoughts. From his international mega-hit Didi to his most recent album, Liberté (2009), he’s got the power to take us all to seventh heaven! Sunday, August 2, 9 p.m., Espace Ford stage.
The Grand spectacle Ford: Poussières d’étoiles with Les Colocs
Gangway! It’s the return of Les Colocs. One of our finest ’90s bands, their music remains as contemporary and fresh in our memories as ever. For this major Francos event, a crew of musicians including Mike Sawatzky, André Vanderbiest, El Hadji and Karim Diouf-accompanied by the Famille Botte, Quebec gumboot pioneers-hoist high their instruments and bare their souls in memory of Dédé Fortin the friend and colleague they lost in May 2000. They’ll revive their unique and memorable songbook with a variety of vocalists including Paul Piché, Pierre Lapointe, Marc Déry, Martin Léon, Sébastien Plante and Loco Locass, to name a few. Expect a mega party and a heart full of emotion. Broadcast on CBC on Sunday, August 9, 8 p.m. Monday, August 3, 9 p.m., Espace Ford stage.
Tiken Jah Fakoly
It’s the powerhouse return of Africa’s reggae prodigy, a pillar of the roots scene, the star of franco Africa. After last year’s heralded Francos performance, it would have been a sin not to invite the Ivory Coast’s Tiken Jah Fakoly back to burn up the outdoor site. The Africain returns with his social and political conscience, his pointedly engaged and crowd-stirring songs, his samples and folk instrumentation, striking a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. An event that says, simply, and forcefully, Africa. Tuesday, August 4, 9 p.m., Espace Ford stage.
Marie-Chantal Toupin and Marjo with special guest Éric Lapointe
A dream come true: the Francos unite Quebec’s two great rockeuses on the same stage for an earthquake of a special free event. And if that weren’t enough, the divas have invited Mr. Quebec-and dear friend of the Francos-Éric Lapointe to let loose on the Place des Festivals with them. A terrific trio carved hewn from the same rock-and roll. Wednesday, August 5, 9 p.m., Espace Ford stage.
Mes Aïeux
We’re all already hooked on their funklore, a daring blend of Québécois folk, modern music, exciting funk and rhythmic pop. These seven musicians fire up the evening with their greatest hits and tracks from a new album, La Ligne Orange, matching traditional airs with clear-eyed, contemporary lyrics. Next stop… fun! Thursday, August 6, 9 p.m., Espace Ford stage.
Stefie Shock, Tubes, remixes et prémonitions
The Francos without Stefie Shock? That would be like a summer without sunshine. And Stefie Shock at the Francos with a full band is twice as electrifying! It’s the eagerly-awaited return of a formula perfectly suited to tracks from his remix hits compilation, music from his new album, Tubes, remixes et prémonitions, due soon… and, of course, to the stage. Prepare to dance the night away! Friday, August 7, 9 p.m., Espace Ford stage.
Dubmatique
Some broken-hearted fans thought they were gone forever… but here they are to help celebrate the 21st birthday of the Francos. With their fierce acid-jazz flow in full force, Dubmatique resume a breakthrough career that blew open the doors for francophone rap here, in the process making them Quebec’s most popular hip hop crew. Do we need to add that the Place des Festivals is going to rock? Saturday, August 8, 9 p.m., Espace Ford stage.
The Air Transat Special Closing Event: Joe Dassin, la grande fête musicale
The Francos pull off a coup for the closing night of this 21st edition, recreating a free outdoor version of the large-scale musical Joe Dassin, la grande fête musicale, which drew over 50,000 spectators to Théâtre St-Denis. It’s a major and acclaimed spectacle tracing the musical journey of the great Dassin, with singers, dancers, musicians, projections and spectacular special effects. Starring Stéphanie Bédard, Geneviève Charest, Martin Giroux, Steve Hanley, Joël Lemay, Julie Massicotte, Jean‑François Poulin, Martin Rouette and Stéphane Jacques. Direction: Pierre Boileau. Choreography: Geneviève Dorion-Coupal. Costumes: Mireille Vachon. Sunday, August 9, 9 p.m., Espace Ford stage.
SIRIUS Satellite Radio presents Le Rap party des Francos
Last year, our marathon-show concept (titled 20 ans… dans les dents !) was so successful that we’ve decided not only to renew the concept, but make it a tradition. It’s a closing event called the Rap party des Francos; presented by SIRIUS Satellite Radio, it kicks off at 6 p.m., this time on the Clark St. esplanade stage. Samian, L’Assemblée, Radio Radio, in a new version without Timo, Poirier and Seba, together for the first time in at least 5 years, and Loco Locass-along with some of the songs from a forthcoming album due in autumn…-assemble for a super-party that might just run into the wee hours… Sunday, August 9, starting at 6 p.m. in the Clark St. parking lot.
Thanks to the support of Industry Canada and our other public and private partners, Les FrancoFolies de Montréal can present even more major free events, thereby enhancing the tourism potential and international profile of our city-especially crucial during the current economic crisis.
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